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David Rockefeller

Memoirs Paperback – October 28, 2003

by David Rockefeller (Author)

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Born into one of the wealthiest families in America—he was the youngest son of Standard Oil scion John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the celebrated patron of modern art Abby Aldrich Rockefeller—David Rockefeller has carried his birthright into a distinguished life of his own. His dealings with world leaders from Zhou Enlai and Mikhail Gorbachev to Anwar Sadat and Ariel Sharon, his service to every American president since Eisenhower, his remarkable world travels and personal dedication to his home city of New York—here, the ﬁrst time a Rockefeller has told his own story, is an account of a truly rich life.

Print length

560 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Random House Trade Paperbacks
Publication date

October 28, 2003
Dimensions

5.24 x 1.17 x 7.95 inches
ISBN-10

0812969731
ISBN-13

978-0812969733
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is a rare author who can write about himself with openness and candor, but David Rockefeller has succeeded brilliantly. His discussion of his upbringing and of the obligations imposed by great wealth is fascinating, as are his personal reflections on four generations of Rockefellers. What the book also reveals, unconsciously but with great clarity, is the decency, integrity, and humanity of David Rockefeller himself.”—Dr. Henry Kissinger

“Long before globalization became a household word, David Rockefeller realized the importance of cultivating strong, trusting relationships with countries and their leaders around the world. We are privileged to be the beneficiaries of his lifelong commitment to world peace, and to have his reflections on these experiences in this superb memoir.”—Nelson Mandela

“In these memoirs, David Rockefeller provides an account of his life that is candid, incisive, and moving. Whether writing about his remarkable family, his distinguished career, or his important role in world affairs, he offers a unique and invaluable perspective on our times.”
—Kofi Annan, secretary general of the United Nations

“David Rockefeller is one of the most diversely interesting men of our time. It has been my pleasure to know him and his work, and this book, the product of his unique life, is both attractive and thoroughly engaging. It will attract everyone for the knowledge and pleasure it accords.”—Professor John Kenneth Galbraith

“Here is David Rockefeller at the top of his emotional register....As this calm yet revealing memoir indicates, there never will be another person like David Rockefeller.” —The New York Times Book Review

“[Rockefeller’s] book...is an account of a decent, hardworking man who ran his company, Chase bank, with an eye to the public good....If Rockefeller, by virtue of his name, is one of the poster boys of capitalism, he offers a pretty attractive face.”—Newsweek

“David Rockefeller is an emblematic figure of a world that no longer really exists...and there’s something refreshingly nineteenth-century about this entertaining memoir as well. Rockefeller’s style is restrained and self-deprecating.”—The New Yorker

“A compelling story of money, philanthropy, culture, and politics.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“David Rockefeller has had a life that is both long...and remarkable....In his sweeping, lively Memoirs, Rockefeller allows us a glimpse into his gilded world.” —The Washington Post Book World

From the Inside Flap

Born into one of the wealthiest families in Americahe was the youngest son of Standard Oil scion John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the celebrated patron of modern art Abby Aldrich RockefellerDavid Rockefeller has carried his birthright into a distinguished life of his own. His dealings with world leaders from Zhou Enlai and Mikhail Gorbachev to Anwar Sadat and Ariel Sharon, his service to every American president since Eisenhower, his remarkable world travels and personal dedication to his home city of New Yorkhere, the ?rst time a Rockefeller has told his own story, is an account of a truly rich life.

From the Back Cover

Born into one of the wealthiest families in America--he was the youngest son of Standard Oil scion John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the celebrated patron of modern art Abby Aldrich Rockefeller--David Rockefeller has carried his birthright into a distinguished life of his own. His dealings with world leaders from Zhou Enlai and Mikhail Gorbachev to Anwar Sadat and Ariel Sharon, his service to every American president since Eisenhower, his remarkable world travels and personal dedication to his home city of New York--here, the ﬁ rst time a Rockefeller has told his own story, is an account of a truly rich life.

