Ladies and Not-so-gentle Women

Book excerpt: Lewis follows the lives of four trailblazing women whose intertwined worlds span a century. Detailed, in-depth portraits highlight Elizabeth Marbury, a pioneer theatrical agent; Elsie de Wolfe, an interior designer; Anne Vanderbilt, a wealthy debutante who worked with the poor and sick; and Anne Morgan, daughter of tycoon J.P. Morgan and early women's advocate.