Includes bibliographical references (p. [465]-474) and index.

"A groundbreaking, in-depth, and authoritative twenty-year history of the hunt and speculation for our most vital natural resource...The story of oil is a story of high stakes and extreme risk. It is the story of the crushing rivalries between men and women exploring for oil five miles beneath the sea, battling for control of the world's biggest corporations, and gambling billions of dollars twenty-four hours every day on oil's prices. It is the story of corporate chieftains in Dallas and London, traders in New York, oil-oligarchs in Moscow, and globe-trotting politicians--all maneuvering for power..."--Dust jacket flap. The emperor -- The explorer -- The master trader -- The casualty -- The star -- The booty hunters -- The oligarchs -- The suspect traders -- The crisis -- The hunter -- The aggressors -- The antagonists -- The shooting star -- The twister -- The gamble -- The downfall -- The alarm -- The struggle -- The survivor -- The backlash -- The confession -- The oligarch's squeeze -- The frustrated regulator.