The Prize
Daniel Yergin
20 people recommended it in 14 threads, 2009–2026.
What people on Hacker News said
The book is an exporation of how energy shaped history.
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power, Daniel Yergin. The oil rush from America to the World. Scheming features prominently to say the least.
Likely to change how you look at the history of technology, government, power, the saudis, and geopolitics.
It brings out the politics, economics and personalities that have lit up the history of oil very well.
This book has made me realize that the history of the world over the last century and that of oil are almost one and the same.
It’s a deep dive into the emergence and evolution of the oil industry. Technological innovations, financial developments, political shifts and so on.
Where it comes up
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- Ask HN: Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2019? 2019 · 1 recommendation
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- YC's Winter Reading List 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What good books have you read lately? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- YC's 2015 Reading List 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books. 2009 · 1 recommendation
