I included this book in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com. ( )

Thorough and surprisingly gripping, Chernow shows how Rockefeller could at once be a ruthless business tycoon while simultaneously attending prayer meetings and churches side-to-side with the most Puritanical New Englanders. Guest starring Teddy Roosevelt, muckraker Ida Tarbell (who won 1st Place in the My Name Sounds Like a 19th Century Cliche contest), Andrew Carnegie, JP Morgan, and Rockefeller's no-good father, who sold snake oil and other medical delights. ( )

3270. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., by Ron Chernow (read Nov 22, 1999) This is a most interesting book, without any dull parts. Chernow is a superlative biographer and this book holds one's attention and interest throughout, and I never once as I read wished I was finished (which is as high praise as I know how to give a book). ( )

thought not the most intimate review of the man, (i finish with the sense of knowing him as a second cousin), it is exhaustive. a charitable, competitive man who compartmentalized all aspects of life, by Chernow. (thats 4 Cs!!)
if you look to identify with the man, look to another book (though i know not which). if you look to see and study him, this is the book. ( )

Brilliant book--brings out the humanity behind a so-called Robber Baron without glossing over his rougher edges. Absolutely fascinating--couldn't be more highly recommended from this reader. ( )

J.D. Rockefeller, Sr. ( )

Chernow's writing style is fluid and insightful. An excellent depiction of Rockefeller's rise, his philosophies, and often, his rather puritanical family life. ( )

A Singularly Engaging Portrait of an Empire Builder
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.

(Posted in Amazon.com, January 6, 2004) ( )

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Ron Chernow is a master of the subjects that he writes about. ( )