Steve Coll

Make no mistake, this book is not a small undertaking. The density of information, whilst impressive, is tiring. I found it best to read in chunks, between other books. Fortunately, each chapter stands alone rather well, whilst still bringing the complex threads of the ExxonMobil (post Exxon Valdez) story together in a cogent manner. It took a while to read through it in this way, but I don't think the experience suffered for it.

Steve Coll brings a very high level of journalistic expertise to the table and it shows. This book is astonishingly well researched, pretty much every assertion made is backed up with citations from sources such as interviews carried out specifically for this book, FOIA requests and Wikileaks cables. Coll maintains a relatively objective voice throughout as well, something I wasn't expecting so much. I was anticipating something rather more overtly damning than is presented, though there can be no doubt as to the conclusions Coll expects you to draw, both in relation to 'Big Oil' generally and ExxonValdez in particular. This book is a fascinating insight into that world and it's machinations. Recommended for those with the interest and patience to stick it out.… (mere)