Rating: 
Summary: Only the rich can be this petty
Review: A behind the scenes look at some of Americas richest people. As I read this book, I laughed often. The pettyness of the rich and privledged, the stupidity of trust fund babies, and the energy these people spend on keeping up false personas is amazing. Some of the people interviewed want us to feel sorry for them as they try to claw their way up Palm Beaches inner circle. What I found particularly interesting is how much money they really raise for charity by having Charity Balls. Light reading for a good laugh.
Rating: 
Summary: More of a Waste of Time or Money???
Review: After consuming this book, the only aftertaste left in my mouth was dissatisfaction. I was unfamiliar with Kessler's writings, and I must say that this unflowing novel did not leave a good first impression. I'll just say that I am not anxious to read anymore of his writings.My purpose for purchasing this novel was to learn more about Palm Beach's society. After reading the book, I feel that I knew more before opening it. The characters portrayed in the novel do not seem to give an accurate portrayal of the majority of Palm Beach's population. For example, he is informed by a restaurant owner that the trust fund babies are spoiled, tight handed party animals. How would this restaurant manager know? Even if he saw a group of trust fund babies partying, are all or most of them party animals? If you go to a club or bar anywhere in the US you are likely to see some people getting wasted, but this wouldn't mean that the town's population should be categorized as wild clubaholics. He also gathers information about anti-semitism in the Private clubs from people who are active members and who have witnessed it. However, I feel that such second hand knowledge is partly responsible for discreditting his book. Why not interview a good selection of trust fund babies, or take accounts from those who have been discriminated against, first hand? These biased and one-eyed accounts make it impossible to draw a credible conclusion of Palm Beach's society. Another big problem I find in this book is Kessler's wishy washy details. For each critism he throws, he seems to pay three or four compliments. For example, yes Palm Beachers have scandalous affairs, but they are so physically attractive, protective, and forgiving. Yes, Palm Beachers are stingy, but they are also humame, helpful, generous, and sincere. Yes, Palm Beachers are anti-semitic, but they are also pro-american, accomodating, and inviting. It is so ironic how Kessler proclaims to expose Palm Beach's scandals whenever he takes so much time to view each Palm Beacher who bothers to interview with him in such a positive light. He manages to paint the Palm Beachers who have taken him in as the sheep among wolves. These inconsistencies crushed any existing confidence I may have had that Kesslers accounts of Palm Beach Society are totally accurate. I must say that there is one thing that I am confident of and that is that this book did not satifactorily open up the world of Palm Beach to me. I do not know if I wasted more time or more money on this book. Now I will have to spend more money on a different book that will do for me what "The Seasons" should have done. On the other hand, I do not want to risk wasting anymore of my time, in whatever season, reading a novel as lifeless and unreal as this one. Now I must ask myself is the risk of wasting more time and money worth reading about these people who are unconcerned about me?
Rating:
Summary: More of a Waste of Time or Money???
