Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

Ron Chernow's biography of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. examines the contradictions of one of America's most influential figures. Over nearly 98 years, Rockefeller was simultaneously known as a ruthless businessman whose Standard Oil Company dominated its industry, and as a major philanthropist who gave substantial sums to universities and medical centers. He was feared by competitors, criticized by reformers, and frequently caricatured in the press, yet remained largely enigmatic. Drawing on Rockefeller's private papers, Chernow traces his early life—marked by a father who was a swindler and bigamist—and his relentless accumulation of wealth. The biography also explores the religious conviction underlying his charitable giving, his relationship with his father, and the humor that characterized his later years. The work was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.