Oil: A Beginner's Guide

by Vaclav Smil

Overview

Packed with fascinating facts and insight, this book will fuel dinner party debate, and provide readers 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 book, the author of the acclaimed Energy: A Beginner’s Guide, Vaclav Smil, explains all matters related to the ‘black stuff’, from its discovery in the earth, right through to the political maelstrom that surrounds it today. Author Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba, Canada. He has written over 10 books on energy and been a keynote speaker at both the World Economic Forum and the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. He is the first non-American to receive the American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology and is a Special Fellow of the Royal Society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781851685714
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	04/25/2008
Series:	Beginner's Guides (Oneworld) Series
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Author Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba, Canada. He has written over 10 books on energy and been a keynote speaker at both the World Economic Forum and the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. He is the first non-American to receive the American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology and is a Special Fellow of the Royal Society.

Editorial Reviews

'“There is no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil"

Bill Gates

'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 - Senior Vice President (Quality

'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 - Founder of Centre for International Energy Studies

'Everything most people — including most economists and investment advisors — should know about the physics and economics of oil.'

National Post

'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

'Smil's...ability to condense so much detail on a broad range of topics from science to economics in such a short work is as impressive as his command of the subject matter.'

Jason P. Theriot - Energy and Environmental consultant

'A well-balanced, concise, and readable synthesis of oil-related facts and history.'

Technology and Culture