A sweeping drama of wealth, power, and family conflict by Harold Robbins, first published in 1987. One of Robbins' later novels, it blends family saga, romance, corporate intrigue, and suspense against the backdrop of America's elite.

The story centers on the powerful Hardeman family, owners of one of the world's largest business empires. At the heart of the dynasty is the legendary Lance Hardeman, whose fortune and influence have made him one of the most powerful men in America. As age and illness begin to weaken his grip, a bitter struggle erupts among family members, ambitious executives, and ruthless rivals eager to seize control of the empire.

Amid lavish lifestyles, boardroom battles, and hidden scandals, old loyalties are tested and long-buried secrets come to light. Romance, betrayal, greed, and revenge intertwine as each character pursues power, often at tremendous personal cost. The title "Xanadu" symbolizes the glamorous world of unimaginable wealth from which the characters slowly descend through their own ambitions and moral compromises.

Like many of Robbins' novels, Descent from Xanadu features glamorous settings, larger-than-life personalities, passionate relationships, and fast-moving drama. While it contains elements of suspense and intrigue, its primary focus is on family dynamics, corporate succession, and the corrupting influence of power rather than mystery or crime.