Titan
Ron Chernow
12 people recommended it in 8 threads, 2013–2025.
What people on Hacker News said
With a talent for seeing things anew, Rockefeller could study an operation, break it down into component parts, and devise ways to improve it. In many ways, he anticipated the efficiency studies of engineer Frederick Winslow Taylor. Regarding each plant as infinitely perfectible, he created an atmosphere of ceaseless improvement.
I'd recommend Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. It covers the trials and tribulations as well as the brilliance and ruthless tactics taken to build Standard Oil.
Titan (about John Rockefeller and the making of Standard Oil) and House of Morgan (about J.P. Morgan, the man and the investment bank, and the making of the modern financial system) were both excellent.
To me great biographies are more addicting than great TV.
In related news, Titan just got bumped to the top of my reading list.
Where it comes up
- YC's Winter Reading List 2016 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things 2025 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books? 2023 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite non-fiction books of all time? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask: Read a book that changed your life? Title? 2013 · 1 recommendation