American Dynasties

Few families in American history have sustained a place for so long in the public eye. For over two hundred years the Astor name has been synonymous with New York high society. The saga is one of wealth, tragedy, family fueds, and philanthropy. It is a saga that continues today. In the process they became one of the richest families in history. "The Astors: High Society" tells the story of five generations. John Jacob Astor was first born in Waldorf, Germany in 1763. When he arrived in America he got a job in a warehouse beating dust and bugs from bundles of furs. He was quickly promoted in the fur business and became a fur trader. Astor became quite successful and with his new bride's dowry set up his own fur trading business. He made so much money with his fur company that he invested in shipping and real estate. Real estate soon became his primary interest. Astor bought cheap farmland in New York. One such purchase eventually became Times Square. Astor amassed a large amount of property and an even larger fortune. He became the richest man in the world.

The Colorado Rockies are legendary for its breathtaking mountain views, crystal clear waters and pristine wilderness. It is also the home of the world's largest single brewery and a family whose rugged individualism, stuborn entrepreneurial spirit, and deep loyalty has made them a corporate dynasty. The Coors of Golden Colorado have developed a certain mystique both as a family and a business--a private, insulated, proud, determined and remarkably successful clan that has been tantalizing the tastes of Americans for over 100 years with their signature beer.

When John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Keith invented the corn flake just over a hundred years ago, they sparked a revolution on breakfast tables around the world. The corn flake was the product of the two brothers collaboration--but the two were as different as they could be. John was a flamboyant health crusader, Will Keith was a quiet businessman. The two worked together to invent a healthy new food, but they had no way of knowing when they toasted those first cereal flakes in Battle Creek, Michigan, that their creation would spawn a multi-million dollar industry and drive a wedge between them for good.

Chronicles the fabulous lives of Cornelius Vanderbilt and his descendants. Cornelius--"Commodore Vanderbilt"--amassed a great fortune in the 19th Century from sea and rail shipping. His sons and grandsons became great businessmen and philanthropists in their own right.