Review: After consuming this book, the only aftertaste left in my mouth was dissatisfaction. I was unfamiliar with Kessler's writings, and I must say that this unflowing novel did not leave a good first impression. I'll just say that I am not anxious to read anymore of his writings. My purpose for purchasing this novel was to learn more about Palm Beach's society. After reading the book, I feel that I knew more before opening it. The characters portrayed in the novel do not seem to give an accurate portrayal of the majority of Palm Beach's population. For example, he is informed by a restaurant owner that the trust fund babies are spoiled, tight handed party animals. How would this restaurant manager know? Even if he saw a group of trust fund babies partying, are all or most of them party animals? If you go to a club or bar anywhere in the US you are likely to see some people getting wasted, but this wouldn't mean that the town's population should be categorized as wild clubaholics. He also gathers information about anti-semitism in the Private clubs from people who are active members and who have witnessed it. However, I feel that such second hand knowledge is partly responsible for discreditting his book. Why not interview a good selection of trust fund babies, or take accounts from those who have been discriminated against, first hand? These biased and one-eyed accounts make it impossible to draw a credible conclusion of Palm Beach's society. Another big problem I find in this book is Kessler's wishy washy details. For each critism he throws, he seems to pay three or four compliments. For example, yes Palm Beachers have scandalous affairs, but they are so physically attractive, protective, and forgiving. Yes, Palm Beachers are stingy, but they are also humame, helpful, generous, and sincere. Yes, Palm Beachers are anti-semitic, but they are also pro-american, accomodating, and inviting. It is so ironic how Kessler proclaims to expose Palm Beach's scandals whenever he takes so much time to view each Palm Beacher who bothers to interview with him in such a positive light. He manages to paint the Palm Beachers who have taken him in as the sheep among wolves. These inconsistencies crushed any existing confidence I may have had that Kesslers accounts of Palm Beach Society are totally accurate. I must say that there is one thing that I am confident of and that is that this book did not satifactorily open up the world of Palm Beach to me. I do not know if I wasted more time or more money on this book. Now I will have to spend more money on a different book that will do for me what "The Seasons" should have done. On the other hand, I do not want to risk wasting anymore of my time, in whatever season, reading a novel as lifeless and unreal as this one. Now I must ask myself is the risk of wasting more time and money worth reading about these people who are unconcerned about me?
Rating: 
Summary: The upity season
Review: After reading the first ten pages of the book "The Season" you have read the book. It is repetitive, boring and monatonous. You can only read so much of peoples toys and the author uses the same people over and over. The most interesting people in the book are a gay male escort and his troubled mate. I think Mr. Kessler just wanted to drop a few names so he could get into some parties. If he wasn't Jewish I would think he would want to be on the "A" list of Palm Beach; but, maybe he feels he is a "But".
Rating: 
Summary: Money Money Everywhere
Review: After reading the other 9 reviews, I feel I must write in support of Kessler's "The Season." Yes, the book should have been rewritten by the author so that it would flow better. It has a pasted-together feel, and certain nonessential characters received too much attention. There is a great deal of information but for the reader, separating the important from the chaff isn't easy. Perhaps the sensational nature of the subject meant that it would sell without such added attention. That said, I found the book fascinating. I don't feel that the anti-semitism was dwelt on too much. Since Kessler is Jewish, why wouldn't he take this personally? Also, it probably will surprise most people who assumed that rich meant education and intelligence that such is not the case at all. Kessler exposes very well the lies, ignorance and shallowness of the people in those clubs that discriminate. Also, the revelation that Donald Trump has thumbed his nose at such attitudes by making his resort completely egalitarian (all you need is money) was a revelation. It was also news to me that the funds raised by the "charity balls," upon which the very rich congratulate themselves, are eaten up by the cost of the balls themselves. Aside from caviar and a live band, I can't understand why a party should cost hundred of thousands, but then at the parties I go to you are lucky to get dip for the chips. Kessler's coverage of ladies in tiaras who can't find a date, men wearing medals they haven't earned and bragging of degrees from universities they didn't attend, and the desparate search for royalty, any royalty, who will drop by for a fee made for an entertaining (and often alarming) read. All in all, if you are interested in the culture of the fabulously wealthy you will enjoy the book and forgive its shortcomings.
Rating:
Summary: Money Money Everywhere
Review: After reading the other 9 reviews, I feel I must write in support of Kessler's "The Season." Yes, the book should have been rewritten by the author so that it would flow better. It has a pasted-together feel, and certain nonessential characters received too much attention. There is a great deal of information but for the reader, separating the important from the chaff isn't easy. Perhaps the sensational nature of the subject meant that it would sell without such added attention. That said, I found the book fascinating. I don't feel that the anti-semitism was dwelt on too much. Since Kessler is Jewish, why wouldn't he take this personally? Also, it probably will surprise most people who assumed that rich meant education and intelligence that such is not the case at all. Kessler exposes very well the lies, ignorance and shallowness of the people in those clubs that discriminate. Also, the revelation that Donald Trump has thumbed his nose at such attitudes by making his resort completely egalitarian (all you need is money) was a revelation. It was also news to me that the funds raised by the "charity balls," upon which the very rich congratulate themselves, are eaten up by the cost of the balls themselves. Aside from caviar and a live band, I can't understand why a party should cost hundred of thousands, but then at the parties I go to you are lucky to get dip for the chips. Kessler's coverage of ladies in tiaras who can't find a date, men wearing medals they haven't earned and bragging of degrees from universities they didn't attend, and the desparate search for royalty, any royalty, who will drop by for a fee made for an entertaining (and often alarming) read. All in all, if you are interested in the culture of the fabulously wealthy you will enjoy the book and forgive its shortcomings.
