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Titan
- The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 35 hrs and 3 mins
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Titan
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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.
What listeners say about Titan
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Alistair
- 29-03-2019
Fascinating and comprehensive
Great narration, and a great book despite only being able to draw from limited sources
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arthur Wilson
- 10-12-2016
Amazing story of rags to icon
A legend. A story that seems more of a fantasy than real...but it is real. Thorough story, long but riveting not only about the man and his times, but about power. It does however paint a sympathetic view of the man at times, but he did more than I knew as did his son John Jr and other members of the family. Glad I had the pleasure of this book.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas K.K. Morison
- 13-06-2019
Great story of building the best from nothing
Great narration, uses and older style of English which was refreshing. Is from a different time, so it's ability to communicate any real skills is limited, although is a brilliant and detailed biography.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Tomas
- 22-07-2018
A good character portrait
gives great and expansive detail about the life of the world's richest man. Goes into his business dealings and into his philanthropy, but also in his personal life after retirement and the lives of his children. You will finish this book with a good and nuanced understanding of John D Rockerfeller both in life and business.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 07-09-2021
excellent
first of all I think the reader is perfect for these sorts of books. I previously listened to the rise and fall of the 3rd Reich and he made history easy to listen to. so I randomly chose this book next not knowing about John D Rockefeller.
I really enjoyed the book and find John a next level interesting guy. frankly I have no problem with his early business methods when I consider the rule book hadn't been written yet. we need guys like him to show us where some rules are needed.
was his methods fair? no, but life isn't fair.
this book is worth listening to to make your own decision.
it's a 10/10 from me
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 07-12-2022
A great read.
A beautifully written and swashbuckling account of the life and times of John D Rockefeller.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer Robinson
- 08-07-2023
History and economics from a different perspective
For me, an eye opener will respect to monopoly, rationalisation of supply chain, economy of scale and consumer prices. Remarkable human story as well. Narrator was neutral and clear, as required for this work.
A feat of scholarship.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 20-05-2020
Fascinating listen
Understanding how one of the wealthiest families on earth came to be is the only reason you need to listen to this book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Simon McDonald
- 05-10-2024
Good detailed account
Lots personal details but I would have liked more business growth details.
Narration is excellent. Overall worth reading.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 18-10-2018
This is a must read for anyone with big aspirations
This book will teach you about life, business and the immense power one individual can attain
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3 people found this helpful