Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book starts out strong, describing in rich detail the rise of one of America's wealthiest men. Very interesting. However, I had to engage in a type of self-coercion to pick the book up after about 100 pages. I hate to call it "filler," but I have to call a spade a spade.

Like its hero, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller has two sides. At times the almost novelesque book is insufferable. The text is dense and dizzying, making anyone who is not an economist feel incompetent and mind-boggled. At certain points, I needed to reread a sentence maybe two or three times because I either did not understand economic principle being displayed or because of my sheer lack of interest. When I was almost ready to quit with the constant analysis of the oil industry and Rockefeller's economic strategy, Chernow brought out the more personal side of the book, delving into Rockefeller's private life using uncommon and interesting anecdotes. It is quite obvious that Rockefeller's religious beliefs and family history greatly contributed to his transformation into the titan that will forever be remembered in American history. Chernow both proved my preconceived notions of the frugal and hard businessman that Rockefeller seemed to be and then surprised me, revealing the kinder, more spiritual Rockefeller who is oddly likable. I both loved and hated him. Like Chernow states, "what makes him so problematic- and why he continues to inspire such ambivalent reactions- is that his good side was every bit as good as his bad side was bad. Seldom has history produced such a contradictory figure. We are almost forced to posit, in helpless confusion, at least two Rockefellers: the good, religious man and the renegade businessman, driven by baser motives." So like its protagonist, Titan has two sides, its solid factual analysis of Rockefeller's business that perhaps only an economist could enjoy, and its warm-hearted account of Rockefeller's unexpected traits, which is far more appealing.

In the biography of John D. Rockefeller Sr., Ron Chernow exposes the man behind the myth. Chernow shows both Rockefeller's ruthless nature and his religous beliefs. Even though the book at points was long wordy and long I still found it to be enjoyable. This book does give you a really broad insite to his business pratices and the history of the Standard Oil Company.

The other reviews have basically said it for me: this is the definitive book on the founder of Standard Oil. While most biographies of Rockefeller Sr. have been either suspiciously laudatory or equally dubiously contemptuous, Chernow takes the middle ground. Ultimately, Chernow seems to fall more on the side of liking Rockefeller, and employs the somewhat cliche perspective that could fairly be called "modern contextualist"- from which Rockefeller is not much more than a product of his times. However, the slight overuse of this particular biographical "voice," if you will, is but one element of what is really a monumental biography of a fascinating person. Chernow is a very readable biographer who evidently has a deep understanding of American business. (Chernow also wrote "The House of Morgan" - an account of the development of the various offshoots of J.P. Morgan's banking empire which, although very good, lacks Titan's intense focus and analysis.) I heartily recommend Titan.

Creating an engaging, readable biography that is also well researched, intelligent and even handed is an incredible feat. Making one about John D. Rockefeller, Sr., which has been attempted by scores of authors, is nearly impossible. Chernow, however, accepted this challenge and thrived.

Titan is a wonderful book. His research into the Rockefeller family, Standard Oil and the society in which Rockefeller lives is staggering. He weaves it all together very well and the resulting story is wonderful. I learned a tremendous amount about the man and his world, which is of course the goal of a biography, but I never wanted to put the book down which is a quality more often found in novels then biographies. There are many interesting lessons about economics, turn of the century religion, politics and corporate America to be learned from the book and anyone interested in any of these subjects would find it fascinating. I highly recommend this biography.

Man, Rockefeller was a machine. An efficiency prodigy and consummate strategician and bargainer, he was a money making machine par excellence. Surprisingly, Chernow shows that Rockefeller was a genial fellow, exacting but kind, driving hard bargains, but honest, intelligent and fair (in a strict sense of the term). Not surprisingly, he was a polarizing figures, hero to admirers and the anti-christ to enemies.

I found the book very enjoyable and vignettes about Rockefeller and his associates and family wonderful. So, I give it five. However, Chernow's writing has faults. In describing some events, he is all over the timeline from one instance to another, only to return to the original event, creating confusion that could have been avoided by a more clever arrangement and careful exposition.

I bought this book in 1998 on a lark. At the time I was not into reading heavy tomes such as business biographies and the like. Little did I know that Titan would immensely rekindle my love for the written word--and would serve as my springboard to library-building.