Rating:
Summary: Vapid Rich People . . . Fawning Author
Review: As I read this book, a thought kept recurring- can't these people come up with anything better to do with their time? Kessler writes about a group of people who have all the money and all the time anyone could want, but choose to spend their lives hanging out at (anti-seimitic) private clubs and attending charity balls that don't actually raise all that much for charity, once the enormous expenses are deducted from the money taken in. According to Kessler, Palm Beach is populated by women who want nothing more than to snag a rich man, and men who reaffirm their youth and masculinity by getting involved with much younger women. When a more decent person did turn up, I wondered what they were doing there. Even after reading this book, I can't figure out the alleged attraction of Palm Beach. The book was repetitive and disorganized, and I was ready for it to end, but it does provide a glimpse (and I have no idea how accurate it is) into a world I will thankfully never be a part of.
Rating:
Summary: The wealthy and the witless
Review: As I read this book, a thought kept recurring- can't these people come up with anything better to do with their time? Kessler writes about a group of people who have all the money and all the time anyone could want, but choose to spend their lives hanging out at (anti-seimitic) private clubs and attending charity balls that don't actually raise all that much for charity, once the enormous expenses are deducted from the money taken in. According to Kessler, Palm Beach is populated by women who want nothing more than to snag a rich man, and men who reaffirm their youth and masculinity by getting involved with much younger women. When a more decent person did turn up, I wondered what they were doing there. Even after reading this book, I can't figure out the alleged attraction of Palm Beach. The book was repetitive and disorganized, and I was ready for it to end, but it does provide a glimpse (and I have no idea how accurate it is) into a world I will thankfully never be a part of.
Rating:
Summary: Rich People
Review: Decent book, especially when you compare with what else is out there these days. The facts presented in the book were very interesting, and AS ALWAYS, Ronald Kessler exposed every bit of target subject. However, I find that this book is poorly organized, I find myself wondering how the author ever got on these certain tangents. From a literary point of view, this book left a lot to be desired, but to everyone else that has an interest in how the upper crust really lives (read: 98.746% of the population)"The Season" certainly satiates our curious (or maybe just jealous) tongue.
Rating:
Summary: Palm Beach Is Always In Season
Review: Having visited Palm Beach several times in the last couple of years for conferences and meetings, I became curious about this place and how, for instance, it might be different from another tony seaside enclave where I live.....Newport Beach, CA. Though the author, Ron Kessler, professes that The Season is not an expose, I would beg to differ. Kessler adroitly works his contacts to give the reader a facinating look at the insular (and some might say incesteous)world of Palm Beach high society, the only kind there is in Palm Beach. Yes, as previous reviewers have noted, the book is a bit disjointed and the flow could be better. But make no mistake---Kessler is on the mark with his characterizations and decriptions of such Palm Beach establishments as The Everglades Club, The Bath and Tennis Club; anti-semitism at those and other clubs, the charity ball "season" from which the book draws its name, the Palm Beach Police, and the assorted people who make their livings off the rich much as a pilot fish attaches itself to a shark for its survival. Personally, I thought I got enough out of this by the time I got to the picture gallery which was quite interesting in and of itself. The last half of the book is where the biggest organizational breakdowns occur. Stop at the pictures.
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