Skip to content
PodcastMentions
Back to search
Founders artwork
FoundersNovember 17, 2025

#405 How Rockefeller Worked

About This Episode
This episode covers the insanely valuable company-building principles of John D. Rockefeller—and nothing else. I spent over 40 hours reading (and rereading) this obscure biography of Rockefeller that costs $1,000 I then spent several days editing down 25 pages of notes from the book. I deleted everything that was not How Rockefeller Works Episode
Book Mentions
4 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to books
Tip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.

Books Mentioned

The Greatest Borrower I Ever Saw cover

There's an entire chapter in the book called The Greatest Borrower I Ever Saw. The reason this happens is very interesting. He starts learning how to borrow because he just started his own business.

ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Rockefeller's Secret Weapon cover

I have another obscure biography of Rockefeller. The title of that biography is Rockefeller's secret weapon. It's an entire book about this rebates on transportation and Rockefeller's obsession with it.

ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Conspiracy cover
Conspiracy
Ryan Holiday

There's actually a book called Conspiracy is written by Ryan Holiday. And there's this he's got this great description in that book about this story in Rockefeller's career.

ASIN: B0794CLD44
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Titan cover

Let me read this quote from the biography Titan. It is impossible to comprehend Rockefeller's breathtaking ascent without realizing that he always moved into battle backed by abundant cash.

ASIN: N/A
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.