The First World Oil War
Published: October 2016© 2016
Imprint: University of Toronto Press
Page Count: 416 Pages
Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.00
416 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in
Ebook - ePub
Oil is the source of wealth and economic opportunity. Oil is also the root source of global conflict, toxicity and economic disparity. When did oil become such a powerful commodity—during, and in the immediate aftermath of, the First World War.
In his groundbreaking book The First World Oil War, Timothy C. Winegard argues that beginning with the First World War, oil became the preeminent commodity to safeguard national security and promote domestic prosperity. For the first time in history, territory was specifically conquered to possess oil fields and resources; vital cogs in the continuation of the industrialized warfare of the Twentieth Century.
This original and pioneering study analyzes the evolution of oil as a catalyst for both war and diplomacy, and connects the events of the First World War to contemporary petroleum geo-politics and international aggression.
Foreword by Sir Hew Strachan
List of Tables
List of Illustrations
Author’s Note: On Words
Chapter 1: Oil and the Great Game
Chapter 2: Petroleum and Pipeline Politics
Chapter 3: The Last Crusade in the Middle East
Chapter 4: The Black Blood of Victory
Chapter 5: The Deployment of Dunsterforce
Chapter 6: Basra to Baghdad to Baku
Chapter 7: The Battle for Baku
Chapter 8: Peace and Petroleum
Chapter 9: Oil and the New Great Game
Appendix: Petroleum Situation in the British Empire, Admiral Sir Edmond J.W. Slade, 29 July 1918.
‘Exceptionally and impressively well written, The First World Oil War is highly recommended for both academia and non-specialist general readers.’John Taylor, Midwest Book Review, December 2016
"Timothy C. Winegard looks at how, since the First World War, the oil industry has become a catalyst for both war and diplomacy in The First World Oil War."Quill and Quire
‘This is an important contribution to First world War history and is recommended for interested readers as well as undergraduate and graduate audiences.’Corbin Williamson, Canadian Military History vol 27:01:2018
“The First World Oil War is a significant contribution to our knowledge of the First World War. Winegard’s erudite work is on-par with the best literature in the field and presents a way to make the war relevant to our understanding of the world today.”Michael Neiberg, author of Potsdam: The End of World War II and the Remaking of Europe