This entertaining collection of anecdotes and stories charts the lesser-known history of the hunt for oil in the Middle East.The Middle East had long been awash with rumours and legends of oil, rumours that gradually seeped into Western Europe. The Greek historian Herodotus had once described the existence of "oil-pits" in Mesopotamia, while Jebel Zeit, a mountain on the west coast of the Gulf of Suez, was known by the ancients as Mons Petroleus. "The Oil Hunters" tells the stories of the explorers, spies and entrepreneurs who led the hunt for oil in the Middle East from the 1880s to the outbreak of the Second World War. Against the backdrop of British and Russian - and increasingly American - manoeuvrings for dominance in the region, Roger Howard explores the history of oil exploration in anecdotal style and with a lively pace. He brings to life forgotten figures such as Frank Holmes, revered by the Arabs as Abu Naft (the Father of Oil) and Harry St John Philby, father of the famous traitor as well as figures from the world stage such as Julius de Reuter, Calouste Gulbenkian and Charles R. Crane.The book shows how today's oil giants emerged not only in Persia but also Iraq (Mesopotamia), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. British Petroleum, for example, was originally the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. Considered by many to be one of the most important events of twentieth century history, the discovery of Persian oil in 1908 is related here as a vivid adventure story of exploration and exploitation, peopled by eccentrics, adventures and magnates.

This entertaining collection of anecdotes and stories charts the lesser-known history of the hunt for oil in the Middle East.

About the Author
Roger Howard is a writer and broadcaster specialising in the Middle East. His most recent publication is Iran Oil: The New Middle East Challenge to America (2006).

Reviews
"Using an anecdotal style, Roger Howard brings to life forgotten figures who controlled the increase in demand for petroleum" - Petroleum Review
"A straightforward, unpretentious and enjoyable if familiar account of some of the early concession hunters and oil explorers in the Middle East." Times Literary Supplement, January 2009
Author review article in The Independent.
"A fascinating story for anyone interested in one of today's main economic problems: How to reduce the hundreds of billions that Americans spend every year to import oil...the book is packed with intrepid geologists, risk-averse business people, hard-up Mideast rulers and ingenious promoters- all concerned with driving up profits." -The Associated Press 9/11/08
'The Dramatic Days of oil exploration in the first half of the 20th centrury are narrated in gripping fashion by Roger Howard.' The Spectator * Spectator, The *



Book Information
ISBN 9781847252326
Author Dr Roger Howard
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Hambledon Continuum
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC