World History: Our Most Powerful Economic and Political Forces are Tied to the Energy Scene

As I continue to organize my new book of clean energy, it looks like I’ll be opening with a bit of history. The truth is that the struggle to control the world’s energy supply has dominated the agendas of world leaders and captains of industry for more than a century; in fact, what we see here today is just the next logical battle in a war that has been raging since our great grandparents’ generation.

I want to begin with words like: “Sadly, only a few people know enough about world history to understand how deeply the world’s most powerful economic and political forces are tied to the energy scene.”  Then I want to present about 25 pages of material — enough to make the point and prove the case, but not so much to burden the reader with more on the subject than he needs or wants to know.

To develop this passage, I’d sure like to interview Robert Newman, the British historian, social critic, and comedian.  As I wrote last year here, if our civilization has a chance here, it will be because people like him had insight into the truth, had the guts to tell it, and possessed the talent to do it in a way that people actually enjoy.

For those who may not be aware of Newman’s contributions, pour yourself a cup of coffee, or a glass of good wine (depending on the time of day), click on the link above and settle in for 45 minutes that I promise you’ll never forget. My advice: be braced to laugh through the tears; Newman is hilarious, but be prepared to learn about the realities of the history of oil, and their terrible consequences to our modern world.

And if you happen to know the guy personally, please send him my way.