Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaires Club 1888-1942
Jekyll Island is a small islet off the coast of Georgia, which between the years 1888 and 1942 was the site of an exclusive club and resort of America's wealthiest and powerful men. While Splendid Isolation could be the standard tale of princes and leisure, Mueller opens the history of this island by using employees of the grounds to narrate the tale of the rise and fall of the resort. A native of Georgia, Mueller's love for the state, its culture, and its peoples shine through and her easy, unrushed tone is soothing. She also proves that the men and women who populated the isolated retreat were more than their wealth: for example, the United States' Federal Reserve had its roots in secret meetings held on the island between members. Another plus is the description of the stunning scenery and wildlife preserved on the island. Though the fictionalized narrative form may make Splendid Isolation appear a bit trivial beside other non-fiction works on the island, Mueller's enthusiasm for Georgia history is infectious, and the book is an excellent purchase for those interested in the Gilded Age and in Georgia. --Angela Tate/Sacramento Book ReviewPamela Bauer Mueller spins an intriguing tale about the powerful financiers chasing the American entrepreneurial dream and then relaxing undisturbed, at their prestigious winter hideaway in Jekyll Island. By blending fact with fiction, she brings history to life and turns the past into a dynamic place detailing how the island became an important player in world events. This book will serve as a wonderful reminder of a lovely place that could have easily been called Camelot. --Cary Knapp - Coastal Illustrated, Issue 1010Between 1888 and 1942, the Jekyll Island Club served as the winter playground for an exclusive group of this country's richest men. A new historical novel, --Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaires Club 1888-1942-- by Pamela Bauer Mueller, tells the story from the perspective of the people who worked for the club and its members. Her history is spot on and her characters are the actual people involved. It s a fascinating history and a great story. --The Moultrie Creek Newsletter