Oil

In the 20th century, the availability and low cost of oil triggered the industrial growth and development of the world’s leading economies. Today, cheap, accessible oil supplies are dwindling, and the true cost to the world’s environment of our profligate use of "black gold" is becoming clearer. America is embroiled in warfare and diplomacy to retain its hold on the Persian Gulf, the world’s richest petroleum-producing region. In this new entry in the popular Groundwood Guides series, James Laxer tells the story of the rise of the giant petroleum companies and how they seized control of oil fields and markets worldwide. Laxer explains the relationship between oil, geopolitics, and money, and he examines how different parts of the world — both users and suppliers — relate differently to this commodity. Finally, he describes the stark choices humanity faces as oil supplies decrease and climate change, intensified by the burning of petroleum and coal, threatens earth's future.

Children's Literature

This book is part of the "Groundwork Guides" series. It is concerned with the modern petroleum industry, its value and trade in order to explain the economic, political, and environmental aspects of oil as it effects energy consumption worldwide. Since the United States uses 20 million barrels of oil daily, it is a large consumer of over a quarter of what the world uses. Yet as an oil producer we fall short, producing less than half of the oil we consume. Many questions are posed by the author after a detailed historical background of oil is given, leading up to today's search for new and larger sources of oil to combat the global petroleum crisis. The book contains generally sophisticated information with powerful arguments presented, along with speculations, as to how valid these arguments about energy consumption may be. Opposing groups debate what we should do to combat peak oil challenges confronting us. As the author states, the challenges " are unprecedented in all of human history...Never before has the whole world faced a crisis that is the consequence of human activities." Readers of this material will immediately begin to understand the serious nature of the petroleum problem. Every facet of life is exposed to daily changes as a result of shortages caused by the way we handle the petroleum industry. It is emphasized that the market system is to be held accountable to see that everyone recognizes and acts on the shrinking energy supplies and climate changes we face. Laxer underscores the idea that even as warnings must be heeded about misusing energy sources, others remain unconvinced and show a disregard for the advantages and power they hold for their own use of petroleumsources. An "Oil Timeline," "Notes," brief sources as "Further Information," along with an "Index" end the material. This book is an excellent introduction to a powerful resource which, if not used effectively, threatens our future. Laxer has written nineteen books and is a professor of political science in Canada. Reviewer: Enid Portnoy