This is a well-documented and authoritative biography of John D. Rockefeller, the rapacious creator of the Standard Oil Company, which was to refine and market more than 90% of oil produced in America. The oil business brought Rockefeller a colossal amount of wealth, but legions of muckrakers denounced him for resorting to unscrupulous tactics to build his oil empire.

While piling up evidence of Rockefeller's misconduct, Ron Chernow sheds some light on his philanthropies. The oil tycoon donated an enormous sum in support of medical research and to universities and churches. In 1913, he established the Rockefeller Foundation, avowedly to promote the well-being of mankind. Titan paints a well-rounded portrait of this fascinating and complicated man, revealing much about his private life, family scandals and misfortunes.