This sequel to The Prize provides a narrative of global energy, the principal engine of geopolitical and economic change. The author, an energy authority continues the riveting story begun in the book, The Prize, in this account of the quest for the energy the world needs, and the power and riches that come with it. He proves that energy is truly the engine of global political and economic change, as well as central to the battle over climate change. From the jammed streets of Beijing, the shores of the Caspian Sea, and the conflicts in the Mideast, to Capitol Hill and Silicon Valley, he takes us inside the decisions and choices that are shaping our future. Without understanding the realities of energy examined in this book, we may surrender our place at the helm of history. He tells the inside stories of the oil market, the rise of the "petrostate", the race to control the resources of the former Soviet empire, and the massive corporate mergers that transformed the oil landscape. He shows how the drama of oil, the struggle for access to it, the battle for control, the insecurity of supply, the consequences of its use, its impact on the global economy, and the geopolitics that dominate it-will continue to shape our world. He takes on the toughest questions-will we run out of oil, and are China and the United States destined to conflict over oil? He also reveals the surprising and turbulent history of nuclear, coal, electricity, and natural gas. He investigates the "rebirth of renewables", biofuels and wind, as well as solar energy, which venture capitalists are betting will be "the next big thing" for meeting the needs of a growing world economy. He makes clear why understanding this greening landscape and its future role are crucial. He further brings climate change into unique perspective by offering an original and unprecedented history of how the issue went from concerning a handful of scientists, terrified of a new Ice Age, to one of the overarching issues of our times. This book presents an extraordinary range of characters and a panorama of dramatic stories that illustrate the principles that will shape a robust and flexible energy security system for the decades to come.

The New World of Oil. Russia returns ; The Caspian derby ; Across the Caspian ; "Supermajors" ; The petro-state ; Aggregate disruption ; War in Iraq ; The demand shock ; China's rise ; China in the fast lane -- Securing the Supply. Is the world running out of oil? ; Unconventional ; The security of energy ; Shifting sands in the Persian Gulf ; Gas on water ; The natural gas revolution -- The Electric Age. Alternating currents ; The nuclear cycle ; Breaking the bargain ; Fuel choice -- Climate and Carbon. Glacial change ; The age of discovery ; The road to Rio ; Making a market ; On the global agenda ; In search of consensus -- New Energies. Rebirth of renewables ; Science experiment ; Alchemy of shining light ; Mystery of wind ; The fifth fuel, efficiency ; Closing the conservation gap -- Road to the Future. Carbohydrate man ; Internal fire ; The great electric car experiment -- "A great revolution."