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HomeBooks and VideoPeak OilThe Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, & Power |
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 A bit biased but still an essential text Mar 13, 2010
The book is written from the perspective of someone who loves capitalism and thinks that the oil economy is the best thing since sliced bread (ie someone about as far from me politically as it's possible to get), but that hasn't stopped me from reading and re-reading this book and recommending to dozens of people. All history is biased, I can deal with that. What makes this book great is that the author is very clear about his perspective so you don't have to guess where he's coming from or who's story he's advocating and because he tells his story with style and with an incredible attention to details, facts, and historical context. Interested in WWII? Read this book. Curious about Robber Baron Capitalism? Read this book. Looking for insights into British policy in the middle east or American foreign policy around the world? Read this book. It's an astonishing work in its breadth, its depth, and its attention to detail. Highly recommended.
Necessary and Trusted Reference Jun 21, 2009
I have read this book 5 times in the 10 years since purchasing. I reference it often. New trinkets of information are found every time I re-read this excellent story (historical reference) of the oil industry.
5 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Propaganda or lack of a moral stance Jun 17, 2009
Propaganda, no matter how couched in research is still propaganda. The author seems gung-ho on the archievements of "the industry" and its dominant actors and never expresses dismay at the wanton destruction it has and continues to perpetuate. Right from the premise, when he had reported on the greed which the inceptions of the industry created/fed upon, I found myself wishing he would take a moral stance and say something against what could only be disastrous for all in the long-term. But, alas, nothing there, and yet, robber barons like Rockefeller were touted to no end. Goes to show you that Yergin is his industry's man.
An essential history book for public education... May 07, 2009
Mr. Yergin's book is a superbly written account of the impact of oil upon our global economy and way of life.
I never knew oil would be so essential towards economic and strategic concerns. The one fact that burned into my brain is the energy content of oil versus coal for warships during World War I. Ships burning oil instead of coal had more powerful engines while saving space and man-power. I don't recollect the figure, but it was staggering to realize an oil-fueled ship, say a British cruiser, could have as much firepower (after deducting weight and space for the bigger ship) as a coal-fueled German battleship. Oil is the stuff of victory. Akin to Frank Herbert's literary object "Spice" in his Dune series, alliances and treaties mean nothing to nations when struggling for a secure source of oil.
To understand the importance of oil is to also understand how vulnerable oil-dependent countries are against suppliers, dwindling supply, and the politics involved in protecting the flow of oil products.
Realizing the implications of oil-dependency should be an important part of our future public education cirriculum.
History of Oil Jan 29, 2009
The Prize is a very facinating history of the oil age. It tells of the origin of all the major oil compaies that are here today. Some times it gets a little tedious with incidents in history but really gives a picture of the ruthlessness of the big time oil men.
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