The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World
 | |
| Author | Daniel Yergin |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Penguin Press |
Publication date | September 20, 2011 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback, Paperback), E-book, Audiobook |
| Pages | 832 |
| ISBN | 1594202834 |
| Preceded by | The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power |
The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World is an international bestselling book by energy expert Daniel Yergin.[1][2] The book was initially published on September 20, 2011 through Penguin Press and is considered to be the follow-up to Yergin’s 1992 Pulitzer Prize winning history of oil, The Prize and describes the development of the current energy system and prospects for the future.[3] Upon its release, the book received praise and criticism both for its breadth of subject as well as for its impartiality.[4] It is often suggested as a “primer” or “guide” to the energy field for the way it combines a narrative across the entire energy spectrum into a single volume.[5][6]
Synopsis
The Quest is divided into six sections: The New World of Oil, the first section focuses on developments worldwide in the oil industry following the first Gulf War and the breakup of the Soviet Union. It is noteworthy that The Quest has two chapters devoted to China, the only country to get such treatment in the book, whereas The Prize talked very little about China. The second section, Securing the Supply, covers the ways in which concerns over energy security and scarcity have shaped the world’s economy, policies, and planning. This section tells the story of how shale gas was developed. The Electric Age, the third section, follows electricity’s rise, as well as the risks of nuclear proliferation, hurdles faced in ensuring that “the lights stay on” and the current challenges for fuel choice.
The fourth section, Climate and Carbon, lays out in six chapters the history of climate science from the “discovery” of the atmosphere in the late 18th Century and of the “ice age” in the early 19th century to its current central role in energy policy and debate. New Energies, the fifth section, focuses on the “rebirth of renewables” and the role of energy efficiency. The final section, The Road to the Future describes the evolution of personal mobility and the growing global demand for automobiles. Yergin covers the topics of 3rd and 4th generation biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas vehicles, and what he calls “round two in the race between gasoline and the electric car.” The book concludes with a discussion of the impact of the “globalization of innovation” on future energy supplies.[7]
Reception
Reception of The Quest has been generally positive,[8][9] with Asahi Shimbun listing it as a Book of the Year.[10] Praise for the book has predominantly centered on Yergin's coverage of the energy system,[6][11] with the New York Times referring to the book as "necessary reading" and The Economist calling it a "comprehensive guide to the world's great energy needs and dilemmas".[4][5]
Critiques of The Quest most often fall into three main categories.[12] Some critics commented on the book's 800 page length, noting that it was not necessarily for the casual reader and that it felt like several different books in one.[4] Others faulted Yergin for his impartiality and not taking a strong position on subjects such as climate change,[13] although the Wall Street Journal said that the book succumbed to "the conventional alarmist storyline” on climate.[14] Finally, peak oil advocates take strong issue with Yergin’s handling of the subject in the book, particularly the discussion of the founding of the peak theory and the potential for future oil discoveries.[15][16]
References
- ↑ Schuessler, Jennifer (9 October 2011). "NYT Best Sellers List". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ "World Economic Bestsellers". The Beijing Xinhua cultural LLC. The Beijing Xinhua cultural LLC. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ Benko, Ralph (3 January 2012). "Daniel Yergin's The Quest: Human Ingenuity, Passion, the Fall of Caliphatism and the Rise of Prosperity". Forbes. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- 1 2 3 Lane, Allen (17 September 2011). "How will mankind keep the lights on and the temperature down?". The Economist. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- 1 2 Garner, Dwight (20 September 2011). "Visions of an Age When Oil Isn’t King". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- 1 2 Gates, Bill. "'Review of The Quest, by Dainel Yergin'". GatesNotes. Bill Gates. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ "The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ "'The Quest': A review of Daniel Yergin's epic oil tome". USA Today. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ "'The Quest': Daniel Yergin on oil's future". Seattle Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ Critics. "原真人 書評委員お薦め「今年の３点」". bookAsahi. Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ Crooks, Ed (16 September 2011). "Daniel Yergin’s guide to the essentials of energy in the 21st century is another triumph". Financial Times. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ Hiltzik, Michael (25 September 2011). "Book review: 'The Quest'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ Zakaria, Fareed (25 September 2011). "How Will We Fuel the Future?". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ Hayward, Steven (20 September 2011). "In Search Of Carbon Copies". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ Nelder, Chris (October 4, 2011). "There Will Be Oil, But At What Price?". Harvard Business Review. Harvard Business Review.
- ↑ Mueller, Jan Lars. "Yergin is half-right about oil, but other half is what matters". Energy Bulletin. Energy Bulletin. Retrieved 22 January 2013.