About the Author

David Rockefeller was chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Chase bank for many years. He has since retired and currently sits on many project and charity boards. He lives in New York City.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 1

Grandfather

There is a picture of all the men in the family waiting at the Tarrytown station for the train carrying Grandfather's casket from his winter home in Ormond Beach, Florida. He died quietly in his bed on May 23, 1937, at the age of ninety-seven. While the official cause of death was sclerotic myocarditis, it would be simpler to say he died of old age. I had known him as "Grandfather," not the "robber baron" or great philanthropist of the history books. He had been a constant presence in my childhood: benign, indulgent, revered by my father, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and by the family as a whole.

Looking at that picture today, I find it remarkable how well it captured our relationships with one another, where we were in life, and, perhaps, where we would all be going.

John, characteristically, stands on the periphery. Thirty-one years old, he is the oldest son, inheritor of the dynastic name. After he graduated from Princeton, Father put him on the boards of many family institutions, among them the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and Colonial Williamsburg, grooming him to be the family leader, but he is shy and uncertain of his abilities.

Nelson, also characteristically, has managed to situate himself at the exact center of the picture and stares authoritatively at the camera. At twenty-nine he will soon become president of Rockefeller Center.

Laurance, twenty-seven, the philosopher and businessman, gazes into the middle distance. He was emerging as a leading investor in the aviation industry and, with Eddie Rickenbacker, the World War I Flying Ace, would soon buy a large stake in Eastern Airlines.

Winthrop is the handsomest. Somehow Mother's Aldrich features-which one might describe as having a lot of "character"-combined with the Rockefeller genes to produce almost movie-star good looks. Win is the most troubled of us and never quite fitted in. Now twenty-five, he is working as a "roughneck" in the Texas oil fields.

I am the youngest, twenty-one years old, and look very wet behind the ears. I have just completed my first year of graduate work in economics at Harvard and will leave that summer to continue my studies at the London School of Economics.

Father, beginning to show his sixty-three years, presides over us all, completely forthright, a friendly, kind face. Perhaps a little distant.

We brought Grandfather back to the mansion that he and Father had built twenty-five years earlier on the family estate at Pocantico Hills. Called Kykuit, the Dutch word for "lookout," its hilltop site commands a magnificent view of the Hudson River. The next day, with only immediate family and a few close friends present, we held a service for him. I remember it was a beautiful spring day, the French doors open to the terrace, and the Hudson River a glistening blue below us. His favorite organist, Dr. Archer Gibson, played the large pipe organ in the main hall, on which we used to pretend to perform when we were children. Harry Emerson Fosdick, senior minister of Riverside Church, which was built by Father, gave the eulogy.

After the service, as everyone milled about, Mr. Yordi, Grandfather's valet, gestured to me. Yordi, a dapper Swiss fellow, had been Grandfather's valet and constant companion for thirty years. I knew him well, but he had always been reserved in my presence. I went over to him, and he pulled me aside, into a deserted hallway. "You know, Mr. David," he began (from as early as I can remember, the staff always addressed us in that way, "Mr. Rockefeller" being too confusing with so many of us with that name, and first names would have been too familiar), "of all you brothers, your grandfather always thought you were the most like him." I must have looked very surprised. It was the last thing I expected him to say. "Yes," he said, "you were very much his favorite." I thanked him somewhat awkwardly, but he just waved his hand and said, "No, no, I just thought you should know." I didn't really know what to make of it. I thought it would have been Nelson, but I couldn't pretend I wasn't pleased.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Trade Paperbacks; NO-VALUE edition (October 28, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 560 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0812969731
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812969733
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 1.17 x 7.95 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #216,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #594 in Business Professional's Biographies
- #1,056 in Political Leader Biographies
- #7,948 in Memoirs (Books)

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4.3 out of 5

141 global ratings

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Howard Schulman

an interesting memoire

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

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.

18 people found this helpful

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B. R. Lemley

A view of "the top"

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

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".

13 people found this helpful

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T. Fischer

An excellent read - his side of the Rockefeller story

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 21, 2014

Verified Purchase

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.

2 people found this helpful

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Harriet Boe

David Rockefeller’s memoirs

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

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.

9 people found this helpful

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Troikafloyd

Great Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

A great and very interesting read!

Golden Girl

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

List of his achievements !

Klugscheißer

Einzge wirklich interessante Stelle:

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on March 5, 2014

Verified Purchase

"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

14 people found this helpful

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Ein Kunde

Die Erinnerungen von David Rockefeller

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on February 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

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.

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