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Oil

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Oil

By: Vaclav Smil
Narrated by: Robert Meldrum
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About this listen

Packed with fascinating facts and insight, this book will fuel dinner party debate, and provide listeners with the science and politics behind the world’s most controversial resource.

Without oil, there would be no globalisation, no plastic, little transport, and a global political landscape that few would recognise. It is the lifeblood of the modern world, and humanity’s dependence upon it looks set to continue for decades to come.

In this captivating audiobook, Vaclav Smil explains all matters related to ‘black gold’, from its discovery in the earth, right through to the political maelstrom that surrounds it today.

©2008 Vaclav Smil (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing Environment Political Science World
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Editor reviews

Essential for anyone living in the modern world, Oil, plumbs the depths of our globalized societies' greatest commodity. In the beginning of the audiobook, Vaclav Smil warns that this book does go into mathematical and scientific detail, and is therefore best suited for those with at least some familiarity with those subjects. The audiobook is a well-researched, unbiased look at how oil affects virtually everyone on this planet. Smil goes into minute detail describing the processes of finding, extracting, refining, and selling oil.

Later, Smil ponders our future in regards to oil. Can we wean our dependence on oil as supplies diminish? What would that future look like? These and many other questions are addressed in this timely audio, narrated by staid and eloquent Robert Meldrum.

Critic reviews

"In a fluent, easy style [Smil] delves into the world of oil from its discovery on the ground through to its effect on prices at the petrol pumps, and to its impact on future generations." (The Good Book Guide)
"Everything most people — including most economists and investment advisors — should know about the physics and economics of oil." (National Post)
“Terrific. Smil has done it again, producing a book from which we can all create new insights, this time explaining oil production, consumption and the broader impacts it has upon society.” (Chris Mottershead - Distinguished Advisor Energy and the Environment, BP plc, and Director of the Carbon Trust in London)
“At last, an accurate and readable book which effectively presents the whole range of issues which are required for an understanding of the complex global oil system.” (Peter Odell - Professor Emeritus of International Energy Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, and recipient of the 2006 OPEC Award.)

What listeners say about Oil

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Detailed and in-depth

Heard about this book from Bill Gates’s list of favourite authors. Very good book. Very in-depth and Informative.

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Another masterpiece from Vaclav Smil

Nicely written overview of the Oil Industry with plenty of facts and figures, providing global market insights and a balanced view on one of men’s most important energy sources in history.

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