Magisterial in scope, superlative in erudition, Chernow's Titan is truly worthy of its subject, John Davison Rockefeller--the much-maligned magnate but universally acknowledged philanthropist. The book never falters; Chernow's writing simply sparkles. Chernow painted a singularly engaging portrait of a seemingly benevolent man who single-handedly amalgamated an industry and enriched himself and his world in the process.

This book will serve as the authoritative biographical sketch of Rockefeller for many years to come. Academicians will find it to be a treasure trove of insight about the man and his age; the unwashed masses will turn to it for inspiration and sheer delight.

When people think about businessmen in the United States who have had a significant impact on the commerce, politics, etc. of the country, the one man who comes to mind most frequently has to be John D. Rockefeller. This man, who rose from lower- middle class beginnings, had a business sense that could be ruthless and overbearing. He was the world's first ever billionaire, a sum of money that made him FILTHY rich in the world of the late 1800's and early 1900's. "Titan", written by author Ron Chernow, examines the life and times of Mr. Rockefeller from his birth all the way to his death in the early 1900's.

Everyone already knows that Rockefeller was rich beyond imagination and that his Standard Oil business was gigantic and monopolistic. But there are many other facts about this man that few have heard about. Chernow is good at finding these facts and presenting them to the reader, showing that Rockefeller was only human and possessed flaws just like anyone else. Who would have known, for example, that the pious John D. Rockefeller had a father who was nicknamed "Devil Bill" for his wild and deceptive lifestyle? Or that this man who was so successful at business was actually rather shy and reclusive in many ways? Or that Rockefeller was the founder of the University of Chicago? Chernow points out many interesting and mostly unheard of facts about Rockefeller and his personal relationships throughout his biography.

Rockefeller had some unusual ideas about politics and social conservatism. Even though the United State's system of free enterprise and liberty was responsible for his individual success, he was still prone to using force to obtain his own social goals. The one area where he was the most determined to have his will made into law was with prohibition. Rockefeller believed (falsely, of course) that the elminination of alcohol was going to somehow turn the nation into a moral utopia and empty out all of our prison cells. In reality, of course, the opposite was true and Chernow covers Rockefeller's obsession with prohibition (and religion) throughout his writing. This ludicrous belief that government should control what one chooses to drink runs contrary to Rockefeller's supposed belief in liberty and it shows that, while he was definitely skilled in the business world, he was not all that bright or logical in other areas.

If there's one complaint that I have with this book, it would have to be the length. At more than 800 total pages, this book can take a very long time to read and it sometimes goes a little overboard in its coverage. Do I really need to know Rockefeller's every thought? Or his daily regimen? Chernow is very thorough, but in being thorough he also goes a bit far and this could make the book a little boring for some readers.

John D. Rockefeller's name conjures up many images to many people. Some admire his tenacity to succeed. Some like the fact that he always held on to his moral convictions. Others think he was a ruthless, heartless tyrant and a hyprocrite. But whether you like him or not, there's no denying that John D. Rockefeller was a giant in American Business- a Titan who was larger than life in his day and age. Author Ron Chernow examines the full life of this man from Cleveland, explaining his business relationships, personal relationships, and his philosophy on life, business, and government. It's a long read and it will take a while to finish. But I can almost guarantee that you will come away with a new understanding of Mr. Rockefeller after reading "Titan". It's an enjoyable book about a man who was very successful, very ruthless, very generous and, above all, very controversial.

Wow! A truly great biography of a man who did amazing things for the world.

From a business side of things this book showed how a god of his times handles one of the largest companies of its times. The book also shows the many sides of Rockefeller being more than a businessman. It showed how no matter how hard he worked for Standard Oil he worked harder to give money away to those who truly needed it. He gave money for schools, and Universities. Also donated money to many individual people and various charities.

The book is a great tool for understanding the start of the industrial revolution. Titan shows how one company can run an entire industry and have a virtual monopoly with no paper work just a hand shake. A truly great biography, about a truly great man.

Great book! Keeper. The other reviewers have said it best ad I can add no more -- I dont have the writng skill od chernow.

But I can read and i can say that you should read this book too!