Titan

The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

By: Ron Chernow

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 35 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

John D. Rockefeller, Sr., history’s first billionaire and the patriarch of America’s most famous dynasty, is an icon whose true nature has eluded three generations of historians. Now Ron Chernow, a National Book Award-winning biographer, gives us a detailed and insightful history of the mogul. Titan is the first full-length biography based on unrestricted access to Rockefeller’s exceptionally rich trove of papers. A landmark publication full of startling revelations, the book indelibly alters our image of this most enigmatic capitalist.

Born the son of a flamboyant, bigamous snake-oil salesman and a pious, straitlaced mother, Rockefeller rose from rustic origins to become the world’s richest man by creating America’s most powerful and feared monopoly, Standard Oil. Branded "the Octopus" by legions of muckrakers, the trust refined and marketed nearly 90 percent of the oil produced in America.

Rockefeller was likely the most controversial businessman in our nation’s history. Critics charged that his empire was built on unscrupulous tactics: grand-scale collusion with the railroads, predatory pricing, industrial espionage, and wholesale bribery of political officials. The titan spent more than 30 years dodging investigations until Teddy Roosevelt and his trustbusters embarked on a marathon crusade to bring Standard Oil to bay.

While providing abundant evidence of Rockefeller’s misdeeds, Chernow discards the stereotype of the cold-blooded monster to sketch an unforgettably human portrait of a quirky, eccentric original. A devout Baptist and temperance advocate, Rockefeller gave money more generously than anyone before him - his chosen philanthropies included the Rockefeller Foundation, the University of Chicago, and what is today Rockefeller University. Titan presents a finely nuanced portrait of a fascinating, complex man, synthesizing his public and private lives and disclosing numerous family scandals, tragedies, and misfortunes that have never before come to light.

John D. Rockefeller’s story captures a pivotal moment in American history, documenting the dramatic post–Civil War shift from small business to the rise of giant corporations that irrevocably transformed the nation. With cameos by Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, Jay Gould, William Vanderbilt, Ida Tarbell, Andrew Carnegie, Carl Jung, J. P. Morgan, William James, Henry Clay Frick, Mark Twain, and Will Rogers, Titan turns Rockefeller’s life into a vivid tapestry of American society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is Ron Chernow’s signal triumph that he writes this monumental saga with all the sweep, drama, and insight that this giant subject deserves.

©2004 Ron Chernow (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

Exquisite

I have read (or listened to) four of the books of Ron Chernow, also including "The House of Morgan" (National Book Award), "Washington: A Life" (Pulitzer prize) and "Grant". A masterful biographer, thoroughly researching his subjects and a great storyteller. At eight or nine hundred pages each (over 1,000 in the case of "Grant"), all of them are intimidating. However, once you get past a few dozen pages, all of them are captivating, exquisite stories. "Titan"? This is the second time I have read it or listened to, which says much about how much I love it. Hands down, one of my all-time favorite books. Grover Gardner, whom I have discovered in the "Story of Civilization" by Will Durant, is a well-chosen narrator.

One of the best books ever

This is by far one of the best and most inspirational books I have ever read... would definitely recommend!

Good. Really, really good.

Top notch. There isn't much else to say. Explores both sides deeply and fairly.

Interesting Story about History and Economics

The life of Rockefeller was surprisingly interesting. I enjoyed learning simultaneously about history and economics. Chernow is an excellent author. My one criticism is that Chernow has a very poor understanding of theology and demonstrates an antagonism toward religion. But this is a very minor element in the book.

Masterful exposure of a guarded character

Any additional comments?

This is the only John D. Rockefeller biography that could give the titan his proper credit. This book is a fascinating look inside the mind and life of the man who created what would be and ostensibly is the most profitable company of all time. Any one with an interest in business should readily add this to a list of self-help books. Additionally, the author thoroughly covers Rockefeller's relationships with his family, in addition to his relationships with business colleagues and friends, which helps provide a fully 360 degree portrait of the man. A must read.

Excellent

The author seemed to present the info, and a ton of it, fairly and efficiently and interestingly. Therefore the bias against an extremely successful businessman was openly exposed for the absurdity it should be known as to all.

Worth an investment of time...

Ron Chernow has brought an elusive historical figure to life for me in great detail. A lengthy listen, indeed; but fully engaging.

Absolutely Outstanding!

If you love business and investing, you will come to strongly admire Rickefeller! He showed that a person could start at zero and accumulate massive wealth. And, in the process, benefit humanity to astounding heights.

He competed with those like himself and was the winner, kind of like Pele in soccer or Michael Jordan in basketball.

I think he would have been great if competing in today's world.

Without the encomberamce of super large government of today, he showed what heights in achievement one could obtain, and what industry could do to elevate humanity.

The narrator was awesome and kept me captive throught! Great job!

This is an Awesome Book!

There was only one John D. Rockefeller. This book Titan gives great insight into the man as a person as well as Standard Oil.

Amazing

Worth the 35 hr investment of time. What a book. What a man. What a story!