Best Oil & Energy Industry Books of 2025

The book "Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas--Not Less" challenges the common belief that the use of fossil fuels has a negative impact on climate change. The author, Alex Epstein, argues that the benefits of fossil fuels outweigh their side effects and are essential for global human flourishing. He suggests that a combination of using more fossil fuels, better climate mastery, and establishing energy freedom policies is the path to a better future. Epstein's "human flourishing framework" and his unique insights make this book a must-read for those interested in environmental economics.

California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and What It Means for America's Power Grid is a must-read book for those interested in environmental economics. Katherine Blunt's deeply reported and character-driven narrative explores the decline of California's largest utility company and the human cost of infrastructure failure. Blunt chronicles the evolution of PG&E's shareholder base, from innovators to aggressive investors keen on reaping dividends. The book serves as a cautionary tale for utilities across the nation, especially as climate change makes aging infrastructure more vulnerable, with potentially fatal consequences.

Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon by William D. Cohan is a captivating read that chronicles the dramatic journey of General Electric (GE) from its inception to its downfall. The book provides a masterful re-appraisal of GE's management culture and pioneering doctrine of shareholder value that led to its success and eventual collapse. Cohan's meticulous research and access to major players in the company bear significant fruit, making this book a rich narrative that is both informative and insightful. Overall, Power Failure is a cautionary tale that offers valuable lessons on the perils of corporate hubris and the importance of avoiding avoidable mistakes.

The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein challenges the traditional narrative surrounding fossil fuels and argues that they are essential for human well-being. Epstein contends that the benefits of using fossil fuels far outweigh the risks, and that we are morally obligated to use more of them for the sake of our economy and environment. The book provides original insights and cutting-edge research to support its claims, debunking common myths about fossil fuels. Overall, The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels offers a unique perspective on the role of fossil fuels in modern society and is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental economics.

The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of energy, climate change, and geopolitics. The book offers a comprehensive account of how the shale revolution in oil and gas has transformed the global economy and the challenges it poses to the low-carbon future. Yergin's storytelling and expertise make this book a master class on how the world works. Overall, The New Map is a well-researched and insightful book on a timely and important topic.

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power by Daniel Yergin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book that provides a comprehensive history of the global pursuit of oil, money, and power. The book explores the economic and political clashes over oil, from the drilling of the first well in Pennsylvania through to the present day climate change issue. With great insight and research, Yergin offers a unique perspective on the ongoing energy crisis and how oil continues to fuel global rivalries, shape the world economy, and transform the destiny of men and nations. The Prize is a must-read for anyone interested in the role of oil in modern history.

Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and the Fall of General Electric by Wall Street Journal reporters is a detailed and compelling account of the epic decline of one of America's most iconic corporations. The book examines how GE's culture of winning at all costs ultimately caused its decline on both a personal and organizational scale. This book is a cautionary tale for our times, and anyone in a leadership role can learn valuable lessons from it. The book is highly recommended for those interested in business history and leadership.

The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes is a spellbinding chronicle of Texas oil, weaving together the multigenerational sagas of the industry's four wealthiest families. Author Bryan Burrough brings to life the men known in their day as the Big Four: Roy Cullen, H. L. Hunt, Clint Murchison, and Sid Richardson, all swaggering Texas oil tycoons who owned sprawling ranches and mingled with presidents and Hollywood stars. Burrough's abilities and Texas upbringing make The Big Rich a hugely entertaining account, with phenomenal reviews and sales. This book is a fascinating portrait of capitalism as white-knuckle risk-taking, yielding fruitful discoveries for the fathers, but only sterile speculation for the sons.

Renewable Energy Finance: Theory and Practice is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding renewable energy project finance. The book delves into the intricacies of financing renewable energy projects, providing real-life examples and fundamental analysis. The author, Santosh Raikar, draws on his extensive experience in energy and infrastructure project finance to explain the unique characteristics of renewable energy projects and how they can attract funding. The book's comparisons of developed and developing countries make it a valuable resource worldwide. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in renewable energy finance.

The book "Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think" documents how exponential growth in technology will enable us to make greater gains in the next two decades than we have in the previous 200 years. The authors break down human needs by category and introduce us to innovators and industry captains making tremendous strides in each area. The book offers a hopeful view of the future and gives readers good ideas on how they can contribute to creating a better world. This book review recommends "Abundance" to anyone interested in income inequality books.