Customer Reviews

Life and Death of an Oilman: The Career of E. W. Marland

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This book is an easy read. There are really two stories told: Marland's biography, and also, an history of early economic development in the northern part of the young state of Oklahoma. In a few chapters you will read about geology, Native American tribes, seizure of Indian lands in the "Cherokee Strip", early oilmen, New York bankers, the roaring 1920's and the Great Depression. They all influenced Marland's career as an oilman. The author's (often acerbic) opinions about persons and events are freely given throughout his book.

A good perspective on one speculator who became wealthy yet, took the time to remember the employees and the city which enabled his business to thrive. He was a true rebel in the business world of his day. However, his naive business sense led to his economic downfall. Politically interesting information as well as personal triumphs
and tragedies.

I should have read the title better...."Life and Death of An Oilman: The CAREER of E.W. Marland". (capital letters mine). This was mainly 90% about the business life of Marland, whereas a true life story would have been VERY interesting. How he married his step daughter and lived in that wonderful mansion, but very little is said about any of that. Hence, I skipped through the book and read hardly any of it. Glad I bought it used.