Part of Belt's Revivals Series, a classic of muckraking journalism with a new introduction by Elizabeth Catte, author of What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia and Pure America . Cleveland oil tycoon Jo

"The History of the Standard Oil Company is a 1904 book by journalist Ida Tarbell. It is an exposé about the Standard Oil Company, run at the time by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, the richest figure in American history. Originally serialized in nineteen parts in McClure's magazine, the book is a seminal example of muckraking, and inspired many other journalists to write about trusts, large businesses that (in the absence of strong antitrust laws in the 19th century) attempted to gain monopolies in various industries. The History of the Standard Oil Company is credited with hastening the breakup of Standard Oil, which came about in 1911, when the Supreme Court of the United States found the company to be violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. The subsequent decision splintered the company into 34 "baby Standards." The value of Rockefeller's shares rose after the breakup as the new companies had a positive development on the stock exchange"--Wikipedia, viewed January 27, 2023.

Ida Minerva Tarbell's 'The History of the Standard Oil Company (Illustrated)' is a meticulously researched and groundbreaking exposé of the monopolistic practices of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. Tarbell's investigative journalism style and attention to detail provide readers with a comprehensive account of the rise of the oil industry in the late 19th century, shedding light on the unethical business tactics employed by the company to dominate the market. The book offers a critical analysis of the implications of monopoly capitalism on American society and economy, making it a seminal work in the realm of investigative journalism and business history. The inclusion of illustrations further enhances the reader's understanding of the complex subject matter, making it accessible to a wide audience. With its engaging narrative and insightful commentary, 'The History of the Standard Oil Company (Illustrated)' serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in corporate governance.

IDA MINERVA TARBELL (1857-1944) is remembered today as a muckraking journalist, thanks to this 1904 blockbuster expos. Originally published as a series of articles in McClure's magazine, this groundbreaking work highlighted the dangers of business monopolies and contributed to the eventual breakup of Standard Oil. As modern-day muckraker Danny Schechter writes in his new introduction, exclusive to this Cosimo Classics edition: "In this era of financial crisis compounded, and even perhaps enabled, by a dearth of investigative reporting, it is valuable to go back in time to learn from the work of great journalists with the courage to have taken on avaricious corporations and irresponsible business practices. "Perhaps no book demands our attention and respect as much as the one now in your hands. The unabridged edition, long out of print, of Ida Tarbell's study/expose of the history of the Standard Oil Company is an American classic, a model of careful research, detailed analysis, clear expository writing, and social mission. It has been hailed as one of the top ten of journalism's greatest hits." In Volume II, Tarbell explores: [ battles over oil pipelines [ the marketing of oil [ the political response to Standard's domination [ breaking up the oil trust [ competition in the oil industry [ and more.