Untapped

Although Africa has long been known to be rich in oil, extracting it hadn’t seemed worth the effort and risk until recently. But with the price of Middle Eastern crude oil skyrocketing and advancing technology making reserves easier to tap, the region has become the scene of a competition between major powers that recalls the nineteenth-century scramble for colonization there. But what does this giddy new oil boom mean—for America, for the world, for Africans themselves?John Ghazvinian traveled through twelve African countries—from Sudan to Congo to Angola—talking to warlords, industry executives, bandits, activists, priests, missionaries, oil-rig workers, scientists, and ordinary people whose lives have been transformed—not necessarily for the better—by the riches beneath their feet. The result is a high-octane narrative that reveals the challenges, obstacles, reasons for despair, and reasons for hope emerging from one of the world’s energy hot spots. This gripping work of investigative journalism takes you to the front lines of the new scramble for Africa’s oil: A New "Great Game": Follow the intense competition between the United States, China, and Europe as they vie for influence and access to Africa’s vast petroleum reserves. Investigative Journalism on the Ground: Journey through twelve African nations, from Sudan to Angola, with unprecedented access to everyone from warlords and oil executives to ordinary people caught in the crossfire. The Paradox of Plenty: An unflinching look at why billions in petrodollars often lead to corruption, conflict, and deeper poverty for the people whose lives are transformed by the riches beneath their feet. The Future of Energy Security: A clear-eyed analysis of what Africa’s rise as one of the world’s energy hot spots means for America, the world, and the future of global energy markets.