Product Description

Based on thirty years in the global oil game, intimate knowledge of African history and direct experience of over forty countries, this comprehensive book shows that Africa’s flaws are not the whole story, when it comes to the continent’s history. A definitive yet original perspective on the rush for Africa’s oil, this is also a guide to the hidden face of Africa. Duncan Clarke begins by placing African oil issues in their historical context before tackling the issues of power, nationalism and different parties’ strategies for control that have led to today’s oil scene. This book is the ultimate reference work on oil in Africa – which is vital to everyone’s future around the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #185296 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 720 pages

Review
"'A "must read" antidote to the gloom and doom conclusions of oil scarcity. Effectively undermines the validity of the theory of Peak Oil and comprehensively demolishes the arguments of its proponents.' Peter R. Odell, Professor Emeritus of International Energy Praise for Empires of Oil: 'If you read just one book on oil this year let it be by Duncan Clarke' Financial Times"

Professor Tony Hawkins, correspondent for the Financial Times
`Now that oil is Africa's leading export, Duncan Clarke's incisive, comprehensive study of African crude could not be timelier. With his background in energy and development economics, he is pre-eminent in the field. No other writer matches his unique knowledge of the global energy industry and Africa's historical, political and economic oil context. Clarke's insights into contemporary policy, poverty, corporate strategies and African geopolitics make this book required reading for energy industry executives, investment analysts and African policy-makers, diplomats, donor agencies, banks and international lenders. He provides a robust riposte to those pundits in think tanks and international financial institutions for whom oil is a `resource curse', solely responsible for regional wars and civil unrest. Instead, he believes, given appropriate institutions, oil and gas "could and should be central to Africa's reconstruction." Very good stuff.'

Barry Morgan, Upstream
"A highly accomplished work and must-read on Africa and its political economy of oil, written with passion, dedication and understanding...Clarke peppers an original narrative with wry humour, combative prose and well-chosen vignettes drawn from travels to 44 African countries...an outstanding work of reference to delight even old Africa hands."