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

amazing book

this is an absolutely amazing read for any buisiness mind looking to grow. the narration of the books helps bring the essents of John D to life

Good account of John D’s life story

It feels like a very good and detailed account of John D’s life, though I can’t comment on how accurate are the facts as this is the first biography on John D that I’ve read.
But it’s a very long book, and some parts could be quite dry.

may be biased

Huge Chernow fan but I thought this was fantastic. The research that goes into his bios are amazing

Interesting Read, very informative

I really enjoyed this book. It provided both perspectives of the rise of the Rockefeller dynasty. I enjoyed learning some of the dirt, as well as all the good the family and their wealth has produced. Highly recommend.

Titan: John D Rockefeller

GREAT book about a GREAT!! Man.
Flawed as we all are but net/net an AWESOME contributor to the advancement of mankind. Certainly, JDR passed through the needle. GOD Bless!

Thorough Illuminating Biography

This is the most comprehensive unbiased biography I've read.

The audible version has a few instances of words strangely pronounced that cause a bit of a minor stumble.

Awesome Listen

The first half of the book is really entertaining. the second half is a detailed account of his life after Standard Oil. If extreme detail isn't your cup of tea this is not the book for you lol If you love it like I do though, its great.

Connects the gap from Civil War to Modernity

Really enjoyed the critical yet sympathetic tone Chernow takes. He captures an aspect of these Uber wealthy folks and how religious faith kept him grounded but blinded him to the mercy needed as well as judgement. I don't read much between The civil war in world war I, so this book fills in a lot of gaps of how America changed.

Fierce Philanthropist

Thiis is a fabulous story as only Ron Chernow can tell it. Equally biographical and dramatic.

Excellent Look Inside a Titan's Life

Took me forever to finish, but that was my fault. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but I know I need to hear other perspectives on the life of such a historically impactful man. Great read.