Refining Nature


Book Description

The Standard Oil Company emerged out of obscurity in the 1860s to capture 90 percent of the petroleum refining industry in the United States during the Gilded Age. John D. Rockefeller, the company’s founder, organized the company around an almost religious dedication to principles of efficiency. Economic success masked the dark side of efficiency as Standard Oil dumped oil waste into public waterways, filled the urban atmosphere with acrid smoke, and created a consumer safety crisis by selling kerosene below congressional standards. Local governments, guided by a desire to favor the interests of business, deployed elaborate engineering solutions to tackle petroleum pollution at taxpayer expense rather than heed public calls to abate waste streams at their source. Only when refinery pollutants threatened the health of the Great Lakes in the twentieth century did the federal government respond to a nascent environmental movement. Organized around the four classical elements at the core of Standard Oil’s success (earth, air, fire, and water), Refining Nature provides an ecological context for the rise of one of the most important corporations in American history.










The History of the Standard Oil Company: The birth of an industry


Book Description

"The History of the Standard Oil Company is a 1904 book by journalist Ida Tarbell. It is an exposé about the Standard Oil Company, run at the time by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, the richest figure in American history. Originally serialized in nineteen parts in McClure's magazine, the book is a seminal example of muckraking, and inspired many other journalists to write about trusts, large businesses that (in the absence of strong antitrust laws in the 19th century) attempted to gain monopolies in various industries. The History of the Standard Oil Company is credited with hastening the breakup of Standard Oil, which came about in 1911, when the Supreme Court of the United States found the company to be violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. The subsequent decision splintered the company into 34 "baby Standards." The value of Rockefeller's shares rose after the breakup as the new companies had a positive development on the stock exchange"--Wikipedia, viewed January 27, 2023.




The History of the Standard Oil Company


Book Description

Ida M. Tarbell's 'The History of the Standard Oil Company' is a groundbreaking work that delves into the rise of the monopolistic energy corporation in the late 19th century. Written in a journalistic and investigative style, Tarbell meticulously documents the unethical business practices and ruthless tactics employed by Standard Oil to dominate the oil industry. This work serves as a landmark example of investigative journalism highlighting the need for corporate regulation and ethical business practices. Through detailed research and firsthand accounts, Tarbell paints a vivid picture of the impact of monopolies on economy and society, making this book a crucial read for those interested in understanding the power dynamics of corporate America in the Gilded Age. Ida M. Tarbell, a pioneer in investigative journalism, was inspired to write this exposé after witnessing the injustices perpetuated by Standard Oil firsthand. Her meticulous research and dedication to uncovering the truth behind the company's rise to power reflect her commitment to social justice and transparency in the business world. Tarbell's work laid the foundation for modern investigative journalism and has inspired countless writers and activists to hold corporations accountable for their actions. I highly recommend 'The History of the Standard Oil Company' to readers interested in delving into the dark side of corporate power and the importance of ethical business practices. Tarbell's groundbreaking work remains a seminal piece in American history, shedding light on the consequences of unbridled corporate greed and the necessity of government intervention to protect the common good.




Plunder


Book Description

DANNY SCHECHTER, "The News Dissector" has spent decades as a truth teller in the media, with leading media companies and as an independent filmmaker with the award-winning independent company Globalvision. A graduate of Cornell and the London School of Economics, Schechter was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard and a multiple Emmy Award winner at ABC News, where he was among the first to cover the S&L crisis. In 2007, his film IN DEBT WE TRUST was the first to expose Wall Street's connection to subprime loans, predicting the economic crisis that this book investigates. Schechter is a blogger, editor of Mediachannel.org, and author of nine books. He has reported from 53 countries, and lives in Gotham. He owns no derivatives or tranches.




Standard Oil Company (Indiana)


Book Description







Breaking Rockefeller


Book Description

Marcus Samuel Jr. is an unorthodox Jewish merchant trader. Henri Deterding is a take-no-prisoners oilman. In 1889, John D. Rockefeller is at the peak of his power. Having annihilated all competition and dominating the oil market, even the US government is wary of challenging Standard Oil. The Standard never loses - that is until Samuel and Deterding team up to form Royal Dutch Shell. A riveting account of ambition, oil and greed, Breaking Rockefeller traces Samuel and Deterding's rise to the top of the oil industry, and the collapse of Rockefeller's monopoly.