Business Biographies and Memoirs - Titans of Industry: Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt

By: J.R. MacGregor

Narrated by: Kevin Kollins

Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The five Titans of Industry discussed in this series are, without a doubt, the most influential and impactful men in American history. Without any one of them, the entire landscape of the US would be different. They are the founders of the American economy.

We live in a world today that is based on the actions of John D. Rockefeller. Everything we do and how we live are the result of oil and its power.

J.P. Morgan is more than just the name on one of the largest banks in America. He built the financial world we live in today.

Henry Ford not only revolutionized the automobile industry, but the assembly line he created has changed the way the entire world thinks about manufacturing.

Grab a copy, pull up a chair, pour your favorite listening beverage, and dive in to the lives of the men who built America.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie amassed wealth that inspired generations of entrepreneurs and industrialists. Starting with nothing in Scotland, he gradually built so much wealth that those at the top of the current Forbes list would still not be able to match him.

He began working at a young age, and the lessons he learned from observing his surroundings gave him the foundational structure that allowed him to build his wealth and etch his name in the minds of generations to come.

J.P. Morgan

J.P. Morgan is more than just the name on one of the largest banks in America. He was a man who altered the course of American finance and the chief financier for the strategic interests of the titans of the day, such as Carnegie and Rockefeller. He also financed new and ingenious technologies developed by Thomas Edison and was a visionary who saw the potential in Nikola Tesla.

His ability was not limited to Wall Street, though, and his reputation was not bound by the shores of America. He touched core industries in his lifetime, from shipping to power to steel and provided the spark that reignited the economic soul of America after the Crash of 1907.

John D. Rockefeller

Rockefeller was the quintessential industrialist. He created an industry out of nascent oil and gas start-ups during a time when none existed. He was strategic in his thinking, choosing to enter the refining side of the oil industry instead of the exploring and drilling aspect of it. He started with one refinery, and then quickly bought up more than 90 percent of his competitors in the state within a few short years.

The story of Rockefeller as told in this book provides a deep view of the oil industry and is told from a very human and real perspective. It looks at the events that shaped his life, from the shenanigans of his crooked father to the pleasant and philanthropic old man that he became.

Henry Ford

The Ford name is everywhere. It is ingrained in the American way of life. From the way we make our food to the way we think about cars, it all came from the mind of this Irishman from Michigan.

This book covers his life from when his family immigrated to Michigan until his last breath. It recounts a life from the perspective of someone who wants to understand the genius and spirit within everyone.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt I had no illusions about his life. He didn’t start out with grand plans and ungodly greed. He merely stepped in this world one foot at a time, one boat at a time, one market at a time - one day at a time. He worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week. He worked hard and played hard. When all was said and done, though, he was a simple man who pushed the world of transportation to be all it could be - to be what it is today.

©2019 CAC Publishing LLC (P)2019 CAC Publishing LLC

Biography

J.R. MacGregor's biography of Business Biographies and Memoirs - Titans of Industry: Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt is methodical, balanced, and inspirational. I would recommend the book to anyone with an interest in American history, business management, or philanthropy.

Bias

Although the author sincerely attempted to be non-biased religious and political views came through. However overall I feel I have a much better understanding of these great men. I would listen to it again.

A very well written book

A very well written book, the English language used is of a very high class, in combination with a very rich and interesting story of one of the greatest business builders in the 19/20th century. Highly recommended.

Great book

Great book by a great man worth the listen definitely. looking forward to picking up other books by J.R. MacGregor

Loved this book

This is the 1st book by J.R. MacGregor that I have listen. His books led me to one of his earliest biographies. What they all have in common is a personal picture of Americans who have had a fundamental impact on this nation for good or ill. I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book that dealt with the life of Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Mr. J.R. MacGregor points out so well that there is both a good and bad of them who had so much to do with the creation of an Industrial American Economy in the Post Civil War Era. There is the greed of the monopolist who attempted to eliminate competition without regard to the untold harm it could cause to our economic prosperity. Then you see a man who was undoubtedly the wealthiest man in America committed to giving away the wealth he had accumulated to improve the society that had allowed such disparity in wealth. There is a dichotomy here that is very difficult to judge. If we advocate a laissez-faire free market economy, such disparity seems to me is inevitable. In this book I saw both good and evil in this man. J.R. MacGregor helps you to consider what kind of cooperation is necessary in a free democracy.

Wealth, power

This book provides insights into Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt character, personality, their ambitions, flaws, faults, and weaknesses as a man and empire builder the way view other books have. It gives us a vivid picture of the contradictions and opposing forces that were at work inside of them and the factors that affected them and drove them to be so relentless and some would say ruthless in their drive for wealth, power.

A bit disjointed

Informative but disjointed. Almost seemed hastily put together.
The performance sounded like a click bait YouTube video. His cadence didn’t vary or match with the subject matter. It was quite soporific. Had to turn it off in the car.

Great book

Great book. Biography is awesome, which goes without saying. The gospel of wealth is particularly interesting because it still stands true. Its very interesting to listen the father pieces of what has became todays self help, and 4 hour work week style books. Awesome listen !

Great American road trip

A fascinating story about a 10 year road trip.. featuring primarily Henry Ford and others, 5 of the most famous persons in the early 20th century.

J.R. MacGregor is a masterful storyteller, and this one of his best. Listeners are taken along for an extended road trip. The relationship between them is featured throughout, and listeners will get an idea of the anti-semitic views of Ford as well.

The wives of the 5 men are also featured, and a character named Jep Bisbee is one of the pleasant surprises of the book. Easy listening and thoroughly enjoyable. History buffs will undoubtedly enjoy.

A very personal

A very personal and honest book about one of the most well known families in our nation. Leaves one thinking, would I want all that wealth or not and how would I handle such an estate.