I have had this book on my shelf for ages. I picked it up to read after I finished the Audible book about the Vanderbilt family, because I was really interested to learn more about Alva. Her relationship and treatment of her daughter, Consuelo, was really tragic. Alva was extremely controlling over Consuelo, and the pressure she must have felt to be the perfect little pawn her mother wanted. I believe that Alva had her best interest at heart, as far as money and furthering her station was concerned...but I do not believe that happiness and mental health were a priority or even a thought for her. Despite the things that happened between mother and daughter, Consuelo seemed to grow into a very nice and compassionate woman. She endured her marriage for twenty seven years before she was finally able to marry someone for love. This book was really well written and the research seemed quite well done. I really learned a lot from this book, and it was a nice additional supplement to the Vanderbilt book I read not long ago. It was also a dollar at the used bookstore, so I can't be upset about that.