January 15, 2012
Opinionated, cogent perspectives on the role of fossil fuels in human history. Following a doubtless accurate claim that controlling the supply of oil and finding substitutes for the stuff "will shape much of the social, political, and military history of the twenty-first century," Marrin opens with a petro-centric tale of wars. These range from an Egyptian conflict in the 4th century BCE to the War on Terror ("really the war for oil in disguise," he suggests) and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. He also reviews the course of the Industrial Revolution (noting that automobiles were initially welcomed as being "cleaner, healthier, and safer" than horses), then goes on to analyze the hazards of our oil dependence, recap major oil spills and consider both the benefits and dangers of alternative energy sources. Well-surveyed territory this all may be, but the author's beneficent portrait of John D. Rockefeller, his references to British "terrorism" in the Middle East and other heterodox views give it distinctive angles. Moreover, the urgency of his message that something has to change comes through clearly. Required reading on a topic that can only grow in importance to readers who will be living that "social, political, and military history." (endnotes, index, black-and-white photos) (Nonfiction. 11-14)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Marrin weaves chemical, historical, industrial, and military information together to create a cohesive explanation of something that has changed our world, for good or ill. The summary of oil's importance in modern military efforts from World War I onward is particularly enlightening. The detail regarding the chaotic and complex history of the modern Middle East is comprehensive but not overwhelming. The negative environmental impacts of oil extraction, transportation, and consumption are summarized and current, e.g., the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion/spill is included. Energy dependence in the developed world is outlined, as is the search for alternative fuels and renewable energy. The author strikes a hopeful tone when discussing renewable technologies but is realistic in relating the many obstacles to weaning our modern world from its insatiable thirst for more oil. Black-and-white charts, graphs, and reproductions bring immediacy to the text. Meticulously researched and noted, this volume will serve to introduce readers to the ticking time bomb of the depletion of fossil fuels. Marrin's dedication is "For today's young people, who will be confronted by the problem of black gold tomorrow." May his target audience read and heed his words. An extremely readable guide to a very important subject.-Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

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May 1, 2012
"Our country has 5 percent of the world's population but uses 26 percent of its energy." And most of that energy -- fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas -- is nonrenewable. Before Marrin discusses the current state of affairs, the somewhat bleak outlook for the future, and alternative sources of energy (nuclear, solar, wind, and water), he gives readers a geology primer on the formation of oil and a brief overview of oil in ancient times. But the narrative is most successful once it reaches the Industrial Revolution, when the discovery and refinement of oil leads to a cycle of greed, wealth, politics, and war that drives modern civilization throughout the twentieth century and into the present one, including the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. If the ambitious scope and disparate elements do not always cohere, and if the narrative is overstuffed with numbers and dates, Black Gold provokes readers with challenging insights and difficult questions, always eschewing simplistic explanations. Black-and-white photographs with accompanying captions illustrate the text, while notes, a glossary, and an index are appended. jonathan hunt

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2012
Opening with a geology primer on the formation of oil and a brief overview of oil in ancient times, the narrative is most successful in describing the cycle of greed, wealth, politics, and war that drove modern civilization throughout the twentieth century and into the present. Marrin offers challenging insights and difficult questions that eschew simplistic explanations. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)