Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, and the Rise of America's Xanadu

By: Les Standiford

Narrated by: John McLain

Looking at the island of Palm Beach today, with its unmatched mansions, tony shops, and pristine beaches, one is hard pressed to visualize the dense tangle of Palmetto brush and mangroves that it was when visionary entrepreneur and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler first arrived there in April 1893. Trusting his remarkable instincts, within less than a year he had built the Royal Poinciana Hotel, and two years later what was to become the legendary Breakers - instantly establishing the island as the preferred destination for those who could afford it. Over the next 125 years, Palm Beach has become synonymous with exclusivity - especially its most famous residence, "Mar-a-Lago." As Les Standiford relates, "the high walls of Mar-a-Lago and other manses like it were seemingly designed to contain scandal within as much as keep intruders out."

With the authority and narrative prose style that has gained Standiford's work widespread acclaim, Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, and the Rise of America's Xanadu tells the history of this fabled landscape intertwined with the colorful lives of its famous protagonists.

©2019 Les Standiford (P)2019 Tantor

Great Vacation Read!

The perfect historical book if you’re planning a trip to Palm Beach! Also brings us up to today.

Another outstanding book by this author

If you stumbled on this book by accident, read all the other authors books. So well written and just generally excellent in terms of history. This particular book is good because it shows the history of the development of Florida as well as the mansions. Really enjoyable book. Once you’re done with this book, Reed, his other book last train to paradise.

Excellent history of Palm Beach

Very entertaining and informative biography on the building of Palm Beach. Refreshing to stick with facts when dealing with Donald Trump and not personal biases. I would highly recommend this books if you're interested in Palm Beach.