The Oil and the Glory: The Pursuit of Empire and Fortune on the Caspian Sea

Steve used to stop by my apartment in Baku, Azerbaijan to rest up and exchange thoughts on what was happening as we oil companies pursued the "Contract of the Century". He said that he was going to write a book about it but little did I know that he would write such a great book!! Hopkirk, Yergin and now LeVine! I know from my years in Baku that those events in his book are accurate. But Steve also brings a much wider and historical perspective than I was ever able to piece together while there. Once you pick up his book you won't be able to put it down until you have finished it!

This wonderful book is the work of author and journalist Steve LeVine, who has spent 18 years studying and reporting on that part of the world. In this book, we see the history of the great oil fields of Caspian Sea region, from its first development in the 19th century, through to today. Along the way the reader meets giants of industry, robber barons, political hacks, fixers, and men of every stripe imaginable. I must admit that I did not expect too much from this book when I first picked it up. I mean, how interesting can the story of oil development be? Well, Mr. LeVine certainly showed me how interesting it can be! I found the book to be extremely well-written, filled with interesting people, showing a deep understanding of the subject. Indeed, I think that the author goes a long way towards showing what has been happening over in that increasingly important part of the world, and what it means for the future of everyone. This is a very interesting and informative book, one that I highly recommend!

With nearly two decades of reporting experience in Central Asia for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, LeVine is uniquely qualified to meld the history of the nations bordering the Caspian Sea with contemporary geopolitics. While well-researched and documented, The Oil and the Glory reads like a spellbinding mystery, making it a quick and pleasant read. Bribes, political backstabbing and policy divisions within the U.S. governments are described in colorful detail. Importantly, the Caspian Sea reserves could greatly decrease our dependence on Middle Eastern Oil if we can maintain our strategic advantage which is being undercut by the Putin's government. LeVine's The Oil and the Glory, like the Yergin's The Prize, is destined to be required reading for those wishing to understand how oil, while vital, is sometimes described as a curse.

"Oil and the Glory" reads like a combination of "The Prize", People Magazine, News of the World, and "Wealth of Nations". Especially enjoyable are the descriptions of the major oil company execs, rather different from what company spin doctors offer (but for those of us who knew or knew of them, accurate)... Also good are the profiles of Jim Giffen and John Deuss, the kind of people I thought only existed in fiction... Mr. LeVine has reported for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, New York Times and others, and has done a brilliant job capturing the past and present history and adventures (and adventurers) in what is one of the most important oil provinces in the world. But beware -- once you start reading this book, it's pretty hard to put it back down in order to eat, sleep, or do other activities that normally occupy one's time...

You'll literally pick this up and won't put it down. Steve LeVine's "The Oil And The Glory" is a gripping tale of one of the world's most strategically important, yet virtually unknown parts of the world. Over the past 15 years this area has been completely shaped by Big Oil's hunt for resources, American and Russian governments battle for geopolitical influence, and independent dealmakers quest to get rich. What I liked about this book is that it's a first-hand account from guys that were there to explain how these forces shaped the region. What initially piqued my interest in the book was 5 years living in the former Soviet Union. We heard bits and pieces that alone ended up in Bond movies (not to mention Borat). But now with oil at $90 and huge quantities from the region beginning to come on the market, the Caspian Sea is clearly becoming more strategically important. Steve's book provides right amount of historical context to help better understand these events, and his lively style, with vivid descriptions and fast pace held me until the end. Highly recommended.