Crude Volatility: The History and the Future of Boom-Bust Oil Prices (Columbia University Press)

Oil is the lifeblood of modern civilization, ranking alongside food as one of our most critical commodities. It drives geopolitical, economic, and financial affairs, as well as environmental debates and policymaking. As the place of oil in our global economy has evolved, so too has the way we buy and sell it, with rudimentary transactions at the wellhead developing into a sophisticated and complex global market. Yet while today's oil market bears little resemblance to the one born in the valleys and creeks of western Pennsylvania more than 150 years ago$8184 Tracing a history marked with conflict, intrigue, and extreme uncertainty, Robert McNally shows howwild volatility in oil prices led to intensive efforts to stabilize price fluctuations and manage supply. Crude Volatility provides a crucial perspective that discards distractions and tired myths, shows lessons learned from prior mistakes, and provides the historical foundation we need to face, understand, and surmount the challenges ahead.