Includes bibliographical references (p. [732]-787) and index.

Part 1: The new world of oil. Russia returns ; The Caspian derby ; Across the Caspian ; "Supermajors" ; The petro-state ; Aggregate disruption ; War in Iraq ; The demand shock ; China's rise ; China in the fast lane -- Part 2: Securing the supply. Is the world running out of oil? ; Unconventional ; The security of energy ; Shifting sands in the Persian Gulf ; Gas on water ; The natural gas revolution -- Part 3: The electric age. Alternating currents ; The nuclear cycle ; Breaking the bargain ; Fuel choice -- Part 4: Climate and carbon. Glacial change ; The age of discovery ; The road to Rio ; Making a market ; On the global agenda ; In search of consensus -- Part 5: New energies. Rebirth of renewables ; Science experiment ; Alchemy of shining light ; Mystery of wind ; The fifth fuel - efficiency ; Closing the conservation gap -- Part 6: Road to the future. Carbohydrate man ; Internal fire ; The great electric car experiment -- Conclusion: "A great revolution". "A master storyteller as well as a leading energy expert, Daniel Yergin continues the riveting story begun in his Pulitzer Prize--winning book, The Prize. In The Quest, Yergin shows us how energy is an engine of global political and economic change and conflict, in a story that spans the energies on which our civilization has been built and the new energies that are competing to replace them. The Quest tells the inside stories, tackles the tough questions, and reveals surprising insights about coal, electricity, and natural gas. He explains how climate change became a great issue and leads readers through the rebirth of renewable energies, energy independence, and the return of the electric car. Epic in scope and never more timely, The Quest vividly reveals the decisions, technologies, and individuals that are shaping our future."--Publisher description.