"The Story of the Standard Oil Company" by Ida Tarbell is a classic piece of journalism that reveals the path of development and influence of one of the most influential corporations of its era. The author examines the history of the origin, growth and dominance of the Standard Oil Company, revealing the strategies it used to exploit monopolistic attitudes and abuse of its influence in the market. The book demonstrates the role of journalism in uncovering corporate crimes and defends the public's right to information about the activities of large corporations. "The Story of Standard Oil" remains relevant reading for both historians and those interested in issues of corporate power and the artistic re-creation of business history.