Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

I am a licensed tour guide in Saint Augustine, Florida. Rockefeller's close friend and business partner at Standard Oil was Henry Morrison Flagler who is known as the father of modern Florida and father of Florida tourism. His developments in Florida began with the Ponce De Leon Hotel here. I am also a Baptist like Rockefeller and am a member of Ancient City Baptist, whose building Flagler helped build. Rockefeller was often here and would die at his home in Ormond Beach, in Flagler County about 50 miles south of here. I also give guided tours of our historic church and Rockefeller had ties with several men in our church and in our area. He supported the missionary efforts of John E. Clough financially who was converted by one of our former pastors and of which we have a commemorative window. This book is extremely well-documented, very interesting and thought-provoking. The only thing I would disagree with is the author's view of the Northern Baptist movement at the time, they were strongly influenced by the doctrines of grace and believed that God could save anyone but certainly wasn't trying to save everyone. I definitely want to read more of this authors books as I read this. I may add more to my review later. This was Rockefeller's favorite hymn. 1. I've found a friend, O such a friend! Christ loved me ere I knew Him He drew me with the cords of love, And thus he bound me to Him; And round my heart still closely twine Those ties which naught can sever, For I am His, and Christ is mine, Forever and forever. 2. I've found a friend, O such a friend! He bled, he died to save me; And not alone the gift of life, But His own self He gave me; Naught that I have my own I call, I hold it for the Giver; My heart, my strength, my life, my all Are His, and His forever. 3. I've found a friend, O such a friend! All pow'r to Him is given, To guard me on my onward course, And bring me safe to heaven: Th'eternal glories gleam afar To nerve my faint endeavor; So now to watch, to work, to war, And then to rest forever. 4. I've found a friend, O such a friend! So kind and true and tender, So wise a counselor and guide, So mighty a defender! From Him who loves me now so well What pow'r my soul can sever? Shall life or death or earth or hell? No, I am his forever.

Though I read and enjoyed Chernow’s biographies of Washington, Hamilton and Grant, I found this biography of Rockefeller his best. I did not expect that. The bland grayish cover, which shows a grim, almost sadistic-looking Rockefeller against a sterile cityscape, does not inspire a potential reader to think of “enjoyable read.” Likewise, the pre-book knowledge I had of Rockefeller’s founding of Standard Oil led me to think that this biography would involve a lot of dry reading about Rockefeller’s financial dealings. But I was completely wrong. This is a gripping story, much of it about an America we now live in but know little about the origins. Chernow is, as usual, an excellent stylist. The book can roughly be divided into two parts: 1) how Rockefeller got the largest fortune in American history at the time and 2) how Rockefeller gave most of that away in philanthropic work. He drove thousands of small businesses out of the market and put multiple thousands of workers out of work using ruthless and cutthroat techniques, many (not all) of which were legal at the time. Cooperation with him was always better than competition and woe to anyone who did not agree. His personality is fascinating and Chernow does an exceptionally good job at bringing that out. In fact, Rockefeller’s personality and character are central themes that run throughout the book – how this pious Baptist who thought God wanted him to make as much money as possible so he could give it away could go through life with massive repression and apparent equanimity. His (and his son’s) philanthropy is incredible, from founding the University of Chicago to Rockefeller University to the Rockefeller Foundation. Millions for this, multiple millions for that in late 19th century and early 20th century money! It is mind-blowing. The book begins with Rockefeller’s father, a patent medicine quack showman who kept two separate families and ends with Rockefeller giving more money to advance real medicine than any individual in history. The book expands the reader’s consciousness and is a fascinating and enjoyable read at the same time. Though Chernow’s Hamilton gets all the press these days, I learned more from this book about America and enjoyed it more. In my view it is a pinnacle of biographical writing - by any author.

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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.

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

All about the life of this tycoon.

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.