Ron Chernow's Titan is an epic biography of John D. Rockefeller, the man who defined the oil industry in the late 1800s. We discuss the monumental impact Rockefeller had on modern-day American capitalism and philanthropy, through his monopolization of the booming oil industry, his competitive practices to gain leverage over refiners (the Cleveland Massacre!) and railroads, and his relentless pursuit of delegation in management. In what is both an entertaining and insightful journey, we'll learn about the perils of not controlling your own distribution, why commodity markets rely so heavily on cost, and how antitrust concerns came to be. The story of John D. Rockefeller is one that all businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and investors should study.
Titan: The Life of John. D Rockefeller - Ron Chernow