, Amanda Quay Blount has successfully unearthed and skillfully brought to life the colorful characters and unique stories of one of the state's most iconic landmarks. This is a well-researched and much-welcomed addition to the history of Rhode Island." -James M. Ricci, author of The Newport Bridge

On June 6, 1922, thousands of people gathered in downtown Providence, Rhode Island to witness the grand opening of the most modern hotel of its day: the awe-inspiring Providence Biltmore Hotel. Since that fateful day, the Biltmore has captured the imaginations of local patrons and distant travelers alike, providing luxury accommodation to such celebrities as Babe Ruth, John F. Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong, the Von Trapp family, Maya Angelou, the Rolling Stones, and Providence's infamous mayor, Buddy Cianci. The story of the Biltmore is a sensational drama of scandal, secrets, and high society. With characters ranging from crooked politicians and mobsters, to bootleggers and Hollywood stars, the Biltmore has provided the backdrop for some of the the highest highs and lowest lows of Providence in the last century.

Now, for the first time in its hundred-year history, the storied past of the Providence Biltmore Hotel comes to life in this meticulously researched tale of the rise, fall, and renaissance of Rhode Island's capital city, as seen through the eyes of one of its most iconic landmarks.