Rating: 
Summary: Complete but partial.
Review: In the intro to his book Ron Chernow finds fault with previous biographers of Rockefeller who only covered the tycoon's life up to his retirement. Midway into this 700-page volume it becomes obvious why: nothing interesting happened in the latter half of Rockefeller's life. The defense frequently offered of John D. Rockefeller's raptorial business practices (it features in Chernow's book) is that there was simply no legal apparatus in place at the time to prevent it. This amounts to the assertion that the school bully's behaviour only becomes unethical in the presence of the schoolmaster. Few reasonable people will buy the idea that Rockefeller's wholesale manipulation of the railroads and merciless squashing of even the most inncouous competitors can be dismissed as hunky-dory simply because it wasn't illegal. The chief acclaim accorded this book is that it is an objective portrayal of Rockefeller's character and deeds written by an author who is neither an admirer nor a despiser. Yet it's obvious, even from the title, that in an attempt to unravel the Sphinx, Chernow became enamoured with him. No moral pronoucements are made on Rockefeller's unethical practices, yet the silence reveals an unsettling admiration of the tycoon's sheer nerve. Lesser mortals such as Ida Tarbell and Colnel Potts are pigeonholed as deserving losers or frustrated grudge-bearers, despite the fact that Potts' only crime was to attempt to compete with Standard Oil, for example. It's a peculiarly ironic twist that seems to have escaped Chernow that his attempt to render an impartial portrayal of John D involved a decidedly partial portrayal of those who were not enamoured with him. Chernow doesn't seem to realise that an idea (here, that Rockefeller was not a pleasant character) is not responsible for the kind of people who believe in it - or their motivations for doing so. In short, the notion that Rockefeller behaved unethically isn't invalidated by the fact that his detractors might have had an attitude problem. The author tries to parry criticism of Rockefeller by resorting to ad hominem attacks. Chernow's mistake seems to be in thinking that a balanced consensus on a particular historical figure can attained by expounding a wilfully positive opinion of him that will help neutralise the predominantly negative view. This kind of thing always backfires, since all it does is make another contribution to the canon of partiality. Despite all these cavils, however, Chernow has a good writing style. The book is thoroughly researched and the first half of it is a very enjoyable read. It's worth a look, but with your eyes peeled for bias.
Rating: 
Summary: BUY IT!
Review: This book definatly lives oup to the billing of "A triumph of the art of biography". It is a great work and covers every aspect of Rockefellers life. Simply a must read for anyone interested in the lives of one of America's first industrialists.
Rating:
Summary: A+ for "Titan"
Review: This is an excellent biography. It is the only one that I have read on Rockefeller. If anyone is interested in him and or Standard Oil, read this book first. It is extremely well written and Chernow did a great job in holding my attention. This book it 10 times better than the late Joseph Wall's biography of Andrew Carnegie. "Titan" is not slanted or biased either way regarding Rockeffer. Don't be daunted by the book's size. It is a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Like all great biographies this book captures a human being and gives us an idea about the world he lived in. I liked the tone of the book - it does its best to be fair to a very contradictory personality. If you judge a person by his actions, John D is one the hardest people to deliver a verdict on. He was equal parts saint and sinner, and that is what makes this book so facinating. I had no special interest in Rockefeller before picking up this book, but I'm glad I did. If you're interested enough to read these reviews, you should probably pick up a copy. Like a good novel, this book is very hard to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, so-so audiotape
Review: The written book on which this audiotape is based is a distinguished piece of work. Chernow is clearly a master at the top of his form. However, one has to wonder about the choice of George Plimpton for the narrator of the audiobook. I found his accent totally distracting: "a thuuud generation bapp-tist ministuh..." Also, I found it strange that there were more photos of Plimpton in the cover artwork (2) than for Chernow, the author. The photo is the same one Plimpton has been using in Esquire for at least 15 years -- I'm sorry, he just doesn't look that young in real life anymore. A much better better choice of narrator would have been James Lurie, who narrated "Buffet: the Making of an American Capitalist." His tone does not get in the way of the story. If you are not distracted by Plimpton usurping Chernow's work, this is still a fabulous work of biography, every bit as good as Chernow's other works and perhaps better.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: A truely unbelievable story of a man and a vision. Why would a person give millions to a charity, but then at the drop of a hat, argue over being cheated out of literally pennies. He was not a man, he was a machine. A man that set goals and achieved them. Simply because he refused to quit, and took up a challange whenever it was offered. The historical information is terrific. The author has done extensive research, and is able to talk about his every life in extreme detail. Some parts should have been kept secret.
Rating:
Summary: Superb work of literature about an incredible man !
Review: Buy this book ! I think that says it all. It's rare when one finds a book this lenghty that moves at the speed of light. From the first page I was held captive to the story of a man who came from nothing to become the world's first billionaire. A remarkable man - a remarkable book !
Rating:
Summary: Very long, but worth it for the detail
Review: When I received this book as a Christmas present I was not sure if it was punishment or truly a gift. Clearly it was the latter. A fresh, even-handed look at the life of Mr. Standard Oil himself with most of the warts and the accolades presented. One criticism lies in that Chernow never really presents any damning criticism or analysis for some very unethical practices. He leaves that to the reader and while in some cases, it's appropriate, in others it is not. It's amazing how a person so pious and truly interested in his faith could never reconcile his religious and his business lives. The ethical/morality tale has much modern relevance and like good history allows us to understand the past so it is not repeated in the future. In the end I wondered, what will Mr. Softy read like 50 years from now as the story of Bill Gates is shared.
Rating:
Summary: A History Lesson
Review: You could very well teach history as well as general business from this book. This book well documents Rockefeller's very humble beginnings. From wearing rags to the richest man in the universe. Rockefeller showed business cunning as well as an opportunistic streak in creating a huge business empire. The company created by Rockefeller was larger that the governments of some countries. It also covers the breakup of Standard Oil by the use of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. A very good coverage of the life of Rockefeller andhis accomplishments as well as his shortcomings. A must buy.
Rating:
Summary: a fascinating biography and a great insight in monopolies
Review: What really separates this book from other biographies is the virtually unbiased approach with which Chernow examined the subject and his clear understanding of Rockefeller's motivations and reasoning. I personally thought that he emerged as quite a sympathetic character. He was extremely simple and non-ostentatious (compare with Andrew Carnegie and JP Morgan). He was very devoted to religion and it was religion that gave him the justification for total control of the oil refining industry. He honestly believed that this chaotic industry (populated in its early days with unreligious cowboy types)needed a strong shepherd to control the flock. With hindsight, we can see that his methods were not helpful to the greater good, but in the 1870s business ethics were non-existent. After a few chapters, Rockefeller's humility and austerity does get a little tiring and the constant references to Baptism show Rockefeller as a bit of a religious fanatic. Finally, I thought it was generally fascinating to learn more about this enigmatic man and his nascent industry. (Message to Bill Gates: Rockefeller made most of his money after Standard Oil was broken up into Exxon, Texaco, Arco, Mobil etc...)
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