原文赏析

The titans of that day

当时的那些巨人

revolutionized business in America.

让美国商界发生了革命性变化

We became the sort of dominant economic force in the world

我们能成为世界上具有支配地位的经济力量

because we could make stuff, we could create stuff,

原因就在于我们能生产产品 创造产品

we could build stuff, we could power stuff.

建立产品 并提供力量

John Rockefeller's Standard Oil is now

约翰·洛克菲勒的标准石油公司

the largest producer of refined kerosene in the country.

成为了国内最大的精炼煤油生产商

And his exclusive deal with Vanderbilt allows him

他同范德比尔特的独家交易

to ship his product to homes throughout

让他能够以最低廉的价格

the country at incredibly cheap rates.

将产品运送到全国各地的每个家庭

But for Rockefeller,

但对于洛克菲勒

it isn't enough.

这还不够

He's outgrown his deal with Vanderbilt.

他的增长超过了范德比尔特所能驾驭的范围

Once unable to fill Vanderbilt's trains,

最开始 他找不到足够的油来装满范德比尔特的火车

now he has more oil than

但现在 他的油

the Commodore can possibly ship,

已经超过了船长的运力

and Vanderbilt's biggest competitor knows it.

范德比尔特最大的竞争对手也察觉到了这一点

Tom Scott is the president

汤姆·斯科特是

of one of the largest train lines in the country.

国内另外一家大铁路公司的主席

He wants to take Vanderbilt's place

他希望取代范德比尔特的地位

as King of the Railroads,

成为铁路之王

and he knows a deal with Rockefeller is the key.

他深知 同洛克菲勒的交易将左右全局

Scott heads to Cleveland with his protégé,

斯科特前往克利夫兰 带着自己的门徒

a young up-and-comer named Andrew Carnegie.

一个有进取心的年轻人 他叫安德鲁·卡内基

As Scott's most trusted lieutenant,

作为斯科特最信赖的手下

Carnegie has helped craft the pitch.

卡内基帮助制定了巧妙的策略

视频资料

视频资料

洛克菲勒、范德比尔特、卡内基、阿斯托、福特和摩根，他们的名字几乎是美国梦的近义词，也代表着美国梦的历史。他们转变了他们所接触的每个行业：石油、铁路、钢铁、船运、汽车，还有金融。他们的付出改变了一个国家。出身贫寒，他们却多次涉足总统选举，设立经济政策，影响他们那个年代——内战到大萧条时期。他们，被称为造就美国的人。

重点讲解

1.dominant economic force 支配地位的经济力量

例句：Since the USA has been the dominant economic and military force in the world for a while, the prevailing international systems of communications and exchanges have been set up in English.

美国占据世界经济和军事主导地位已经有一段时间了，因此以英文为基础的信息流通与交换系统得以胜出而成为国际通用系统。

The firm has achieved a dominant position in the world market.

这家公司在国际市场上占有举足轻重的地位。

The dominant feature of the room was the large fireplace.

这间屋子要数那个大壁炉最显眼了。

2.advertising/insurance/postal, etc. rates 广告费、保险费、邮费等

a low/high hourly rate of pay 按小时支付的低/高报酬

We offer special reduced rates for students.

我们对学生有特惠价格。

3.up-and-coming young actors 前程似锦的年轻演员

例句：Not, however, when you're one of Hollywood's most recognizable young actors and you show up to a press event with a very lovely up-and-coming young actress.

不是，但是，当你一好莱坞最知名的年轻演员和你出现了一个新闻发布会上一个非常可爱的注册和有前途的年轻女演员。

4.craft (尤指用手工)精心制作

例句：All the furniture is crafted from natural materials.

所有的家具均采用天然材料精心制作而成。

a carefully crafted speech

精心准备的讲话

pitch 推销的话；说教；宣传论点

an aggressive sales pitch 强有力的推销行话

the candidate's campaign pitch 候选人的竞选宣传

例句：Each company was given ten minutes to make its pitch.

每个公司有十分钟时间进行推销宣传。