To truly understand American history in the 20th century, one must acknowledge the family dynasties that were formed, the financial powerhouses of the day. The Standard Oil company made a tremendous impact on society and it seems that few Americans are aware of this today. In the historic masterpiece, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Chernow places the life experiences of a very important businessman, John Davison Rockefeller, into the pages of modern history. Rockefeller proves to be one of the most prominent figures of our age, yet today’s generation knows so little about him.
Titan is packed full of interesting facts that any serious-minded historian would find necessary to know. From the first barrels of oil produced, to the amount of automobiles that were first manufactured, to the effects on the economy, Chernow shines the light on all. Rockefeller’s allies and enemies are critical to the narrative.
And the book does tell a story about a young boy struggling in the 1800′s, finding his way in life, and dealing with the complicated ways of his colorful father. John D. Rockefeller comes from an humble background and he grows into one of the most controversial figures in American history. Rockefeller was the founder of Standard Oil, one of the world’s first and largest multinational corporations.
Rockefeller founded Standard Oil as an Ohio partnership with his brother William, along with Henry Flagler, Jabez Bostwick, chemist Samuel Andrews, and a silent partner, Stephen V. Harkness. As kerosene and gasoline grew in importance, Rockefeller’s wealth soared, and he became the world’s richest man and the first American worth more than a billion dollars. Adjusting for inflation, he is often regarded as the richest person in history.
Rockefeller (Senior) literally builds an empire using nothing but strength, iron will, perseverance, and sharp wits. He does however, make shady deals with the railroads and uses other questionable business practices, which later gets him into trouble.
One of the most effective attacks on Rockefeller and his firm was the 1904 publication of The History of the Standard Oil Company, written by Ida Tarbell, a leading muckraker. The overwhelming, negative publicity created by Tarbell deeply disturbed Rockefeller for the rest of his life. She depicted Rockefeller as a money-grabbing, monopolizing scoundrel and he despised her for this.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (Junior), the only son in the brood, left a legacy himself, with the construction of the famous Rockefeller Center, which included the largest private building project ever undertaken in modern times. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st streets in New York City. It is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth and Sixth Avenue.
Titan is a very long read, containing at least 679 pages. This extensive biography is an historical treasure. It was written in a very elegant and open style, and it actually makes history pleasant. Chernow is a brilliant writer and his research on the subject is impeccable.
