Caroline Sanford comes to America seeking a new life and finds it. Caroline Sanford is the daughter of Emma Sanford who we met in "1876." She has grown up in France under the care of her somewhat demented father. Actually, her nanny raised her and her father was present.
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Caroline's father has just died and his estate is a mess. She visits America hoping to establish her right to a share of her father's wealth. Her brother Blaise stands in her way. He is working as William Randolph Hearst's right hand man to learn how to be a media mogul. He finds Hearst interesting but trying to say the least. Hearst is a young man in a hurry to be President. He will never achieve his ambition.
Caroline is taken up by the great writer Henry Adams and his best friend Secretary of State John Hay. Like her mother Emma, Caroline loves the nation's capitol, its politics and its intrigue. When she finally settles her dispute with brother Blaise, she buys a newspaper. She turns out to have a knack for it, which annoys her brother no end. Eventually, they become partners and live uneasily ever after.
Empire is an engaging book full of fascinating historical figures including Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt. Caroline is somewhat bemused by the latter and his interest in empire and world power. She is not sure that's the proper course for the US but TR's view will, of course, prevail.
Best part of story, including ending:
It was engaging and gripping; an excellent mix of fact and fiction.
Best scene in story:
The behind the scenes stuff at the 1900 GOP convention and how TR got on the ticker.
Opinion about the main character:
I like her pluck and intelligence. She was a very modern woman for her day.
