Titan - Ron Chernow

Titan

By Ron Chernow

  • Release Date: 1999-09-07
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 315 Ratings

Description

National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist
 
From the acclaimed, award-winning author of Alexander Hamilton: here is the essential, endlessly engrossing biography of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.—the Jekyll-and-Hyde of American capitalism. In the course of his nearly 98 years, Rockefeller was known as both a rapacious robber baron, whose Standard Oil Company rode roughshod over an industry, and a philanthropist who donated money lavishly to universities and medical centers. He was the terror of his competitors, the bogeyman of reformers, the delight of caricaturists—and an utter enigma.
 
Drawing on unprecedented access to Rockefeller’s private papers, Chernow reconstructs his subjects’ troubled origins (his father was a swindler and a bigamist) and his single-minded pursuit of wealth. But he also uncovers the profound religiosity that drove him “to give all I could”; his devotion to his father; and the wry sense of humor that made him the country’s most colorful codger. Titan is a magnificent biography—balanced, revelatory, elegantly written.

Reviews

  • Absolutely Amazing

    5
    By Persist020202
    A huge book. But an amazing work worth your time.
  • One of the Best Ever

    5
    By Elijah Ballard
    Outstanding biography.
  • The Titan

    5
    By Marv Marshall
    As good a read as Chernow's book on Alexander Hamilton. A superior read. Dr. Marvin Marshall, author of "LIVE WITHOT STRESS: How to Enjoy the Journey."
  • Titan

    5
    By Showorker
    A great book too read and study American Histroy again great book learn a lot .
  • Titan

    5
    By Drbcool
    One of the best biographies I have read. Everyone has heard of John D. Rockefeller but few know the story of the vast empire created by one man. And what a character he was! This is a really good read, and is a lesson from 140 years ago about the pervasive evil of money in the hands of politicians.
  • Amazing

    5
    By Carlclem
    I read this book in 2002 while in college and in 2011 it still remains the number one book in my collection. As someone who takes care to revisit history, the tale of this man is riveting. While I found the first couple chapters mildly dull after that point the book left my hands. I read it nonstop for days on end. It truly is a book worthy of any awards it had received. I recommend this book to anyone even those who prefer fiction works because it reads with such vivid detail that I found my self saying "that can't be" or "no way".