Oil!

Set against the rapid industrial expansion of Southern California in the 1910s and 1920s, the novel follows James Arnold Ross Jr., known as Bunny, the son of a self-made oil tycoon. While his father, J. Arnold Ross, maneuvers through corrupt land deals, bribed officials, and the Teapot Dome scandal to build a petroleum empire, Bunny experiences a political awakening. He navigates the tension between his wealthy upbringing and his friendship with Paul Watkins, a socialist veteran who exposes him to labor strikes, communist ideologies, and the harsh realities of working-class exploitation.

Readers interested in the intersection of American capitalism and grassroots activism choose this book to understand the early mechanics of the energy industry. It appeals to those seeking a detailed depiction of how private wealth influences public policy and judicial outcomes. The reader gains a granular view of drilling techniques, the history of the labor movement, and the social stratification caused by the sudden discovery of natural resources. By the end, one understands the friction between individual paternalism and collective bargaining in the early twentieth century.

Outward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.

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