The Tyranny of Oil: The World's Most Powerful Industry--and What We Must Do to Stop It - Hardcover

Antonia Juhasz

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061434507 ISBN 13: 9780061434501

Publisher: William Morrow, 2008

Synopsis

A leading activist presents a report on the U.S. oil industry to argue that oil companies hold an unparalleled influence over the government, are not appropriately regulated, and are misrepresenting the truth about the causes of high gasoline prices. By the author of The Bush Agenda. 35,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

“A brave, groundbreaking case study....A good first step toward true energy independence is to read this insightful book.” (Christian Science Monitor)

“[Juhasz] reminds us that those who don’t learn the lessons of history are fated to repeat its mistakes.” (USA Today)

“Well-written....presciently criticizes the weak oversight of the oil futures market.” (Washington Post)

“[A] timely, blistering critique...this white-hot polemic explores many of the industry’s complex and secret practices....Explosive fuel for the raging debate on oil prices.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Part homage to 150 years of anti-monopoly muckraking and trust-busting and part signpost to where the leading edge of the environmental and social activist movements are headed.” (Toronto Star)

“[A] thorough, readable takedown of Big Oil.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A worthy successor to The Prize... A riveting read with a bold blueprint for ending the madness.” (Terry Tamminen, former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.)

“A no-holds-barred book that traces the story of Big Oil from the rise of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company to the scandals and obscene profits of today.” (Michael T. Klare, author of Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet: The New Geopolitics of Energy.)

“Juhasz identifies and articulates an extraordinary problem, provides the critical details, offers real solutions, and gives concrete steps to achieve them. In a world that glorifies war and violence, Juhasz offers thoughtfulness and activism.” (Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, International Campaign to B)

“In a time of crisis, Juhasz bravely and expertly exposes the inner workings of an industry and a government riddled with secrets, lies, and deception. She offers the crucial hard evidence—without which public awareness and reform are impossible. Read this book and refuse to be tyranny’s accomplice.” (Daniel Ellsberg, author of Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers)

From the Back Cover:

Why are oil and gas prices so high?

Who's really controlling those prices?

How much oil is left?

How far will Big Oil go to get it?

And at what cost to the environment, human rights, the economy, worker safety, public health, and democracy?

The answers aren't what you think. They're much worse. But there's also plenty that we can do about it.

As oil prices—and public outrage—skyrocket, Antonia Juhasz, a leading industry critic and expert on corporations and globalization, gives us the hardest-hitting exposé of the oil industry in decades. In The Tyranny of Oil she investigates the true state of the U.S. oil industry—uncovering its virtually unparalleled global power, influence over our elected officials, and lack of regulatory oversight, as well as the truth behind $150-a-barrel oil, $4.50-a-gallon gasoline, and the highest profit in corporate history. Exposing an industry that thrives on secrecy, Juhasz shows how Big Oil manages to hide its business dealings from policy makers, legislators, and, most of all, consumers. She reveals exactly how Big Oil gets what it wants—through money, influence, and lies.

The Tyranny of Oil offers both a new take on problems and a new set of solutions as Juhasz puts forward an immediate call to action—a formula for reining in the industry, its governmental lobbying power, environmental destruction, and violence while reducing global dependence on oil. Her thought-provoking answers to the most pressing energy questions speak directly to readers concerned about oil and gas prices, global warming, wars for oil, and America's place in the world. With the major players in the world's most powerful industry charged with collusion, price-gouging, anticompetitive behavior, and unabashed greed, Juhasz calls boldly for the breakup of Big Oil.

Drawing on considerable historical research, Juhasz explores the parallels between today's companies and Standard Oil, the most powerful corporation of the early twentieth century, whose stranglehold on the economy and government was broken only by the vision and persistence of activists and like-minded politicians. We are in a similar position today, she argues, with powerful opportunities available for ordinary Americans to come together, reclaim their voices, and shore up our nation's crumbling democratic foundation.

A tool for meaningful change that blends history, original investigative research and reporting, candid interviews with key insiders, and a unique focus on activism, The Tyranny of Oil is required reading for every concerned global citizen.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0061434507
• ISBN 13: 9780061434501
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 464