Sins of the Fathers

Sins of the Fathers

by Susan Howatch

4.3 (986)

4.3 stars from 986 reviews. Top 90% of Historical Fiction books we track.


$3.99KU78% off peak

Last checked: May 18, 2026

Read free with Kindle Unlimited

Price history: $2.99 $17.99

Good deal — this is near the lowest price we've tracked.

Price range: $2.99 $17.99

Buy on Amazon - $3.99

0 readers are tracking this book's price

Fans of these authors will like this...

  • Danielle Steel
  • Judith Krantz
  • Arthur Hailey

Fans of these books will like this...

  • The Rich Are Different
  • The Thorn Birds
  • Dynasty

Perfect for you if...

  • You're drawn to multi-generational family sagas where power corrupts everyone it touches.
  • You enjoy novels set in gilded worlds where the wealthy's private lives are messier than their public images.
  • You appreciate literary fiction that uses historical echoes (here, Caesar and Antony) to illuminate modern greed.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer tight, fast-paced plots. Howatch's sagas are intricate and deliberately paced over hundreds of pages.
  • You want sympathetic protagonists. The Van Zales are complicated and often unlikeable, even when you understand them.
  • You're looking for feel-good escapism. This is a deliberately dark examination of wealth and moral compromise.

About this book

Sins of the Fathers is set among the Wall Street elite in post-WWII New York, centered on the Van Zale family and their sprawling banking empire. Run by the determined and talented Cornelius Van Zale, the family's wealth and luxurious lifestyle represent the American Dream. However, beneath their public success lies a world of complicated affairs, bitter rivalries, dangerous alliances, and corruption. Vicky Van Zale becomes caught in the power struggles between her father Cornelius and the ambitions of her husband and lover, functioning as a pawn in their battle for control. All parties are willing to pay any price to win, regardless of the consequences. Susan Howatch, known for her historical family sagas, explores the American elite in this novel. The work is inspired by the reigns of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian, examining themes of avarice during the booming postwar years. This ebook includes an illustrated biography of Howatch with rare photos and never-before-seen documents from her personal collection.

Get the best deal every time

We track price drops, sale patterns, and predict when this book will go on offer next.

Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

Sign up to unlock
Free$8.99$17.99Mar '21Mar '23Feb '24Feb '26
$2.99$17.99

Currently on sale at $3.99 — 78% off peak. Price has dropped 34 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 54 days. Typically stays discounted for 6 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Sign up to unlock
#10,335#367,843#725,350Jul '18Jul '23Jan '25May '26

Currently around #153K in the Kindle store — a niche title.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Sign up to unlock
3.5★4.3★5.0★Jun '23Jun '24Dec '25May '26RatingReviews

Currently 4.3★ from 986 reviews

Gaining approximately 7 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.3 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Sign up to unlock
Free$8.99$17.99Mar '21Mar '23Feb '24Feb '26PredictedMay '26

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $3.99. It typically returns to around $17.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

Never miss a deal on this book

Create a free account to unlock full price history charts, sale predictions, and get notified instantly when the price drops.

Susan Howatch

1 book on Vagrant Press

View all books →

More Historical Fiction books you might like

View all Historical Fictionbooks →
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11

by Mitchell Zuckoff

$8.99Deal
4.8 (1,753)
$1.99$16.99
The Peasant King
The Peasant King

by Tessa Afshar

$12.82Deal
4.8 (1,206)
$2.99$16.99
Bud, Not Buddy: (Newbery Medal Winner)
Bud, Not Buddy: (Newbery Medal Winner)

by Christopher Paul Curtis

$4.99Deal
4.7 (7,385)
$1.99$8.99

Today's Best Deals

View all deals →
Twice Blessed (The Haven Trilogy Book 1)
Twice Blessed (The Haven Trilogy Book 1)

by Ferguson, Jo Ann

$4.99DealHidden GemHighly rated but flying under the radar. Fewer readers have found this one yet.
4.5 (23)
$0.50$8.49
Inappropriate
Inappropriate

by Vi Keeland

$4.99Deal
4.5 (18,111)
Free$4.99
Meetings Suck: Turning One of the Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable
Meetings Suck: Turning One of the Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable

by Cameron Herold

$4.99DealHidden GemHighly rated but flying under the radar. Fewer readers have found this one yet.
4.2 (439)
$4.99$9.99
Buy Sins of the Fathers on Amazon - $3.99

Affiliate link. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.