This lavish full-colour reference guide explores the fascinating history of the substance that changed the modern world: oil.
In this compelling account, Ian Fitzgerald tells the complete story of oil, from its formation over millions of years to its first discovery and use by humankind to its role as a crucial energy source and the conflicts that have since revolved around it.
Along the way, he covers such themes as technological innovation, cartels and collusions, oil's ever-depleting stocks and the rise of environmentalism, and its staggering influence on politics and business. Taking us from the days of oil barons like John D. Rockefeller and the first refineries of Standard Oil through to the formation of OPEC in the mid-20th century and the rise of fracking in the 21st, Oil explores everything from the creation of plastics to contemporary geopolitics.
| ISBN: | 9781398828773 |
| Publication date: | 28th February 2026 |
| Author: | Ian Fitzgerald |
| Publisher: | Arcturus an imprint of Arcturus Publishing |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 256 pages |
| Genres: |
History: specific events and topics Material culture |
This lavish full-colour reference guide explores the fascinating history of the substance that changed the modern world: oil.
In this compelling account, Ian Fitzgerald tells the complete story of oil, from its formation over millions of years to its first discovery and use by humankind to its role as a crucial energy source and the conflicts that have since revolved around it.
Along the way, he covers such themes as technological innovation, cartels and collusions, oil's ever-depleting stocks and the rise of environmentalism, and its staggering influence on politics and business. Taking us from the days of oil barons like John D. Rockefeller and the first refineries of Standard Oil through to the formation of OPEC in the mid-20th century and the rise of fracking in the 21st, Oil explores everything from the creation of plastics to contemporary geopolitics.
Oil features in the following genres: History: specific events and topics, Material culture
Oil is available in Hardback
Oil was written by Ian Fitzgerald and published by Arcturus an imprint of Arcturus Publishing
Oil has 256 pages
£17.99