Meh, not great

What would have made The Hiltons better?

It focused too much on Zsa Zsa Gabor. She was only married to Conrad for a few years, but she was the main focus of the book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The new Rob Lowe book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

He was fine. Maybe a little dull.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I liked the details of the Hilton family. IF I had wanted to read a book on Zsa Zsa I would have bought one.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

American Dynasty

I didn’t know much of what I was getting into before I started reading this book. I often enjoy books centered around powerful families such as the Kennedy’s, so I thought I would give this one a go. Luckily for me, it was not centered on Paris Hilton, but predominantly the members of her family that have allowed her such a privileged lifestyle.

Conrad Hilton, Paris’s great grandfather, came from a family ethic where you were expected to work hard to earn your own path through life, without handouts or free rides of any kind. He believed in keeping the family name clean and even though he knew that he wasn’t the father of one of his children, he still called her one of his own and gave her his last name.

Naturally, I have always assumed that the Hilton’s lived off of the wealth of their family’s fortune, but was surprised to learn that this was not Conrad’s vision for his family and had there not been a loop hole in his will (that allowed his son, Barron Hilton, to contest against and win), our ear’s may have been spared the term “that’s hot” for so many years.

It was also quite interesting to learn that Conrad thought that women who spent a majority of their time hung up on doing things to make themselves look beautiful were frivolous and foolish. He couldn’t even endure watching a woman apply fingernail polish in his presence. So, of course, he wasn’t thinking very clearly when he married Zsa Zsa Gabor in the 40’s. As a result, they had two separate bedrooms.

I found it interesting how the author compared Zsa Zsa to Paris toward the end of the book, because the entire time that I was reading about Zsa Zsa, I couldn’t help but notice their uncanny similarities as well.

Although Paris claims that she has worked for everything that she has, one can’t help but wonder if she would be so independently wealthy had a sex tape of her and Rick Solomon not surfaced in 2004. I suppose it is possible with the success of her reality show “The Simple Life”, but with her arrests, possessions with marijuana and cocaine, “after going to seven different private/or parochial schools” and then “being expelled from the Canterbury boarding School” after breaking the rules and therefore later earning her GED, it’s just hard to believe that she could be as successful as she is without her last name’s influence along with her infamous sex tape.

Paris may be the most popular heiress since Conrad, but the first one she is not, by name at least. Conrad also had a daughter with Zsa Zsa Gabor although he claims that this is entirely impossible since he wasn’t having sex with Zsa Zsa. But because he wanted to keep the Hilton’s name in tact and for the sake of Zsa Zsa’s daughter, Francesca Hilton, he claimed her to be one of his own.

Francesca had no reason to believe that she wasn’t a Hilton, by blood, until an argument ensued with Conrad when she asked to live with him and for money and he regrettably blurted out this fact to her. Francesca assumed that he wasn’t feeling well and that he wasn’t serious until she sued for more money after his death and learned that he had been quite serious, as he left information regarding this belief should she later sue. This sounds horrible, but I gathered from all of the information given that he had a soft spot for her and therefore left her more money than he initially planned and he felt terrible about their quarrel.

I really felt horrible for Francesca as she had a mother who was so self-involved and a father that claimed that she wasn’t his. Then later in life, Zsa Zsa’s super creepy and attention-seeking husband, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt attempted to keep her mother isolated from her. Although she didn’t have it so easy in life, Francesca seems to have had a decent life and remarkably laughs about it in hindsight.

As a whole, I enjoyed this book. I found it to be very informative rather than biased which was quite refreshing. I particularly liked how in the end, the author did a comparison of Zsa Zsa and Paris because I can’t imagine many people reading this without doing so.

Although I have spoken mostly about Paris and Zsa Zsa as they are more identifiable, the book taps mostly into the lives of Conrad, his wives, and his children.

I definitely recommend this book although I have to add that if someone were looking for a Hilton-bashing book or for gossip that you won’t find it here. This reads more as a non-opinioned biography of the family and how they became so infamous.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not bad

Overall a nice portrayal of the Hilton dynasty, with plenty of personal, gossipy stories. Sometimes a little too detailed, fluffy and lacking in substance. But still a good summer listen. Narrator was great, too - consistent, energetic and always with the right tone.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

too long

What would have made The Hiltons better?

make it shorter

Has The Hiltons turned you off from other books in this genre?

no, I have read other books in this genre that were much more interesting

Did Robert Petkoff do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

yes

What character would you cut from The Hiltons?

I would cut everyone. Their lives were boring.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

What an amazing legacy!

I really, enjoyed reading about the beginnings of the Hilton dynasty, it was superbly written and meticulously narrated. I found after listening to this that, people, all people; no matter how rich or poor, are fundamentally the same.
I didn't know whether to love, or hate Mr. Conrad Hilton. On one hand he was driven, ambitious and completely focused on getting ahead but, very stubborn to the point of being so, narrow minded that he was cruel to those he loved; or claimed to love.
I also respected his being a man of faith, which made him unique in the business world. But, unfortunately, usually when a person is religious and ambitious and most of all as stubborn as he was; that more often then not, leads to treating others as though you're above them. And he was like that. He believed strongly in not overindulgence as far as his family, which is commendable but, he acted as if it were a "dogma" instead of a principle to live by
I admire and respect him for his accomplishments but, ultimately I found him to be a greedy, closeminded, mizer. But, it was an excellent telling of a life.

Best biography I’ve read hands down

I was not ready for how interesting this family was. So many lessons to learn not just on a business level, but also on a family level. My favorite biography this year and I encourage all who are contemplating reading it to get it. You’ll be wanting more after you finish it!

Excellent book

I learned so much from this book that I never knew. I have a renewed respect for the Hilton family and it's legacy.

Almost 10 decades......100 years

The Hiltons researched and exquisitely written. I really enjoyed listening to it on Audible. I believe you can really get into a book and feel like you're a cast member in the story when it is being read to you. very enjoyable

Fascinating

Fascinating story of a hotel dynasty.The story behind how the Hilton brand became what it is, is a lot more fascinating than it may at first seem. This book covers it well.

Truly Interesting

This was not another tell all book. Not a reality TV book. Not a story about celebrity. I have so much respect for Conrad N Hilton. He was a self made man. He was charitable. He had ethics. Was loved by his employees. Eye opening.