Engdahl could learn how to write. Still, this is a history of oil and history of world political economy. It is conspiracy theory stuff at its best.

Here was the best insight (for me): If the United States did not allow the 1973 oil shock -- usually most people end up blaming or venerating OPEC countries for their actions -- then the shock would never have happened.

There is much, much more here. But there is an overlap between the themes of this book and the film Syriana.

A worthwhile read for those interested in the nexus of oil/middle east/global political economy.

This book really puts into perspective international politics, especially as the United States plays it. It is an eye-opener!

A very good and informative history book, but I would recommend reading the Myths book instead, as it’s more up to date. I will definitely read more of Engdahl’s books.

I know, it sounds boring and political and it is both - and worse, at times Engdahl sees virtually everything - like the 1973 Middle East War and the implosion of Yugoslavia through the lenses of Anglo-American financial sector conspiracies. This is most unfortunate as it cheapens what would otherwise be an extraordinary book of genuine value. Global politics might not ALWAYS be financial sector conspiracies, but they often are and for the most part Engdahl has his finger on that pulse. He has a fine sense of how starting as early as the late 1950s, the US gave up `production' as a way of mastering the global economy, turning instead to a combination of controlling oil, world finance and militarization. They do all go together more often than not. The best chapter - it is outstanding is about the deal cooked up by that evil genius and war criminal Henry Kissinger with the Saudis to raise the price of oil 400% and have most it recycled to the west in the form of financial investments. So despite its warts, I recommend this book highly. Will talk about it - critique and praise it tomorrow eve on a public radio program - oil and world power.
Cheers,

Nije za osmicu, ali 7/10. Odlična knjiga, svaka čast autoru za trud koji je uložio u istraživanje i češljanje kako bi mogao malo razmrsiti ovo klupko.

Oduševljen sam uvodnim dijelom koji objašnjava kontekst i pozadinu Velikog rata, kao i uvijek iznova tupljenja po GB-D rivalstvu i pruzi Berlin-Bagdad. Uvijek me kao srednjoškolca zbunjivala činjenica da je postojalo Solunsko bojište na kojem su ratovali Britanci ... Zašto ? Čitajući '?Stoljeće rata'' neki su klikeri proradili.

Mislim da su svi koji nisu Amerikanci koji imaju afinitet prema nacionalnoj povijesti u stanovitom hendikepu, jer kada autor krene sipati ''genealogiju'' američkih predsjednika, njihovih suradnika itd. itd. lako se pogubiti. Osim toga, to je jedna ogromna zemlja i strahovit politički sistem.

Volim ovakva štiva. Morat ću mu se vratiti. Kao i Bogovima novca, kao i Mitovima, lažima i ratovima za naftu, Sjemenu uništenja, a naravno, i uzeti u ruke nastavak ovog naslova.

Just great. Need as many people read such books as possible.

Great book, not what you read in traditional history books. A lot of info from what happens behind the scene.

This is a highly interesting read about Oil, Banking and Geopolitics. It compliments work by Edwin Black on the relationship between Big Oil, Eugenics and the unfolding of Modern History. Some of the book verges on conspiracy theory, so it is a book to be read in relation to other sources to cross check on the ideas. But the overall thesis is interesting, and there is a lot of evidence given for most of the contentions. It fits with accounts in books like the Last Oil Shock, and with Edwin Blacks work on the relationship between corporate America and Nazi Germany.

The most important insights are in relation to the financialisation of the UK and then the US Economy, and the geopolitical shift to stop promoting manufacturing growth in favour of seeking value through speculative investment globally. This is a Thesis explored in Fredrik Jameson and David Harvey's work as well in various forms, and fits also with discussions of the shifting composition of capital and the notion of surplus populations discussed by thinkers like Kalyan Sanyal.

So this text opens up a topic that deserves more thorough academic treatment.

Good part: the book starts with a good review of the oil politics for more than a century and the interrelation with economics and quest for global hegemony.

A lot of the conspiracies that don’t come out into media are mentioned and some potential causal relations stated. E.g.: the dearth of fossil fuel in US and UK leading to Iraq war, world wars, Balkan wars. The theories sound true.

Bad part: The author’s English, grammar, sentences are sometimes shockingly bad.
Engdahl’s views appear to be predominantly left/socialist leaning. That already colours the story. When the narrative strays into economics and trade, it does not provide a balanced view. The author could easily be mistaken for a Russian or left wing apologist.

One of the problems with this book is that the author depends on people’s views to substantiate the story. For example, towards the end Engdahl cites the statement of a minister who resigned from Tony Blair’s cabinet as concrete evidence.

Having been related to the oil industry for more than a decade, I must admit that the claim Engdahl makes of limitless oil and gas is preposterous. He neither understands the technicalities nor has the ability to cover up his lack of knowledge.

Superb master-piece!
Plenty of objective examples on how Anglo-Saxons terrorize the whole world all the time in order to keep being the master while producing nothing.
This is one of the most important books on modern history when it comes to prove why the Anglo-Saxon sphere is the cancer of humanity.

(read in Beijing, China)

Impeccably researched and a convincing read. Having just finished it in January 2020 (a week after the US drone attack on Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad) I feel much more enlightened regarding the hidden agendas concerning US long term foreign policy. It is interesting to note, unfortunately, that since this book was written 15 years ago nothing much has changed. Highly recommended.

Writing is sometimes repetitive or lacking in structure, but there are not many books out there that will give you the big picture like 'A Century Of War' does. It should be read by everyone, and not just once.