Books about the famous American business tycoons is an acquired taste. The previous reviewer obviously does not have it for this is a very good biography. It covers the full range of Huntington's remarkable life in buisness, early California ( one of the best part of the book), art collecting, and his famous library. Thorpe has done excellent research and paints a wonderful picture of California in the early 20th century. What a time to have lived here !! In addition the author's portrayal of Huntington's awesome uncle Collis ( the creator of the family fortune) is very good. The photographs are also well chosen. Far from being bored, I could not put this book down.

If you revere books and are an avowed bibliophile, then Henry Huntington is someone to admire and respect. His book collection is one of the premiere collections in the world, especially his concentration of incunabula. Huntington's mammoth collection is stored in the incomparable Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California - one of the most lovely places on earth. The permanent exhibitions include a first edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and numerous Shakespearian folios. Huntington's massive collection of autographs is also on display.

The story of how Huntington amassed these priceless treasures is fascinating: the amount of zeal and money he poured into this endeavor makes for a world class story. Unfortunately, this book doesn't focus enough on this aspect of his life. The narrative becomes slow, plodding and ultimately tedious. One wishes that Thorpe would have concentrated more completely on Huntington's mania for book collecting, a passion to be envied for those of us not blessed with being multi-millionaires. Instead he veers off into areas not particularly interesting, though his history of early 20th century California is exceptional.

Huntington's story is not one full of scintillating orgies, nor was he a riveting personal character, like Hearst. But this book paints a rather dour, boring picture of one of the greatest American collectors.