Rating: 
Summary: A well-considered biography
Review: Though I felt Mr Chernow was labouring to find my ancestor to be the 'greatest villain of the age', I concluded the biography both even-handed and well-considered.
Rating: 
Summary: Biased from the start
Review: Admittedly, many people already have an opinion of John D. Rockefeller, and many feel that he was greedy and evil. Just the same, the choice of language throughout the book is always negative to Rockefeller. He is never a good guy, even when attending church or donating money. He isn't upright, he's prudish. He isn't religious, he's sanctimonious. He doesn't form agreements, he forms cabals. Not knowing a lot about Rockefeller, I was hoping this would tell something of him. Not so. There are paragraphs saying that he only has religion and business as his activities, then suddenly we discover that he likes fast horses (and apparently has for years, since he owns several).This book reads much more like a rambling history of things that went on around Rockefeller than actual unbiased information about the man. A telling point might be that we never think of him as John, always as Mr. Rockefeller.
Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately unsatisfactory for this reader
Review: I'd like to echo the view that (a) it's written in a manner that's a pleasure to read, but (b) it does not explain why Standard Oil was a bigger and bigger success over the decades when Rockefeller was in charge, and (c) it gives far too many pages to Rockefeller's retirement years (and to the lives of his children). Before I read it, I had the vague idea that Rockefeller was the incarnation of greed; the book corrected me on that. But after I read it, I had no idea why Standard Oil was so sensationally successful, and this was what I really wanted to know. They had lower prices and higher profits. Why? You won't find the answer in this book. The only suggestion offered is that they had economies of scale in the matter of railroad transportation costs.
Rating:
Summary: Long-winded apology for a robber-baron
Review: Ron Chernow is obviously a talented writer with a gift for entertaining and compelling narrative. His thematic choices in Titan, however, leave much to be desired. John D. Rockefeller lied, cheated, bribed, and bullied his way to becoming one of the richest and one of the most powerful men in our history. The story of Standard Oil's rise and hegemony is one of ruthless and often criminal rapacity. One might think that Rockefeller's role in all of this might be the most interesting aspect of his life (maybe ? - perhaps ?). Not so for Mr. Chernow. Titan gives us little in the way of the nuts and bolts of what Rockefeller actually did (or more likely had others do for him) to become one of the most feared and hated men in America. Even when he discusses the subject, much of Chernow's attention is diverted to exposing the flaws of Rockefeller's pitiful rivals (apparenly, they wanted to make a lot of money too) and to quibbling with the factual accuracy of his contemporary critics (Rockefeller did not steal from widows!!). Instead, Chernow devotes considerable attention to Rockefeller's charitable donations and his religious beliefs. The story of the reviled oil trust serves as mere backdrop for Rockefeller's philanthropic innovations and his moralizing, particularly his rationalization of the relationship between his Baptist beliefs and his money-making. While interesting, this is not what I was looking for in a book about John D. Rockefeller. Chernow does give us bits and pieces from a three-year interview of Rockefeller conducted by William O. Inglis for an authorized bigraphy which was never published. I found myself wishing for direct access to the actual interview transcript rather than having to rely on Chernow's selections and friendly interpretations. From the little of the interview directly quoted, one gets a revealing glimpse (albeit a brief one) of something lurking behind the pious and philanthropic Rockefeller facade, something a little darker and certainly more honest and interesting than what we are given in Titan. A little more digging (and a little different digging) might have transformed this diappointment of a book into a true titan.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and exhaustive!!
Review: Mr Chernow, of whose books I have all, does an excellent job in not concentrating too much on John D's personal life. Historians and others are only really interested in the Rockefellers because of Standard Oil and it's place in history. Exxon Mobil, BP Amoco, and Chevron all have a common heritage in this man, and that is why he is interesting. The current spate of mergers sees the resurrection of a new Standard Oil trust, hence the good timing of this book. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: The influence of religion upon Rockefellar's life is immense
Review: It is unclear that the moral dictates of traditional religion prevailed in Rockefeller's business practices. But Chernow's book reveals compellingly that religious tenets guided Rockefeller's philanthopy. This dichotomy in the practices of the making of money and the giving away of money stimulate the reader to examine the behavior of the media and computer titans of today. Wealth achieved from the populariety of violent movies or by exploiting low-wage labor to make silicon-based products is todays immoral equivalent to Rockefeller's actions to create Standard Oil.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding profile of a complex businessman
Review: If, like I, all you knew of John Rockefeller was that he was rich and really, really old, this book is for you. The author cronicles the rise of Rocky from abject proverty to total power over the US oil industry. On the way you learn how Rocky created the modern corporation as well as the good and bad sides to this complex individual. The book is a bit longish but for the most part Rocky's life is a real page turner.
Rating:
Summary: Good biography -- but necessarily time and space bound
Review: A good book on what makes a great business leader at a certain time in the USA. For another look at business leadership, I also recommend "New Asian Emperors: The Overseas Chinese, their Strategies and Competitive Advantages" by George T. Haley et al.
Rating:
Summary: A Well Written Documentary of John D. Rockefeller Sr.
Review: I knew next to nothing about the life of John D. Rockefeller before I picked up this book. This book gave me great insight into the life of an often-misunderstood man who became something of an enigma in his time. I found it fascinating that he was something of a contrarion compared to his rich and powerful counterparts of the day. Although he would be the first billionaire in history, he was frugal with his money. He shunned high society life and refused to attend pretentious gatherings. He also refrained from smoking and drinking, unlike many of his counterparts. Although I agree with Ron Chernow that Rockefeller was unfairly blamed and scrutinized, I still find it hard to believe that a man, who was obsessively controlling of his business and finances, could not know about the gray areas of Standard Oil's business practices. The book was a little lengthy and focused a lot upon his philanthropic endeavors, but I can't find many faults with that. Standard Oil's influence never struck me until I read that Exon, Arco, Mobil and Chevron all originated from Standard Oil: talk about a legacy.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible travel back in time.
Review: This book will enable the historian, econamist, or anybody interested of our beginnings in capitalism, to better understand how america was built, and above all this very powerful man: John D. Rockefeller Sr.. The book is very well writen with a very easy flow of text, in short you will be reading Mr. Chernow's book and would not notice that a couple of hours has past.
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