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John D. Rockefeller: A Life from Beginning to End
John D. Rockefeller * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. John D. Rockefeller, the wealthiest man of all time, amassed a fortune as he led the Standard Oil Company to an unprecedented position of power in the industrial markets. In addition to being a successful businessman, he was also a generous philanthropist. But somewhere between the money he earned and the money he gave away lies a mystery that remains unsolved. How could someone so generous have been so hated in his time? How could someone so successful have been so despised by the public, the press, and the government? Was Rockefeller a villain or a hero? The truth is that he was both. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Son of Devil Bill and a Baptist Woman ✓ Rockefeller Finds Black Gold ✓ Standard Oil Company ✓ The Only Game in Town ✓ Give as Much as You Can ✓ Life and Legacy And much more! In an era which saw American businessmen accrue unprecedented power and wealth by means of practices that would later be judged illegal by the Supreme Court, Rockefeller saw his opportunities as both a gift from God and a responsibility to the public, with a dash of Darwinian survival tactics thrown in for good measure. Today’s captains of industry may not use the same techniques that Rockefeller employed, but in many ways, the bold entrepreneurs who dominate the stock market and the headlines are apprentices to his ruthless genius. Series Biographies of Business Leaders Book 4
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2017
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 26, 2017
John Davison Rockefeller was both the essence and epitome of the “self-made man.” The vicissitudes of his early life proved of little hindrance to his later business successes. John was born on July 8, 1839, in Richford, New York, and was brought up under a strong maternal influence of his mother, Eliza (Davison); from his father, William, he thankfully retained nothing but the family name. John’s mother had a strong and marked influence on his religious (Baptist) upbringing and beliefs. She also had an influence on the ethical (rather than the fiduciary) side of the business.
As to be expected, Rockefeller’s business aspirations started small but soon grew like the proverbial “runaway snowball.” He was an abolitionist but opted not to serve in the armed forces like his brother, Frank, and instead paid for another to take his place, a common practice of the time. He continued to prosper in business during the war but after the war, the United States and indeed the world had drastically changed. Rockefeller was now in his element and the thrived in this new world of commerce and trade. Rockefeller can’t be accredited with the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania, nor can he take the laurels for first drilling for the “black gold.” What he can take credit for is seeing the value in refining it into any number of usable products and byproducts. Together with Maurice Clark and Samuel Andrews, Rockefeller built a refinery in Ohio to process the vast quantity of oil being pumped from the earth. This company went through several mutations before finally taking on the name Standard Oil Company.
People can both love and admire John D. Rockefeller or they can despise and condemn his ruthless avaricious business practices. The truth, as is generally the case, lies somewhere in the middle. This short biography lights on certain motivating aspects of his life and business. It also enunciates his philanthropic works of later life. This book answers a few questions but poses many more. It is up to the reader to delve deeper into this man’s life and accomplishments to glean a true picture of John D. Rockefeller, and once the richest man on earth.
As to be expected, Rockefeller’s business aspirations started small but soon grew like the proverbial “runaway snowball.” He was an abolitionist but opted not to serve in the armed forces like his brother, Frank, and instead paid for another to take his place, a common practice of the time. He continued to prosper in business during the war but after the war, the United States and indeed the world had drastically changed. Rockefeller was now in his element and the thrived in this new world of commerce and trade. Rockefeller can’t be accredited with the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania, nor can he take the laurels for first drilling for the “black gold.” What he can take credit for is seeing the value in refining it into any number of usable products and byproducts. Together with Maurice Clark and Samuel Andrews, Rockefeller built a refinery in Ohio to process the vast quantity of oil being pumped from the earth. This company went through several mutations before finally taking on the name Standard Oil Company.
People can both love and admire John D. Rockefeller or they can despise and condemn his ruthless avaricious business practices. The truth, as is generally the case, lies somewhere in the middle. This short biography lights on certain motivating aspects of his life and business. It also enunciates his philanthropic works of later life. This book answers a few questions but poses many more. It is up to the reader to delve deeper into this man’s life and accomplishments to glean a true picture of John D. Rockefeller, and once the richest man on earth.
June 22, 2023
I received this book from Amazon and it is part of the Hourly history collection (https://hourlyhistory.com). These books are mostly about historical events or historical persons.
