That journey culminated in a book, "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty," which he co-wrote with novelist and historian, Katherine Howe.

Cooper's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, was the great-great-granddaughter of railroad and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, nicknamed, the "Commodore." The first Vanderbilt came to the United States as an indentured servant, with no money, in the early to mid 17th century.

Generations later, the Commodore was the first Vanderbilt who made money, more money than anybody ever had made before in the entire world. 

In spite of their wealth, the Vanderbilts were "definitely, like, on the outs," Howe says.

"They were the nouveau rich, the really tacky."

It was Alva Vanderbilt, wife of William K.