The launch of "provocative cultural journalist" Michael Gross's engaging tome, 740 Park: The Story of the World's Richest Apartment Building (Broadway Books), had the NYC elite stirring with excitement at Georgette Mosbacher's posh Fifth Avenue digs.

Who wouldn't want to live in a 37-room apartment complete with 14 bathrooms, 43 closets, 11 working fireplaces, a private elevator, and his-and-her saunas? A peek inside this lusted-after stellar address, 740 Park-with its money, class, and privilege-makes for an engrossing (no pun intended) read. Gross examines the details of the building with a fine-tooth comb-from the beginning of the 19-story limestone building's construction in 1929 by developer James T. Lee (grandfather to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) to a look at those who dwell behind the building's lavish walls.

The Bouviers, Rockefellers, and Chryslers are just a few of the boldnames whose stay at the famous building was chronicled in this nonfiction read. Current residents include: Steven and Christine Schwarzman, Saul and Gayfryd Steinberg, and Charles Stevenson and Alex Kuczynski.

In the tony mix: Dominick Dunne, Matthew Modine, Whit Stillman, Ron Silver, Maer Roshan, Ann Barish, Allison and Leonard Stern, David Koch, Kenneth Jay Lane, Richard Meier, Dana and Dr. Patrick Stubgen, Virginia and John Croddick, Debbie Bancroft, Sharon Bush, Alice Mason, and Robert Zimmerman.

Looking for a lush penthouse? Don't go knocking on 740 Park. Not even Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Walters, Joan Crawford, Neil Sedaka, or Seagram heiress Aileen "Minda" Bronfman de Gunzberg could get past the formidable co-op board. Pick up the book, instead, and see if Gross's tales are taller than the richest apartment building in the world.