The Rockefellers Audiobook By Peter Collier, David Horowitz cover art

The Rockefellers

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The Rockefellers

By: Peter Collier, David Horowitz
Narrated by: Michael Anthony
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Against a richly detailed backdrop of history, the story of this unique American family unfolds. It begins with John D. Rockefeller Sr., who amassed a fortune amid the muck and disorder of the Pennsylvania oil fields and left his son to deal with the public outcry. It follows Rockefeller Jr. as he built the charities and foundations that made the name a public institution. And it tracks the lives of the five Rockefeller brothers. Here then is Laurance, clever and charming as a youth, burned out and cynical by middle age; Winthrop, the shy, awkward, black sheep who finally made a mark for himself in the eyes of everyone but his family; JDR3, introverted and anxious even after years of proving himself; David, a man on the move who took the nation's front-ranking bank and made it number three; and Nelson, ambitious, aggressive, the brother who broke the unwritten family code.

©1976 by Peter Collier and David Horowitz (P)1993 by Blackstone Audiobooks Americas Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity
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When I started reading the book, I was thrilled with the fact that I am reading about Mr. Rockefeller, the person who created Standard Oil. Little did I know that the book deals more with the lives of the other members of the Rockefeller family. The lives of John D Rockefeller (Senior as well as the Junior) is only around 40% of the entire book. It deals with the four generations of Rockfellers. I found the book a bit lengthy and at times boring as it went too much of detailing. Read it, keeping in mind that you are not only reading about the person who created Standard Oil, but about three generations on how the 'Oil Money' impacted their lives.

Too Long

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Would you listen to The Rockefellers again? Why?

I thought it was good - lots of history - but by the 4th generation - well who are they and what are they doing - wasn't that interested - the first Guy and then the ones after for 2nd and 3rd generation up to lots! Too long - 32 hours or more - too much.

What other book might you compare The Rockefellers to and why?

I also did Carnegie - that's a lot of listening too! Was good though but too long.

I'd get Abrdiged next time

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This book was disappointing on a couple of levels. 1) the target was too broad and therefore the level of detail insufficient, 2) the presentation was the worst I have ever heard. Chronic editing problems where the performer spoke softly while reading the majority and then would get this blaring voice in voice-overs where he didn't. Further, the reading in my mind wasn't fully appropriate as he switched to his..."lesser" voice when reading quotes from certain people, certainly several of the Rockefellers, but also all women. The voice that is put on is whiny and unpleasant, which for the first many hours you think is his projection of an opinion of Jr., but later learn it's an artifact of the presentation which changes the emotional reaction to certain characters in an unfortunate way.

A hard listen

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Would not recommend.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The first and second chapters, covering the rise of John D. Rockefeller and "Junior" were very well done. The sections covering the third and fourth generation were much more diluted. The people were far less interesting and yet they were given as much attention as the truly great John D and Junior.

Did Michael Anthony do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, although I can't explain "how." I could always tell when and which character was talking.

Do you think The Rockefellers needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Hard to say whether or not a follow-up is necessary. At the time the book was written, the third generation was still mid-stream, and the whiny fourth generation were mid-stream in their self-absorption. If they accomplished anything worthwhile it might be worth hearing.

Any additional comments?

Audible needs to have "The Tycoons" available, as well as something along the lines of "The Men Who Built America."

A flashback to the '70s

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The book is very interesting. The narration is very dry, but it matches the style of the book. My issue is more with the production value. The volume goes up and down, to the point where in some instances, it actually made my speakers sound terrible. The cuts are very noticeable and can be distracting. Sometimes the cuts are so bad and so out of sync, that it even sounds like a different narrator.

Bad Production

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A disappointment as far as such interesting subject matter, yet the narrator drones and drones on like a torture procedure. The narrator sounds like a robot, and repeatedly mispronounces words. If you are narrating any book, DO YOUR RESEARCH and learn how to pronounce what you are narrating! UGH such a waste of time and energy on what could have been a profoundly gripping story. After about two sentences your mind starts to wander, and it is practically impossible to actively listen and put the story and facts together. An abridged story for fifth graders would be better, and of course, with an animated storyteller! DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME….

Terrible narration, difficult to follow.

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