"Random Reminiscences Of Men And Events" gives interesting insights into the life of the richest person in modern history. - Probably in the life of every one there comes a time when he is inclined to go over again the events, great and small, which have made up the incidents of his work and pleasure, and I am tempted to become a garrulous old man, and tell some stories of men and things which have happened in an active life. In some measure I have been associated with the most interesting people our country has produced, especially in business men who have helped largely to build up the commerce of the United States, and who have made known its products all over the world. These incidents which come to my mind to speak of seemed vitally important to me when they happened, and they still stand out distinctly in my memory.

CHAPTER I PARENTS AND CHILDHOOD CHAPTER II DUNFERMLINE AND AMERICA CHAPTER III PITTSBURGH AND WORK CHAPTER IV COLONEL ANDERSON AND BOOKS CHAPTER V THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE CHAPTER VI RAILROAD SERVICE CHAPTER VII SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER VIII CIVIL WAR PERIOD CHAPTER IX BRIDGE-BUILDING CHAPTER X THE IRON WORKS CHAPTER XI NEW YORK AS HEADQUARTERS CHAPTER XII BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS CHAPTER XIII THE AGE OF STEEL CHAPTER XIV PARTNERS, BOOKS, AND TRAVEL CHAPTER XV COACHING TRIP AND MARRIAGE CHAPTER XVI MILLS AND THE MEN CHAPTER XVII THE HOMESTEAD STRIKE CHAPTER XVIII PROBLEMS OF LABOR CHAPTER XIX THE "GOSPEL OF WEALTH" CHAPTER XX EDUCATIONAL AND PENSION FUNDS CHAPTER XXI THE PEACE PALACE AND PITTENCRIEFF CHAPTER XXII MATHEW ARNOLD AND OTHERS CHAPTER XXIII BRITISH POLITICAL LEADERS CHAPTER XXIV GLADSTONE AND MORLEY CHAPTER XXV HERBERT SPENCER AND HIS DISCIPLE CHAPTER XXVI BLAINE AND HARRISON CHAPTER XXVII WASHINGTON DIPLOMACY CHAPTER XXVIII HAY AND McKINLEY CHAPTER XXIX MEETING THE GERMAN EMPEROR

John D. Rockefeller, one of the most successful businessmen in history, wrote this book to go over some events, great and small, that made up his life. The incidents documented by Rockefeller in this book were those that seemed vitally important to him when they happened and still stood out distinctly in his memory when he wrote this book. Readers can get an authentic glimpse of both Rockefeller's business and private life through these reminiscences.

John D. Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company in 1870 which made him into the wealthiest person in modern history. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and, along with Andrew Carnegie, helped define modern philanthropy. Random Reminiscences of Men and Events, published in 1909, is an excellent book on some of the things that helped make Rockefeller into one of the most important pioneers in American history. Rockefeller also devotes a couple chapters of this book on his philosophy on philanthropy.