This one is about John D. Rocksfeller ‐ one of the wealthiest people of all time. This short book has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book John D. Rocksfeller, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 4 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 5 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 3 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 4 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
John D. Rockefeller lived a moral private life. His business life, however, was another matter.
Eliza Rockefeller shaped her eldest son’s penchant for business from an ethical rather than a fiduciary influence as he developed a strong work ethic that reflected the Baptist creed he followed.
After high school, John studied bookkeeping, taking a ten-week business course at Folsom’s Commercial College.
Rockefeller went to work at the age of 16, finding employment as an office clerk and assistant bookkeeper
In 1872, within less than four months, Standard Oil managed to absorb 22 of the 26 competitors in Cleveland, an event which became known as the Cleveland Massacre.
He invented the concept of vertical integration through his control of the plant and the capital and the logistical distribution of Standard Oil’s product.
In 1882, he had had his lawyers create the Standard Oil Trust to centralize the company’s holdings through a corporation comprised of corporations. The Trust had nine trustees, of which Rockefeller was of course one, to run its forty-one companies. Standard Oil owned 20,000 domestic oil wells, employed more than 100,000 workers, controlled 4,000 miles of pipeline, and possessed 5,000 tank cars.
Standard Oil of New Jersey would become Exxon, and Standard Oil of New York would become Mobil.
“I was early taught to work as well as play. My life has been one long, happy holiday. Full of work and full of play, I dropped the worry on the way. And God was good to me every day.” —John D. Rockefeller
It could be argued that Rockefeller was neither villain nor hero but merely a product of his time. He was a man who used his talents to advance his future and in doing so, promoted American business interests.
This one is about John D. Rocksfeller ‐ one of the wealthiest people of all time. This short book has all the important information about him in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
This is my assessment of this book John D. Rocksfeller, by Hourly history according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 4 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 5 stars
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 4 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 3 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 4 stars
Some excerpts from the book:
John D. Rockefeller lived a moral private life. His business life, however, was another matter.
Eliza Rockefeller shaped her eldest son’s penchant for business from an ethical rather than a fiduciary influence as he developed a strong work ethic that reflected the Baptist creed he followed.
After high school, John studied bookkeeping, taking a ten-week business course at Folsom’s Commercial College.
Rockefeller went to work at the age of 16, finding employment as an office clerk and assistant bookkeeper
In 1872, within less than four months, Standard Oil managed to absorb 22 of the 26 competitors in Cleveland, an event which became known as the Cleveland Massacre.
He invented the concept of vertical integration through his control of the plant and the capital and the logistical distribution of Standard Oil’s product.
In 1882, he had had his lawyers create the Standard Oil Trust to centralize the company’s holdings through a corporation comprised of corporations. The Trust had nine trustees, of which Rockefeller was of course one, to run its forty-one companies. Standard Oil owned 20,000 domestic oil wells, employed more than 100,000 workers, controlled 4,000 miles of pipeline, and possessed 5,000 tank cars.
Standard Oil of New Jersey would become Exxon, and Standard Oil of New York would become Mobil.
“I was early taught to work as well as play. My life has been one long, happy holiday. Full of work and full of play, I dropped the worry on the way. And God was good to me every day.” —John D. Rockefeller
It could be argued that Rockefeller was neither villain nor hero but merely a product of his time. He was a man who used his talents to advance his future and in doing so, promoted American business interests.
June 21, 2020
This book gives a view into the life of the first few industrialists of the modern world - John D. Rockefeller. His personality was very contradictory. On one hand, he was very benevolent towards the poor and the destitute, he was ruthless when it came to his rivals and competitors. If he had his way, he would bury them underground without an iota of remorse. He strongly believed in charity. Even during his worse times, he never failed to donate, perhaps a habit developed at young age at the insistence of his mother.
It also describes how the oil was first discovered in the USA and how John was at the right place and at the right time to leverage it to his own advantage. People complain of long books but here I would complain that the book has failed to give a detailed account of his life, his business dealings. It has briefly touched upon various phases of his life. It just helps us know about his life, not able to derive any lessons out of it, which is the main purpose of reading a book.
It also describes how the oil was first discovered in the USA and how John was at the right place and at the right time to leverage it to his own advantage. People complain of long books but here I would complain that the book has failed to give a detailed account of his life, his business dealings. It has briefly touched upon various phases of his life. It just helps us know about his life, not able to derive any lessons out of it, which is the main purpose of reading a book.
