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  • Titan

  • The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
  • By: Ron Chernow
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 35 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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Titan

By: Ron Chernow
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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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.

©2004 Ron Chernow (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

What listeners say about Titan

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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    5 out of 5 stars
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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

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Chernow does it again

Gardners’ tone captures Chernows’ writing in expertly telling a unique and somewhat surprising story of a remarkable man. Whilst exposing capitalism’s ugly warts and hypocrisy, the telling also sheds light on a deeply religious man who had soo much wealth he could give most of it away.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great read.

A beautifully written and swashbuckling account of the life and times of John D Rockefeller.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Stunning!

Amazing story and well read too. This huge tomb contains a wealth of information and history about one of the worlds greatest business leaders

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

This book was epic!

OMG this book was epic, if it were half the length then I probably would have given it 5 stars!

**3 stars**
OMG this book was epic, if it were half the length then I probably would have given it 5 stars!

If you are looking for a comprehensive (and I truly mean comprehensive) insight to John D. Rockefeller Sr. then this is the book for you! This book explores all aspects of Rockefeller's life and looks very closely at his family, children and grandchildren. Knowing absolutely nothing about the family before diving into the book, I now feel very familiar with the family.

My only complaint is that the book is not always chronological so sometimes can get confusing.

Overall, a very educational read!

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