Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let me begin with the fact that Chernow's composition and writing style are outstanding. The man has great talent and an obvious intellect. The book begins with a bang and builds to a crescendo- at first. The development of Rockefeller's origins, early life and ascendancy to the worlds richest man, and the captain of American Industry is breathtaking. The detail about his massive and discrete giving are awe inspiring. I couldn't put the book down and burned through the first 300 pages in a few days. Then it happened: Chernow's hatred of Rockefeller's Evangelical Christian world view became too much for him to bear and the book sags into leftist drivel and sanctimony by page +/- 325. It just gets worse from there. It becomes pretentious, and snippy- slouching toward all out hatred for Rockefeller's success springing from the Christian doctrines of self denial, industry, thrift and generosity. While Chernow treats Rockefeller's Bible Based World View with fairness and thoroughness in the beginning, and attributes Rockefeller's genuineness and success to Rockefeller's Christian convictions, the envy and contempt of the author bleeds through and stains the rest of the book.The reader is treated to constant haranguing and insults directed toward Christianity generally, and Rockefeller's practition thereof specifically. Rockefeller's life was nothing short of overwhelming. His candor, authenticity, tireless commitment to Abolition, Education, and Temperance all bubble from the wellspring of his Christian convictions. His detractors such as Ida Tarbell and other angry socialists do as much to burnish Rockefeller's reputation as his own good works. I was taught as a youth to "hate" the "Robber Barrons" (another totally fake Identifier of the original American builder/makers) and dismiss Rockefeller as an evil greedy man. I was lied to! I have a new and great admiration for this authentic and invaluable American hero- thanks to Chernow's book, and my trained critical thinker's discipline to consider the motive of all editorials.