March 25, 2024
This book is a good introduction to Rockefeller I suppose if you’ve never heard of him or heard his name but don’t know who he was. It’s very rudimentary information about him. And ironically for a one hour book, there’s a lot of repetition. There is a basic timeline for his life which is great for kids to learn and place him in an historical setting. The more I think about it, I think this is a great book for young people to get to know him. Late elementary/ middle school. There is some mention in the beginning of his father’s exploits so you might want to pre-read it - but other than that- a great introduction to Rockefeller for young students. High schoolers could use this as an introduction to him to get an idea if they want to do further research.
I’m keeping the two star rating because this book is marketed to adults, but as a children’s book, it’s a solid 4-star and possibly 5-star. I would likely knock it down to 4 because of the information provided regarding his dad not being appropriate for elementary.
I’m keeping the two star rating because this book is marketed to adults, but as a children’s book, it’s a solid 4-star and possibly 5-star. I would likely knock it down to 4 because of the information provided regarding his dad not being appropriate for elementary.
April 23, 2021
An Incredible Disappointment
As someone who reads histories, including biographies, to learn more about the shape of today's world and how it came to be, I was looking forward to reading about John D. Rockefeller, one of the "movers and shakers" of the era. What I got was, essentially, an essay that might have been acceptable in a ninth-grade history class, but not as item for sale.
Fortunately for me, I read this as a Kindle Unlimited selection. If you are a KU reader, don't waste your time with this so-called history. If you are not a KU reader, don't waste your time or your money.
As someone who reads histories, including biographies, to learn more about the shape of today's world and how it came to be, I was looking forward to reading about John D. Rockefeller, one of the "movers and shakers" of the era. What I got was, essentially, an essay that might have been acceptable in a ninth-grade history class, but not as item for sale.
Fortunately for me, I read this as a Kindle Unlimited selection. If you are a KU reader, don't waste your time with this so-called history. If you are not a KU reader, don't waste your time or your money.
January 3, 2020
After reading over 100 of these studies of various famous (and infamous) historical figures, I have to say that this book offers the best balance of information. We learn about Rockefeller's beginnings, his personal life, his business life, what his belief-system was, how he changed America, touched on his children and their lives, his philanthropy, and then the end of Rockefeller's life. It's all there in less than 50 pages. When I finished reading this, I felt I really knew what made John D. Rockefeller tick. Thank you, Hourly History.
April 26, 2020
I am reading Empire Summer Moon at the same time reading Rockefeller. Both occur at . about the same time period . Hard to justify the treatment of the native Americans. If not for men like Rockefeller would America reached the clinical of the industrial revelution, but was it nessasary
to about eliminate the American indian? Do the Rockefeller family still own property in Ormond Beach? Is there a museum in the location?
to about eliminate the American indian? Do the Rockefeller family still own property in Ormond Beach? Is there a museum in the location?
July 16, 2020
I learned a lot about John D. Rockefeller, Standard Oil, his parents, and his wife in the short biography. It found it quite fascinating that he was a ruthless business man and yet an extremely generous philanthropist. I think it could be argued that he did much good by the end of his life. This book is worth the read.
June 12, 2023
Rockefeller was a very Complex Man
I was aware of the Rockefeller Foundation but I didn’t know about his financial support for the Education of Illiterate African Americans and his many donations to African American Churches. On one hand, he was a ruthless business man and yet he was a religious man that believe in and practiced charity.
I was aware of the Rockefeller Foundation but I didn’t know about his financial support for the Education of Illiterate African Americans and his many donations to African American Churches. On one hand, he was a ruthless business man and yet he was a religious man that believe in and practiced charity.
February 7, 2024
Insightful but poorly edited
The book was insightful and mostly well written, but poorly edited. It includes a lot of information in a short read. This book gives mostly board strokes that make you want to search out the details.
It's a good read for anyone looking for a wave top view into the life of John F. Rockefeller and his family.
The book was insightful and mostly well written, but poorly edited. It includes a lot of information in a short read. This book gives mostly board strokes that make you want to search out the details.
It's a good read for anyone looking for a wave top view into the life of John F. Rockefeller and his family.
October 16, 2024
Good overview of an amazing man
A very cursory review but one that can be gone thru in 30-40 minutes, easily, and keep one entertained. His ruthlessness was downplayed somewhat, as where the changes he brought to a new nation. Nice read, will probably encourage a more thorough review in a biography.
