Empires and anarchies : a history of oil in the Middle East / Michael Quentin Morton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Morton, Michael Quentin, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Petroleum industry and trade--Middle East--History--20th century.

Petroleum industry and trade.

Middle East--History--20th century.

Middle East.

Middle East--History--21st century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (263 pages) : illustrations, maps, photographs

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London, England : Reaktion Books, 2017.

Summary:

Oil lies at the heart of the modern history of the Middle East. For decades, the world's largest oil reserves have enriched the region's nations. But oil wealth has not brought with it universal prosperity. It has, though, transformed the Middle Eastern people and societies-enriching empires and engendering anarchies. Empires and Anarchies is an unconventional history of oil in the Middle East. In Michael Quentin Morton's account the burnt-out remains of Saddam Hussein's armaments and the human tragedy of the Arab Spring are as much of the story as the shimmering skylines of oil-rich nations. From the first explorers trudging through the desert to the excesses of the Peacock Throne and the high stakes of OPEC, Morton lays out the history of oil in compelling detail, arguing that oil simultaneously enriched and fractured the Middle East, eroding traditional ways of life, and eventually contributing to the rise of Islamic radicalism. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the promises and peril of the world's oil boom.

Contents:

Cover

Empires and Anarchies: A History of Oil in the Middle East

Imprint Page

Contents

Author's Note

Maps

Introduction

Iran

1. A Scrap of Paper, 1849-1918

2. Circling Skies, 1918-45

3. Into the Great Unknown, 1945-71

Iraq

4. The Oil Game, 1903-28

5. Birds of Ill Omen, 1928-45

6. Pumping Dust, 1945-71

Arabia and The Gulf

7. The Plenty Quarter, 1920-44

8. Big and Little Wheels, 1924-44

9. Chasing the Arab Zone, 1944-71

The Middle East

10. Voices in the Dark

11. Sisters and Brothers, 1945-80

12. Kings and Cartels, 1968-86

13. A Camel Ride to Armageddon, 1980-2003

14. The New Rome

Appendix

Timeline

Glossary

References

Select Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Photo Acknowledgements

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed September 14, 2017).

ISBN:

9781780238616

1780238614