The History of Standard Oil: Volume 1


Read by Tom Weiss

(4.7 stars; 47 reviews)

The History of the Standard Oil Company is a book written by journalist Ida Tarbell in 1904. It was an exposé of the Standard Oil Company, run at that time by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller the richest figure in America's history. Originally serialized in 19 parts in McClure's magazine, the book was a seminal example of muckraking, and inspired many other journalists to write about trusts, large businesses that (in the absence of strong antitrust law in the 19th century) attempted to gain monopolies in various industries. The History of the Standard Oil Company was credited with hastening the breakup of Standard Oil, which came about in 1911. ( Summary by Wikipedia )

Note: This reading does not include any of the 36 Appendices. (9 hr 25 min)

Reviews

Fascinating expose


(5 stars)

An excellent expose of how a corporation acquires monopoly power and uses it to dominate the market, law and politics. The audio book is long, but very well read. I listen to the recording at a slightly faster pace.

Excellent Recording


(5 stars)

Great recording. Maybe... too great. Are you in the secret employ of the Standard Tom? Thanks for your work on this. I am looking forward to Part 2.


(4 stars)

Interesting book. Easy to listen to

As exhaustive as it is exhausting


(3.5 stars)

Standard oil should not have been broken up


(5 stars)

We need huge immensely powerfully corporations to controll the unruly masses. People on their own will think untowed thoughts contrary to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If Standard Oil were still around it would be making huge contributions to social justice and BIPOC affirming programs. Freedom is an anathema to social justice. We need to recreate standard oil. That way our lives can be more controlled and less anarchic. Always remember Big Corporations along with all encompassing government poverty programs are designed to help the little guy.