Book review: Leftist history of the UK oil industry offers wider appeal
It is easy to identify the sympathies of the authors. But that does not diminish the vivacity of the tale they have to tell
Any book dedicated to the late Marxist geographer Doreen Massey, the doyenne of her profession of the last half century—as Crude Britannia: How Oil Shaped a Nation by James Marriott and long-time energy correspondent for leftist UK newspaper The Guardian Terry Macalister is—will especially pique the interest of a left-of-centre audience. Indeed, one is unlikely to find this tome reviewed in the pages of [right leaning UK magazine] The Spectator, nor in the in-house magazines of ‘Big Oil’! It is, however, so much more than a politicised polemic. Rather it is a hugely entertaining, detail-rich expose of how the tentacles of the oil industry—and especially those of BP and Shell—worked their way
Also in this section
19 April 2024
Cairo’s currency problems have hindered investment, but Pharos sees considerable potential as Egypt emerges from crisis
18 April 2024
The Norwegian energy company is concentrating its efforts on specific regions and assets that meet strict cost and carbon criteria
17 April 2024
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provide opportunities after Europe turns it back, while also offering another gateway to China
16 April 2024
Commentators need to shake off the myths of the past, with rising oil prices a boon for US economy