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John D. Rockefeller: America’s First Billionaire
How does the son of a flamboyant, bigamous snake-oil salesman become history's first billionaire and one of its greatest philanthropists?
John D. Rockefeller, Sr., is one of the most monumental and enigmatic figures in American history. Was he the cold-blooded monster who built a ruthless monopoly on the backs of his rivals? Or was he a quirky, devout, and misunderstood man who gave away his immense fortune to reshape the world for the better?
In this episode of Playing Books, we pull back the curtain on this American icon by diving deep into Ron Chernow's definitive National Book Award-winning biography, "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr."Drawing on unprecedented, unrestricted access to Rockefeller's private papers, Chernow paints a startlingly new portrait of the man who defined modern capitalism.
Join us as we explore:
The Blueprint of a Monopoly: The shocking and unscrupulous tactics—from industrial espionage to collusion with railroads—that Rockefeller used to build Standard Oil into "the Octopus" that controlled 90% of America's oil.
The Man Behind the Mask: Uncover the quirky, eccentric, and deeply religious man who advocated for temperance while methodically crushing his competition.
Clash of the Titans: The epic, decades-long battle between Rockefeller and President Teddy Roosevelt's trustbusters, a crusade that aimed to bring the nation's most feared businessman to justice.
Family Secrets & Scandals: Discover the tragedies, misfortunes, and hidden family stories that have never before come to light, revealing the human cost of a dynasty.
From Mogul to Philanthropist: How the world's most controversial capitalist transformed into one of its most generous benefactors, founding institutions that continue to shape our world today.
This episode is your gateway to understanding not just a man, but a pivotal moment in American history—the dramatic rise of the giant corporation and the birth of the Gilded Age.
Love what you hear? This is just the beginning. We've barely scratched the surface of this monumental story. To get the full, incredibly detailed account, purchase your own copy of "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr." by Ron Chernow.
Buy the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VMUOBP, and at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or from your favorite bookseller.
Did this episode change your view of Rockefeller? We want to hear from you.
Please share this episode with a friend who loves history or business, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and be sure to follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite listening app for more episodes into the books that shape our world.
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By WorthscopeHow does the son of a flamboyant, bigamous snake-oil salesman become history's first billionaire and one of its greatest philanthropists?
John D. Rockefeller, Sr., is one of the most monumental and enigmatic figures in American history. Was he the cold-blooded monster who built a ruthless monopoly on the backs of his rivals? Or was he a quirky, devout, and misunderstood man who gave away his immense fortune to reshape the world for the better?
In this episode of Playing Books, we pull back the curtain on this American icon by diving deep into Ron Chernow's definitive National Book Award-winning biography, "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr."Drawing on unprecedented, unrestricted access to Rockefeller's private papers, Chernow paints a startlingly new portrait of the man who defined modern capitalism.
Join us as we explore:
The Blueprint of a Monopoly: The shocking and unscrupulous tactics—from industrial espionage to collusion with railroads—that Rockefeller used to build Standard Oil into "the Octopus" that controlled 90% of America's oil.
The Man Behind the Mask: Uncover the quirky, eccentric, and deeply religious man who advocated for temperance while methodically crushing his competition.
Clash of the Titans: The epic, decades-long battle between Rockefeller and President Teddy Roosevelt's trustbusters, a crusade that aimed to bring the nation's most feared businessman to justice.
Family Secrets & Scandals: Discover the tragedies, misfortunes, and hidden family stories that have never before come to light, revealing the human cost of a dynasty.
From Mogul to Philanthropist: How the world's most controversial capitalist transformed into one of its most generous benefactors, founding institutions that continue to shape our world today.
This episode is your gateway to understanding not just a man, but a pivotal moment in American history—the dramatic rise of the giant corporation and the birth of the Gilded Age.
Love what you hear? This is just the beginning. We've barely scratched the surface of this monumental story. To get the full, incredibly detailed account, purchase your own copy of "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr." by Ron Chernow.
Buy the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VMUOBP, and at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or from your favorite bookseller.
Did this episode change your view of Rockefeller? We want to hear from you.
Please share this episode with a friend who loves history or business, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and be sure to follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite listening app for more episodes into the books that shape our world.