Oil, Power, and War by Matthieu Auzanneau
Chelsea Green Publishing
ISBN: 9781603587433
I was enthralled by the author’s ability to explain the
history of oil through captivating fiction-like prose. His research must have
been endless and his interspersing of historical observations with his superb
literary abilities made this a page turner in the making. The explanation of prehistoric
eras with of high carbon dioxide levels, temperatures well above today’s normal
averages, water levels 200m above the then normal levels, and the extinction of
dinosaurs due to an asteroid hit as were “acceptable” to illustrate the history
of oil. I even overlooked the innuendo that this same leap backward to high
carbon dioxide and temperatures could possible occur again (the Gore theory
that never occurred) within a century “confirming” the Greenhouse Affects. But
when I came to page 36 and the passage “Perhaps the black gold industry, long
dominated by the Americans, was reluctant to attribute its paternity to the
Russians, a Canadian, or a ‘medicine man’ associated with a US president who
was unable to prevent the coming Civil War (and who is still considered, along
with George W. Bush and Donald Trump, to be the most incompetent figure ever to
occupy the White House),” I called it quits. Up to this point I questioned a
lot of what was being written, not that I knew differently, but that the
observations being communicated seemed only to fit a well composed story, they
were not necessarily facts and mere opinions like the referenced passage. At
that point I immediately dismissed what the French author most diligently wrote
and facts became mere observations. My impression went from nonfiction to
historical fiction due to liberal interpretations of information and
unacceptable opinions that added nothing to the story, but, conversely damaged
a fine written piece of literature.
Ratings:
How well written = 5-Stars (captivating -- ignoring the
negatives stated above)
Research = 5 Stars
Facts Presented
= 4 Stars (some observations questionable and, thus, merely observations)
Opinions = 0 Stars (unnecessary to promote unproven theories
and politics)
Written to ensure 100% nonfiction-believability = 3 Star
Overall = 3 Stars (turned off and can’t accept it as true
nonfiction – unwilling to finish)
Reviewer: Rich
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