Memoirs

As a disclosure, my reason for reading David Rockefeller's Memoires may be different from yours. I had just read Ron Chernow's Titan on JDR, Sr and wanted to know more about the third generation of Rockefellers, the "Rockefeller brothers"--David, Laurance, Winthrop, Nelson, and John III. I was less interested in DR's insights on Manhattan and world affairs and politics based on his 20-25-year tenure as CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank, though the several scattered sections on Rockefeller Center I thought were fascinating because of its close association with the family.What is amazing is that DR, who is still alive at 97 years old, has direct memories, as of 2001, of his grandfather, who was born in 1839 and had such an imprint on American history. Clearly, his father JDR, Jr, who lived to please his father, imparted much of his father's teachings to his children, and this comes out in the book. I especially appreciated this having read Titan.DR states it took 10 years to write his memoirs. He was 88 years old when they came out. The text reads very well and clearly DR and his editors spent considerable time perfecting everything (he had plenty of help).One annoying aspect of the text is that the DR has a habit of downplaying problematic parts of his life and exaggerating the good parts. For instance, practically half way though he tells us that all of his kids have always hated him and thought he's an insensitive "capitalist pig" kind of person. His wife had lifelong problems with depression, which he only mentioned in passing. Additionally, towards the end of his extended tenure as CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank we learn that he almost got thrown out for performing poorly. How many times he says "in the end" everything turns out right or he did the right thing, I can't count. I guess if you're a JDR, Sr grandchild, it doesn't matter!On the other hand, he was one of the 6 children/5 sons of JDR, Jr, who inherited almost the entire Rockefeller fortune. DR's life clearly was blessed with access to the cream of our society whereever he went. He had an active mind and despite what his kids may have initially thought about him, he had dedicated much of his life to public service. It was definitely a worthwhile read.My next book will probably be Bernice Kert's very well received bio on Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, DR's mother and the driving force behind the MoMA, despite her husband's (JDR, Jr's) distaste for modern art.

Jay Rockefeller has been "my" faithful Senator for many years and before that our state's Governor. We shall miss his faithful, steady leadership. Nelson Rockefeller was Governor of New York when I lived in Rochester. I could not resist this book which stared at me from the display shelf in the readers corner at the public library. What was it that made this dynastic family so drawn to public life? Being a farm girl born in the month that FDR was elected our president at the height of the depression, I seek to understand the life orientation of the very rich who have had great impact on our public and everyday lives. Are they as self-serving as our "wealth-starved" lives and the popular press educates us to believe? Are they as faithful in service to the "masses" as the one I have come to appreciate as a true statesman?. In these memoirs, David Rockefeller reveals to us a picture of their father, not as the popular image of a railroad robber baron, but as one who instilled in his sons a sense of responsibility for their wealth in service to this democratic society in their chosen careers. David Rockefeller, a banking giant, reveals the struggles of a family burdened with wealth as well as their enjoyment of it and their sense of responsibility in its use to sustain the people's faith in a free society. This book reveals how this family has enhanced our lives and the lives of others around the world as well as their own. As one who lives on Social Security and a small pension, I cannot, without thought, assume wealth is wicked. I must first look at who and what they are who possess it. In this family, I have seen the blessings shared with us as well as their dilemmas of living at "the top".

An excellent read, detailed look into a very unusual man and his very unusual family. What I was particularly struck by was the over-riding theme of humility through the book. Must be genuine, he couldn't make all that up. For example, after his wife's passing ... "Her love enabled me to become more self-confident in facing the many responsibilities I had inherited or assumed, but she also saved me from the error of self-satisfaction when I was blessed with success."As far as all the conspiracy theory (Bilderberg Group) David pretty much dissuaded me, there is no "there there". Author even talks about some Doonsbury comic strip where the guy who sets the daily prices on zinc slips up and identifies himself to his local bartender. Gotta laugh.Perhaps a little to dry and arcane when discussing charitable activities, Rockefeller Center management, museums, etc. Only gave it four stars because of that. But easy to skim through that on the Kindle.If I could spend a day or just an hour with David Rockefeller, would be immensely interesting, even at his advanced age.

Not only is David’s memoir a history of the Rockefeller family, their religious, moral, personal and business philosophy but a history of JP Morgan Chase bank from its first inception to its present day as a giant leader of the banking and financial industry. David was a visionary influencing Chases development and growth. Davids descriptions of his meeting with Khrushchev and subsequent dealings with Russia gave me what I think a good perspective of Russian government from czarist to Lenin communism, to its current kleptocratic authoritative government. Chase was the first financial institution to gain entrance into Russia. I also gained insight into American business & its impact on American capitalism. Fascinating and very, very informative.

A great and very interesting read!

List of his achievements !

David Rockefeller erzählt in diesem Buch seine Lebenserfahrungen. Der besprochene Zeitraum beginnt im Wesentlichen mit dem Dritten Reich und endet am Beginn des einundzwanzigsten Jahrhunderts. Geprägt durch den Zweiten Weltkrieg wird er zum Internationalisten, der den freien Austausch von Ideen und Waren als das Mittel ansieht, um Konflikte zu vermeiden und die westlichen Werte zu vermitteln.Daneben beschreibt er seine Unternehmungen zur Förderung von Lehre, Forschung und vielen anderen Projekten, die in Zusammenarbeit privater und staatlicher Institutionen durchgeführt wurden.

"Manche glauben gar, wir seien Teil einer geheimen Kabale, die entgegen die besten Interessen der USA arbeitet, charakterisieren mich und meine Familie als "Internationalisten" und Verschwörer, die gemeinsam mit anderen weltweit eine integrierte globale politische und wirtschaftliche Struktur schaffen - die einheitliche Welt, wenn sie so wollen. Wenn das die Anklage ist, dann bin ich schuldig, und ich bin stolz darauf."Aus den Memoiren von David Rockefeller erschienen 2002 auf Seite 405

Très bien écris. L'histoire sous un angle très intéressant et une immersion dans la famille la plus influente des États Unis.