Taking on the Trust – How Ida Tarbell Brought Down John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil

Weinberg's book is very readable and accessible but leaves one wondering about why Tarbell had so much impact. In particular there is very limited information about how her work influenced the momentous 1911 Supreme Court decision to break up Standard Oil. Also how did she influence Teddy Roosevelt?

Steve Weinberg, one of America's most accomplished Journalism professors, has taken a "busman's holiday," in writing this fascinating and beautifully researched book. Weinberg, an inspiration to several generations of University of Missouri students, has written about one of his own heroes who no doubt helped influence his rather prestigious academic pathway. He has most satisfyingly delved into the epic battle of a single, brilliant young woman who successfully defined the power of the free press in 1904, pioneering investigative journalist Ida Tarbell who "muckraked" up the expensive and deep sediment underneath Standard Oil, standing alone against the awesome wealth and power of John D. Rockefeller.Prof. Weinberg is as complete and intimate with his subject as any historian. Infused into this book is his profound sense of appreciation of the fierce, burning integrity and inspirational relentlessness of Ida Tarbell. He makes an excellent case for her monumental, fearless work "The History of the Standard Oil Company," as being the greatest work of investigative journalism ever written. The rich and world-saving traditions of the press in the twentieth century in many ways find their roots in Tarbell and her publisher Samuel McClure, who proved that the battle armor of a democratic society is its free press; without it, the people live in the dark.This book will give the reader a completely refreshed pride in discovering that history can be riveting. In addition, it holds tremendous insight into the late-nineteenth century roots of the women's movement for equal rights, as well as the revolution for the rights of America's workers at the hands of monopolistic, big business. Ida Tarbell will become one of your new heroes.

Steve Weinberg's well constructed and researched book tells of two determined, dogged individuals coming into direct conflict with each other.On the one hand, John D Rockefeller, arch-capitalist 'extraordinaire', dynamic, hyper-successful but not, perhaps the most 'cuddly' of human beings and not used to being challenged, particularly by a female journalistic crusader. On the other hand, Ida Tarbell,journalist, the daughter of a man whose livelihood was threatened by Rockefeller's Standard Oil 'steam-roller' and convinced that the Rockefeller monopoly was a serious threat to the health of the national economy. Her infiltration of the Standard Oil administration, and Rockefeller's seemingly indifference in the face of increasing criticism, after the publication 'The History of the Standard Oil Company' and the landmark antitrust decision by the US Supreme Court in 1911, marked the beginning of the end for this and other monopolies.Rockefeller was tamed, never again to exert such unbridled, unregulated commercial power, and Ida Tarbell became a quality marker in the art of positive investigative journalism.A book deserving a read.

Tremendous.

This is a lovely book with a lively prose style that keeps the reader moving right along as the story progresses. It is a history lesson as well, and any reader who seeks in-depth, accurate pictures of America's past, will relish pitting the genius and determination of a young woman journalist against one of this nation's most notorious Robber Barons. One of the best of this crop of new books.