71 pages 2 hours read

Daniel Yergin

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1991

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power by Daniel Yergin provides an in-depth history of the global oil industry, beginning with its 1859 origins in Pennsylvania, tracing the rise of Standard Oil and its eventual breakup, and examining oil's strategic role in both World Wars. It covers the post-war expansion, OPEC's formation, the oil crises of the 1970s, technological advancements, and the interplay of oil, politics, and power up to contemporary challenges, emphasizing oil's enduring global significance. The book addresses potentially sensitive topics like geopolitical conflicts and economic crises.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Daniel Yergin's The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power provides a comprehensive history of the oil industry, praised for its breadth and depth. Reviewers commend Yergin's engaging narrative and meticulous research. However, some criticize its dense detail and occasional dry passages. Still, it is widely regarded as a seminal work in energy history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power?

Readers who enjoy The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power by Daniel Yergin are often fascinated by global economics, history, and geopolitical strategies related to natural resources. This book appeals to fans of Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond and Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Society: Colonialism

Society: Economics

Society: Globalization

Topics

Military / War

Science / Nature

Business / Economics