Edith Wharton was an imaginative child born into a wealthy American family in 1862. She absorbed her surroundings in New York City and Europe and liked order and beauty in her world. Indeed, her first book was a successful one about about interior design. Edith married Teddy Wharton in 1885 but, other than their fondness for travel and small dogs, they had little in common and divorced after a 28-year childless marriage. She found satisfaction through her friendships with intellectuals such as Henry James, her writing, and her time abroad. Henry called her "pendulum woman" because of her frequent journeys between her self-designed home in Lenox, Massachusetts and Europe.

To me, the most interesting part of the book (and Wharton's life) involved her efforts during The Great War that broke out in 1914 while she was living in Paris. She used her organizational talents to provide work and shelter for refugees. She also delivered supplies to the soldiers on the front lines in her personal motorcar and was awarded the Legion of Honor for her tireless work.

The author did a good job of incorporating the books Mrs. Wharton was known for into the events of her life. She truly wrote about what she knew best down to the detailed descriptions of the houses her characters resided in. I don't read many biographies but this one was highly readable and made more enjoyable by the inclusion of many photographs. ( )