The mesmerizing biography of one of the world's richest, most intriguing women—philanthropist and socialite Lily Safra In the early morning of December 3, 1999, Lily Safra stood shivering in her nightgown on the grounds outside her sumptuous Monte Carlo penthouse where, just hours before, her fourth husband, reclusive billionaire Edmond Safra, died in a fire. An American nurse employed by the Safra family was eventually convicted of the arson death. Overnight, Lily became one of the wealthiest widows in the world. The Brazilian-born Lily Safra was no stranger to tragedy. In 1969, her second husband, the Brazilian multimillionaire Alfredo Monteverde, died from two gunshots to the chest. The Brazilian authorities ruled it a suicide. In 1989, her beloved eldest son and four-year-old grandson died in a car accident. But just who is Lily Safra? Despite having become a fixture in society columns for her generous charity work and lavish parties, the elegant and enigmatic widow has remained in the background. Gilded Lily tells Lily Safra's story for the first time. Using archival sources, court documents, and interviews with childhood friends and former employees in South America, investigative journalist Isabel Vincent chronicle's Safra's rise from humble origins in Brazil to fabled wealth in London, New York, and Monaco.

Business & Economics.

When everything seems lost, hope is all that remains... Gilding the Lily is a heartrending tale of two sisters and their quest for a place to belong, from much-loved author Rita Bradshaw. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Josephine Cox. Lily and Sarah Brown's childhood is an unhappy one. Sarah escapes by marrying Ralph Turner, a Sunderland dock worker, but Lily doesn't trust Ralph - a dark volatile man with a hidden cruel streak. When he tries to seduce Lily on his wedding day, her worst fears are confirmed. Ralph's younger brother John is cut from a different cloth, though, and Lily is increasingly drawn to him. But just when Lily sees a future for them, a terrible incident destroys her happiness. Heartbroken, Lily agrees to accompany the family she works for as a nursemaid to New York. As Lily boards RMS Titanic little does she realise that her decision will change the course of her life for ever... What readers are saying about Gilding the Lily: 'I enjoyed this novel. It held glimpses of an era long gone, well described and with a satisfying ending' 'I loved every minute of it' 'Five stars'

Lilly Pulitzer's pre-1985 resort wear is an American classic. This book introduces for the first time the archive of drawings that were the basis for the whimsical and timeless prints we all know and love. The brightly colored, playful prints of Lilly Pulitzer's clothing were a staple of American fashion in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s--worn by members of society from Palm Beach to Nantucket, actresses, models, and stylish housewives. One could always spot a "Lilly" with its undeniable characteristics: clean, comfortable lines; bright and vivid colors; and the fantastical design of its fabrics. Whether at the beach or a cocktail party, these simple shifts for women and girls and jackets and trousers for the gents were a preppy rite of passage. The majority of Pulitzer's fabric designs from 1962 through 1985 were based on artwork by Key West-based artist Suzie Zuzek. These designs--monkeys sipping martinis, dancing flowers, colorful seashells, op-art geometrics--were all the rage and attracted the eye of such ladies as Jackie Kennedy, Happy Rockefeller, and Dina Merrill. This book--which is a treasure trove of the iconic prints and contextualizes the purely American label--is a must-have for the libraries of those who love fashion and social history.

In this delicious new novel, Tatiana Boncompagni creates a heroine everyone will love...and no one will ever forget. As Lily Bartholomew navigates kiddie birthday parties starring chart-topping entertainment, society dinner-dances where any woman larger than a size 2 can barely stand to show her Botoxed face, and vacations to exclusive hideaways with the mother-in-law from hell, she constantly wonders, "On what planet have I landed?" After all, she's just a down-to-earth gal from suburbia who felt as if she'd landed in the middle of a fairy tale when she married Robert. He's handsome, rich, and—best of all—able to make her laugh, and she happily jumped headfirst into his world. But now Robert's lost his job, Lily hasn't lost her pregnancy weight, and their once-golden existence seems suddenly tarnished. Desperate to regain her self-esteem, Lily begins writing essays about life among the rich and snobbish, which tosses her into the spotlight and in the path of social disaster. But as Lily navigates her way through the shark-infested waters of Manhattan society, she starts to rediscover her own place in the world—and how to regain what truly matters.

A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • WINNER OF THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD • "Netherland tells the fragmented story of a man in exile—from home, family and, most poignantly, from himself.” —Washington Post Book World In a New York City made phantasmagorical by the events of 9/11, and left alone after his English wife and son return to London, Hans van den Broek stumbles upon the vibrant New York subculture of cricket, where he revisits his lost childhood and, thanks to a friendship with a charismatic and charming Trinidadian named Chuck Ramkissoon, begins to reconnect with his life and his adopted country. As the two men share their vastly different experiences of contemporary immigrant life in America, an unforgettable portrait emerges of an "other" New York populated by immigrants and strivers of every race and nationality.

Change is coming. After centuries of peace, came war; after war, came questions about the succession. What will come next? In Gilding the Lily: And Other Stories of Myrcia, see how some of the major players in the next phase of Myrcia's history became people willing to do anything to win the throne. (Includes a preview of Siege of Kings, Reign of the Eagle, Book 2! Coming soon!)