The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations

For anyone reasonably interested in world history and international energy, about 80 to 90% of this book will seem to be a long winded restatement of what has appeared in news papers over the past 50 or more or years. Nothing new; just a lot of page filling details. The remaining 10% or so of the book contains conclusions that are totaling unsurprising or required skilled insight. Overall a big disappointment from an author who has almost unlimited access to data, analysis and industry and global thought leaders.

What a great book! Daniel Yergin writes an engaging tome about the current state of the energy markets in different geographical regions and the politics influencing–and influenced by–the world\’s decisionmakers and market movers. With Yergin\’s typical brilliant analysis and insight, the book addresses all the key issues of the moment, from the transition to more renewables, to geopolitical tensions with Russia and China, and what fracking really means to America. Yergin truly has his finger on the pulse of the world and has an amazing ability to assess the clashing paths of the world powers. The book doesn\’t shy away from controversy, and Yergin\’s capacity to weave in key facts and historical analogies makes this book one-of-a-kind and a must read. Thoughtful and well researched, Yergin could probably one another Pulitzer Prize for The New Map. Enjoy it.

This book is an excellent discussion of the trends in energy sector over the past few decades. However, there is very little information that hasn’t been widely reported in the general press and there is very little insight or commentary provided by the author. If you need a good book on the evolution of the energy sector since the 1990s but this book, but if your looking for a thoughtful analysis of the issues and policy ideas for change, this book will disappoint you.

Don\’t be mistaken, this is not a novel. This book is not for someone who has no grasp of energy jargon, westerian world order, or history behind formation of modern Middle East. Without that awareness this book is mere collection of sporadic facts tied together by invisible fabric. Like bunch of newspaper clippings ordered by time and place. Obvious facts, exposed connections, seemingly unrelated events… and then… after gaining your trust, it stubs your mind with cynical surgical precision of reality, opinion and bias. There is no culmination in this book, no \”aha!\” moment, no exposure, nor surprise… but an amazing \”Doppler effect\” of increased frequency with which author oscillate around oil-power-vertical. Bouncing off of climate, electrification, mobility, technology, modern business and the massive shift in a capital allocation. Like approaching ambulance, it wakes you up with higher pitched siren. And now ambulance is here you are up and awake! You are just in \”that\” moment! Five stars, period. I had a fun time. Fun time indeed.

Coming after the “Prize,” the “Heights,” and the “Quest” this book sort of feels like the closing argument, sort of the last episode of the final Season of your favorite show. I have always loved this Author’s writing style, beginning with the “ Quest” his writing just appealed to how I think and made the pages sail by I’m my mind. There is some of this in “Map” but much of it seems pasted together, like a the final episode trying to tie every loose end up before they turn off the spot light. There is much to think through here, and many of the stories about the people that march through momentous events in history remind me of the great story telling in “Quest” and “Heights.” The Author’s encyclopedic history of the great “carbon economy” of the past century is a wonder. It sometimes gets lost in the “what ifs “ and “ perhaps in the future “ that also show up in “Prize.”Still, it’s an enjoyable read by the master of the subject.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member