A very cursory review but one that can be gone thru in 30-40 minutes, easily, and keep one entertained. His ruthlessness was downplayed somewhat, as where the changes he brought to a new nation. Nice read, will probably encourage a more thorough review in a biography.
December 3, 2017
Short but detailed and with enough content.
Short but covers everything,almost. Thumbs up. It was detailed enough from the author to include most of the important points from his life.
Short but covers everything,almost. Thumbs up. It was detailed enough from the author to include most of the important points from his life.
October 9, 2019
Avaricious and generous
It seems that we are living in a second gilded age and Amazon is the new Standard Oil. It was new and interesting that they were abolitionists and donated to Afro American churches and colleges.
It seems that we are living in a second gilded age and Amazon is the new Standard Oil. It was new and interesting that they were abolitionists and donated to Afro American churches and colleges.
March 16, 2021
Enjoy reading this short piece
You can learn a lot about the gilded age, the time in which Rockefeller lived. By the way, this book didn’t mention the vast amount of charity work that Rockefeller did in China.
You can learn a lot about the gilded age, the time in which Rockefeller lived. By the way, this book didn’t mention the vast amount of charity work that Rockefeller did in China.
July 30, 2021
Good book
Great insights into Mr. Rockerfeller's life ...his contribution to the American society. Book also gives sense of how laws were getting evolved as economy was sifting towards manufacturing
Great insights into Mr. Rockerfeller's life ...his contribution to the American society. Book also gives sense of how laws were getting evolved as economy was sifting towards manufacturing
March 11, 2026
Very interesting biography on a very interesting man. The author was very careful to maintain a "neutral" attitude toward the subject and provide both good and bad sides of the life of JDR providing a good context with which to understand him.
December 24, 2018
Too much info; too little
What info was there was interesting, but just too much to know about JD Rockefeller for such a short overview. I found it a bit confusing.
What info was there was interesting, but just too much to know about JD Rockefeller for such a short overview. I found it a bit confusing.
August 24, 2019
John D.
Nice concise review of both the man and the era of the “Robber Barons”. An easy read - really appreciated!
Nice concise review of both the man and the era of the “Robber Barons”. An easy read - really appreciated!
April 12, 2020
Rockefeller
Overall book was very informative....found out that Rockefeller was a very generous person which I didn't know before and his kids were all very educated.
Overall book was very informative....found out that Rockefeller was a very generous person which I didn't know before and his kids were all very educated.
July 5, 2020
A thoughtful review of John D. Rockefeller's life and works.
August 6, 2020
Great read
Nice one by hourly history to give you a look into the life of the great Standard Oil creator Rockefeller
Nice one by hourly history to give you a look into the life of the great Standard Oil creator Rockefeller
April 6, 2021
Great series
This was the 7th book I’ve read in this series. I’ve good them all to be good reads. Looking forward to choosing my next one.
This was the 7th book I’ve read in this series. I’ve good them all to be good reads. Looking forward to choosing my next one.
November 11, 2023
interesting
A concise review of John D. Rockefeller. I found it very interesting and learned many things I did not know.
A concise review of John D. Rockefeller. I found it very interesting and learned many things I did not know.
May 8, 2024
A pioneer who lead the way and helped so many. A visit to The Casements is always nice.
March 2, 2021
A whole new side to the story. All the detail of his faith and frugal habits that before where not evident to me but the author showed a whole new sign of what was previously a tyrant and beast. His giving to the African Americans was somehow hidden from any previous disclosure. His family being taught to earn their keep and his unbendable Baptist faith were his trademarks.
January 1, 2021
Amazed at what he saw in his life.
In 98 years, he developed oil, kerosene businesses and lived through the invention of the light bulb. That was a huge moment for me. Clearly I take the light bulb for granted.
This goes on to discuss his business practices, that reads more like the teacher in Charlie Brown ... Blah, blah, blah. Ethical vs Unethical behaviors.
I like the human aspect of his life. His education, church, family, and his work ethic.
In 98 years, he developed oil, kerosene businesses and lived through the invention of the light bulb. That was a huge moment for me. Clearly I take the light bulb for granted.
This goes on to discuss his business practices, that reads more like the teacher in Charlie Brown ... Blah, blah, blah. Ethical vs Unethical behaviors.
I like the human aspect of his life. His education, church, family, and his work ethic.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews