Patchwork Child

Brooke Astor's memoir of her childhood years in Hawaii, Panama, Peking, Santo Domingo, and turn-of-the-century Washington, D.C.

Philanthropist Astor, who has written an autobiography ( Footprints ) and a novel ( The Last Blossom on the Plum Tree ), here reissues a memoir of her early years, originally published in 1961 and out of print since 1982. New from the author, now in her 90s, is a revised introduction, eight pages of color photographs, additional illustrations and affecting excerpts from her childhood diaries. As the only child of a career Marine officer who was the son of an admiral and a mother from a moneyed background, her early years were privileged if somewhat lonely. Accompanying her parents to her father's foreign posts, Astor spent time in Hawaii, Panama, China and Santo Domingo. Such travels provided her with skills and polish (she spoke fluent Chinese), but she was frequently isolated and related to dolls better than to other children. Astor, whose memoir has a refreshingly homey quality, is appreciative of her parents for the love they gave her, their encouragement of her inquiring mind and the excellent education she received.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This memoir of the early life of the indomitable Brooke Astor, now in her nineties, was first published in 1962. The new edition is embellished by family photographs and some of her own childhood drawings, as well as excerpts from her private diaries. The only child of a Marine officer and his charming, energetic wife, Astor spent much of her early life living in exotic places, including Hawaii, Panama, Santo Domingo, and, most memorably, Peking. Washington, D.C., was the scene of much of her adolescence, and she provides a funny and self-deprecating account of the follies of her early teens, just before World War I. The book ends shortly before her first marriage, at 17. A keen observer, Astor provides marvelous descriptions of places such as turn-of-the century Peking and vividly evokes a vanished, more gracious era. Her insights into human nature help make the book much more than an exercise in nostalgia. Sheer delight. Mary Ellen Quinn

In this 1962 volume, Astor related her life from her childhood up until her first marriage. As the daughter of a Marine Corps officer, young Brooke traveled to many exotic locales, including Peking, Panama, and Hawaii. This "lighthearted, nostalgic memoir" ( LJ 11/15/52) remains "recommended for public libraries."
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.