Quotes from Ron Chernow

Many times, it would be impossible to appease both the United States and Britain.

Before too long, he realized that refining was the critical point where he could exert maximum leverage over the industry.

He even told me that anxiety and worry about the matter [i.e., university finances] had made him sick

An unfortunate medical dispute erupted between the "Republican" method of Rush and the "Federalist" alternative of Stevens. Rush was not averse to casting the controversy in political terms.

It often saves me much annoyance.

Thanks to this staggering appreciation, Rockefeller's net worth reached a lifetime peak of $900 million in 1913—more than $13 billion in 1996 dollars.

John D. Rockefeller had an unfailing knack for knowing who would help or hinder him in his career, an instinct only sharpened by time.

a general marches at the head of his troops," so should wise politicians "march at the head of affairs, insomuch that they ought not to wait the event to know what measures to take, but the measures which they have taken ought to produce the event.

We must not press him for money.

I do not wish to have it known now or at any time.

Perhaps most problematic was the controversial bargain that Alexander Hamilton had struck with the Constitution, dedicating his life to what he deemed a flawed document.

an Anglican college in New York, which, he warned, would become "a contracted receptacle of bigotry

He made them all wealthy beyond their dreams.

He thought Jack might fare better in the new environment.

As always, he presented a cordial façade that disarmed people

Both Rockefeller and Archbold favored scrapping their former system of operating through European brokers and instead launching their own marketing subsidiaries.

Bribing Frank's secretary with candy and theater tickets, Slaght gained access to Frank, who was no less protective of his father than John was.

This early experience made Grant tend to view war as a hard-luck saga of talented, professional soldiers betrayed by political opportunists plotting back in Washington.

The soaring fortunes of the Standard companies made it seem as if the cagey Rockefeller had outwitted the country again.

On December 15, 1774, the New-York Gazetteer ran an advertisement for a newly published pamphlet entitled "A Full Vindication of the Measures of the Congress" that promised to answer "The Westchester Farmer.

he mostly hoarded his money in preparation for the next panic.

a Morgan partner received a guarantee of riches and a seat on the high council of American finance.

he thought unity among foreign bankers would prevent any single country from exploiting China.

Such a time never came.