Books › The Prize
The Prize
First published 1991 · 928 pages
A sweeping, high-stakes epic that reveals the hidden, viscous lifeblood of modern geopolitics and human ambition.
What it feels like
Reading this monumental history feels like watching the gears of the modern world being forged in real-time. Despite its massive scope, the narrative moves with a steady, absorbing rhythm, anchoring sweeping geopolitical shifts in the vivid, often ruthless ambitions of wildcatters, tycoons, and politicians. The atmosphere is one of high-stakes drama and relentless momentum, steeped in the tension of boardrooms and battlefields alike. The prose is authoritative yet highly accessible, transforming complex economic and political forces into a gripping, character-driven epic. It is a deeply immersive experience that leaves you with a profound, almost sobering understanding of the invisible currents driving global power. Perfect for readers who crave sweeping, meticulously researched narratives that explain how the present came to be.
- Mood
- high-stakes
- ambitious
- tense
- grand
- Tone
- authoritative
- dramatic
- analytical
- sweeping
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- the pursuit of power · human ambition · geopolitical maneuvering · the engine of modernity · resource dependency
- The writing
- Clear, journalistic, and narrative-driven, balancing sweeping historical context with vivid, novelistic character portraits.
- The arc
- Moves from the awe of entrepreneurial discovery to a sobering realization of global dependency and the heavy cost of geopolitical conflict.
- Who it's for
- Readers who devour sweeping, meticulously researched histories that explain the hidden forces shaping the modern world.
Content notes
- war
- political violence
- environmental destruction
About the book
Chronicles the history of the oil industry and the forces that have shaped the modern world.
"A Touchstone Book."
Includes bibliographical references (p. [856]-881 ) and index.
Description from Open Library.
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