Dear Father, Dear Son: Correspondence of John D. Rockefeller and Jr. (Hardcover)

by J.W. Ernst (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A collection of previously unpublished letters between the Rockefeller generations, tracing the history of the transfer of the family's fortune over the course of 50 years. The correspondence sheds light on the family's values that led to the conception of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the restoration of colonial Williamsburg, and other philanthropic projects. "

Product Description
Many biographies of John D. Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. have been compiled- some have used bits of the original correspondence presented here and tried to show opposing interests between John D. Rockefeller and his son. Still others were written without correspondence at all. This collection of never-before-published letters traces the history of the transfer of the Rockefeller fortune over the course of fifty years. It illustrates how the endowment was bestowed from Senior to Junior with respect, sound advice, and with a mutual trust between father and son.

The letters also reveal far more than the business side of entrusting the Rockefeller fortune to the younger generation. The misives are filled with news of family matters and personal wishes constituting a record of the Rockefeller family values which, in turn, sponsored the philantrophies of Junior. Outlined in these letters is the conception for the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and the General Education Board. Later would follow the realization of the Fort Tryon Park, the Rockefeller Center, Riverside Church, and the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Junior's holdings peaked in 1928 at $995 million and his dedication to public parks, and institutions around the world absorbed a considerable portion of his wealth.

Ernst's introduction reflects on five themes which run continuously throughout the letters: the respect and love among the members of the family, a father's precautions to his maturing son, the son's willingness to accept his father's precepts and examples, the son's conscious assumption of the responsibilities of the bequeathed fortune, and overriding faith in a benevolent God. These themes continually come together to form the outline of a philosophy of life behind the Rockefeller legacy, as when Senior writes: "I am indeed blessed beyond measure in having a son whom I can trust to do this most particular and most important work. Go carefully. Be conservative. Be sure you are right- and then do not be afraid to give out, as your heart prompts you, and as the Lord inspires you."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823215598
• ISBN-13: 978-0823215591
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,057,076 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FATHER LOVES SON VERY MUCH, October 8, 2008

By	Yung Man Chuen "STEPHEN M. YUNG" (HONG KONG,CHINA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read the CHINESE TRANSLATION of the J.D.ROCKEFELLER's Letters to Jr. I am still waiting for the ORIGINAL ENGLISH VERSION of Rockefeller's
Letters to Jr. I am very touched by J.D., such a GREAT FATHER with so
much LOVE for HIS SON J.D.Jr.

The letters are full of teachings and sharing about experiences in LIFE,
from J.D.'s humble beginning as a $5/week book-keeper in CHICAGO area, I
believe or it was in CLEVELAND.(Pardon me, I am not AMERICAN).J.D.'s
aspirations and determination to succeed in business began with his
HARD WORK, THRIFT, DETERMINATIONS, HUMBLE, a lots of great virtues in the
past which today young people in HK/CHINA & USA have forgotten. You see
the trouble in financial tsunami which we are facing today are the results
of forgetting the virtues of THRIFT & HARDWORK. In J.D.'s letters to
Jr there were many repetition of such GREAT VIRTUES, GREAT IDEAS and
HARDWORK as well as J.D.'s business experiences in facing adversity.

I admire J.D.ROCKEFELLER Sr. not because he was a very RICH MAN, but he
was indeed a man very RICH in SPIRIT. Everything he did he had a humble
goal of fulfilling the WILL of GOD, FOR THE GREATER GLORY of GOD in order
to serve MANKIND. No wonder, he was so successful, his CHILDREN are also
GREAT in the HISTORY of AMERICA. Indeed, I am IMPRESSED!!! USA is a GREAT
COUNTRY to have GREAT PERSON such as Mr.J.D.ROCKEFELLER Sr.

THE READERS HAVE to get hold of such a good book personally in order to
appreciate and enjoy
every fine words wriiten in the LETTERS to SON by MR.J.D.ROCKEFELLER Sr.
I just can't wait to get hold of the ENGLISH edition of CORRESPONDENCE of
FATHER to SON, JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER Sr. to Jr. which was supposed to be shipped in
November,2008. Before then, I remain your friend from HONG KONG,CHINA.

RGDS,
STEPHEN M. YUNG,
HONG KONG,CHINA.