Titan
Product ID: 64798514
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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. Review: Best book of the year. - Here's a few reasons you should read this book, 1. with the strength of his own conviction, Rockefeller chose his virtues and vices. He stuck to these virtues tirelessly. He believed himself to be a man of God and religion. He took several steps to ensure this idea was maintained. Come what may. He never questioned God. HIs faith gave him release when the world questioned his conduct. He only worshipped stronger. 2. The writing of this book is exemplary. The verses will hypnotise you with how well each page is written. You can live your whole life in the breath of a chapter of what Rockefeller did in a year. The reverence to the protagonist is well measured. 3. Rockefellers' words, ideas, thoughts, belief systems - will have an impact on the most surly of readers. you can't help but admire everything about him. 4. This is the best book I have read this year and I doubt I will read a better one. It was most arresting to follow the progress of Rockefeller. I read many biographies. This is one of the absolute best. Why? The chronology and characters in his life are all so well placed. 5. Where this is hypocrisy and counter objecting circumstance, the author soars and maintains a very equitable account. Not easy but masterfully done. Review: How he traded his innocence for oil - This book delves deep into his life without judgment, exploring how he amassed his enormous wealth and the events that shaped his path. It offers insightful analyses of his actions and their repercussions. While reading, I couldn’t help but feel that if he’d shown more care for his family in his youth, he might have had a far better life later. His wealth-building framework ensured his family’s survival for seven generations.
| Best Sellers Rank | #4,312 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #15 in Economic History (Books) #164 in Biographies & Autobiographies (Books) #192 in Analysis & Strategy |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,004 Reviews |
K**D
Best book of the year.
Here's a few reasons you should read this book, 1. with the strength of his own conviction, Rockefeller chose his virtues and vices. He stuck to these virtues tirelessly. He believed himself to be a man of God and religion. He took several steps to ensure this idea was maintained. Come what may. He never questioned God. HIs faith gave him release when the world questioned his conduct. He only worshipped stronger. 2. The writing of this book is exemplary. The verses will hypnotise you with how well each page is written. You can live your whole life in the breath of a chapter of what Rockefeller did in a year. The reverence to the protagonist is well measured. 3. Rockefellers' words, ideas, thoughts, belief systems - will have an impact on the most surly of readers. you can't help but admire everything about him. 4. This is the best book I have read this year and I doubt I will read a better one. It was most arresting to follow the progress of Rockefeller. I read many biographies. This is one of the absolute best. Why? The chronology and characters in his life are all so well placed. 5. Where this is hypocrisy and counter objecting circumstance, the author soars and maintains a very equitable account. Not easy but masterfully done.
R**R
How he traded his innocence for oil
This book delves deep into his life without judgment, exploring how he amassed his enormous wealth and the events that shaped his path. It offers insightful analyses of his actions and their repercussions. While reading, I couldn’t help but feel that if he’d shown more care for his family in his youth, he might have had a far better life later. His wealth-building framework ensured his family’s survival for seven generations.
A**D
A good biography
Well it’s been almost three months since I started reading this,either for the lack of time or other reasons, but still the book kept pulling me back to it. I believe had it been any other book I’d have abandoned it, kudos to the writer for that. In short it provides a peek into the heydays of American industrialisation.
S**M
Best book
It is best biography of Rockefeller
B**O
Wow.
Easily the best biography I’ve EVER read, (well apart from Autobiography of a Yogi), Titan is a marvel. Written in a flawless, lucid style, the book describes the life and times of John Rockefeller, the legendary business tycoon of 19th century America. Described unfairly as a robber baron, Rockefeller amassed a fortune and an empire the world had scarcely seen. Yes, he ruthlessly ripped apart competition; yes he bribed his way to industrial sovereignty. But one must not forget that he was working his way in old frontier America, an America which hardly had any competition or industrial laws. Cowboy capitalism was the name of the game, and Rockefeller was our Clint Eastwood- the strong, silent leader. Reading this book is an education- one sees the forces of capitalism, law, politics and personalities clash and collide, creating new industries, new wealth and new leaders. Its wonderful. Its addictive. What stands out in the whole narrative is the man himself- Rockefeller was an enigma. Deeply religious, he often displayed eerie powers of self control and awareness. His rock-solid composure often made me think of the Bhagwan Gita’s idea of samata. Despite one setback after another, this man just pushed on. Not only do we get to know how he made his empire, but also how he retired at the age of 55 and devoted himself fully to philanthropy and religion. It was Rockefeller who started the University of Chicago and many other educational and medical institutions. What is striking is to see how difficult, how exhausting and nerve wracking even philanthropy proved to be. When you see and read what Rockefeller went through, you often wonder whether accumulating wealth is worth the trouble Truly a titan. If you’re interested in fascinating men, or even the growth and spread of corporate America interlaced with law and politics, just go for it.
M**A
A brilliant narration of the life of one of the most influentual people.
Warning: This book is really long. From being a humble bookkeeper to becoming one of the richest men in history. The book is definitely worth the read. Rockefeller was a very interesting character. His intense discipline and focus are well narrated. If you were wanted to be convinced of the power of delayed gratification this book is the one you should read. It also mentions stories of the gilded age in America and how major industries and mega corporations started cropping up. The author presents both sides of Rockefeller as a devoted Baptist and benevolent character but also a ruthless businessman who bent over backward to destroy or absorb all his competitors.
M**A
A true Titan, a visionary benefactor, the OG the Goat
The book 📖 allows the reader to feel every moment of emotion of what was going on in that era. Those times were wild and true efficiencies reached at their peak only at a scale. John D was the force of God bestowed upon the people to benefit them of necessary resources. A marvelous attempt at creating the realistic description of those times and words written with a practical flavour. A must read book 📚 for all entrepreneurs out there.
S**A
Replaced it and got a better product
First I’ve received damaged item but after I replaced it, which took a lot of time and then I received the good new book which I loved. But I wish that delivery time for this book after I’ve replaced it should be minimal
C**N
Jesús Talamantes
Existen muy pocas biografías tan bien documentadas como esta. Escogí este libro por conocer la forma de pensar de quien fuera el más grande empresario de sus tiempos y, que la a fecha, han perdurado sus empresas, renombre y prácticas. Recomendado para emprendedores
G**C
Top
Top
G**Y
huge, full account of the richest man of all time...
don't be put off by the size of the book - it's huge. saying that it is thoroughly well researched and a great insight into the life story of the richest man the world has ever seen. i give this book 5 stars because it's written really well and i found that i couldn't put it down. if you are interested into the life story of rockefeller this is possibly the best book on the subject...
J**O
Excellent
All about the life of this tycoon.
F**O
Consigliato ad appassionati del personaggio
Libro consigliato ad interessati alla storia della famiglia data la lunghezza. Molto bello per come è scritto e molto interessante anche per vedere l'america degli ultimi anni del 1800 e primi del 1900 in un'ottica non faziosa, dato che la storia è concentrata sul personaggio e non sugli avvenimenti di quegli anni, e le analogie con i giorni nostri.
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