"Rogue's Gallery" Author Gross at Redwood Library

Author Michael Gross at the Redwood Library

Irreverent, entertaining, and knowledgeable, author and former New York Magazine writer Michael Gross lectured at the Redwood Library recently on “Rogues’ Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money that made the Metropolitan Museum.” Will New York ever be the same?

The behind-the-scenes, tell-it-like-it is, unauthorized look at the epic saga of the nation’s greatest museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Rogues’ Gallery: is an endlessly entertaining follow-up to Michael Gross’ bestselling social history “740 ParkAvenue”. Author Gross pulls back the shades of secrecy that have long shrouded the upper class’s cultural and philanthropic ambitions and maneuvers, and paints a revealing portrait of a previously hidden face of American wealth and power, a rich, satisfying, alternately hilarious and horrifying look at America’s upper class, and what is perhaps its greatest creation.

Mary Riggs, Donald Tofias, Janet Pell

Speaking to an overflow audience, Mr. Gross answered interesting questions regarding public ownership of the museum vs. private use (that can be bought by Board members), and he displayed an encyclopedic knowledge of the characters in the Metropolitan Museum’s historical saga, include Walter Hoving, Philippe de Montebello, and Annette de la Renta. He commented that he was thrilled to be speaking in the oldest lending library in the U.S., and added “I would like to move in.” He then signed copies of both “Rogue’s Gallery” and “740 Park Avenue” for delighted fans.

The author with Nanette Herrick

On hand were Jae French, whose husband John French aided Mr. Gross in his research on “740 Park Avenue”, Kimberly Skeen Jones, Nanette and George Herrick, Douglas Riggs, President of the Board, and his wife, Mary Riggs, co-chairman of the Redwood’s Events committee, Donald Tofias, and Janet Pell.