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  • Titan

  • The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
  • Written by: Ron Chernow
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 35 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (44 ratings)

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Titan

Written 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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Thoroughly enjoyable

Fantastic research and largely objective portrayal of the oil emperor Mr JD Rockerfeller. Huge book, but never felt bored.

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One of best biography out there

This is one of the best biographies which I had listen. It was a mammoth 35 hours and it fealt like I was living the life of John D Rockefeller

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Very very good

Loved the entire book, every little details
Must read for everyone, gives you a bigger perspective on life.

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The Narrator hurts my ear

I didn't expect such a poor narration of a book on such a big personality.
This narrator will create a headache for sure.
Instead I will read the book now. No option.

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Among the Best Biographies of All Time !

Great Listen .Loved it. All time classic ! So much to learn from of the greats.

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fascinating story of the richest man on earth.

John D Rockefeller has been one of the most reviled as well as one of the most celebrated personalities of last century. Fascinating life story of the Titan. Very well naratted.

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Probably the best biography I've ever listened to.

The biography of one of the greatest businessmen in the world - This one is worth your time.

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