Poisoned Wells: The Dirty Politics of African Oil (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: joint development zone, terra verde, transparency campaigners, Sao Tomé, Equatorial Guinea, Poisoned Wells (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While all eyes focus on the oil-rich Middle East as the nexus of conflict in a world addicted to crude, the future belongs to Africa, writes British journalist Shaxson in this page-turning, character-driven narrative. Illuminating African postcolonial (and neocolonial) history through the prism of oil, he reveals the central and dangerous role that Africa's oil states now play, casting the precious fuel as a poison not only for the continent but "to liberty, democracy, and free markets around the globe." An acute observer of the vast and secretive industry, Shaxson draws on his own reporting in key areas like Nigeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Angola as well as the work of experts like the late François-Xavier Verschave. In this stark portrait, the paradox of African oil is that, time and again, enormous wealth for a few translates into increasing poverty and political and economic insecurity for the majority. Shaxson sketches a system largely outside the purview of international law involving the highest levels of French, U.S. and other Western governments, financial institutions and elites. Although he proposes practical legislative steps, Shaxson makes clear that the grievous mix of politics, mafia-style operations and endless oil profits not only subverts democratic reforms, but in places like the Niger Delta gives rise to exactly the kind of conditions that produced September 11. (Apr.)
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Review

"Shaxson argues convincingly that the failed oil states of Africa will be the next Great Game in a world still addicted to oil and increasingly willing to fight for it.  This book is a must read for anyone concerned about Africa and Big Oil. Shaxson’s obvious love for the continent and its people comes clearly through in his writing but does not temper his revulsion at the complex and bloody mess he found there. He digs deeply to uncover the real story beneath the headlines and to eloquently explain an Alice in Wonderland world of money, corruption, war and intrigue. It is a story well told that has the power to stun even the most hardened observer of Africa’s tragedy. Yet at the same time Shaxson powerfully describes people who have battled against the corrupt, the venal and the just plain evil, making a book that is often as inspiring as it is horrifying. Mixing the personal and political, he has written a compelling story that explains one of the most baffling riddles of the modern world: why has oil become a curse for Africa, not a blessing?"
--Paul Harris, US Correspondent, The Observer

 

"Nicholas Shaxson has traveled to some of the most dangerous and dysfunctional nations on the planet, delved into the murky depths of the African oil business and emerged with a grisly but compelling tale of greed, corruption, and violence. There are still some who believe that oil can rescue Africa from poverty at the same time as saving America from its fatal dependence on suppliers in the Middle East. In this remarkable book, the fruit of years of painstaking research, Shaxson exposes oil as a destroyer, not a savior, of all that is best in Africa."--Victor Mallet, Asia editor, Financial Times, and author of The Trouble with Tigers: The Rise and Fall of South-East Asia

 

"This is a splendid book about a crucial subject.  We need oil. We want the countries that sell it to us to be stable. But oil itself destabilizes them, unless they were mature democracies before they discovered it. Nicholas Shaxson has put in more legwork in wrecked African petro-states than any other reporter I can think of. The result is a cracking tale of blood, champagne and the 'Devil's excrement.'"

--Robert Guest, former Africa editor, The Economist, and author of The Shackled Continent

 

"This book will be unsettling for those with preconceived ideas about the oil industry, international business or African politics. Shaxson shows that there are no easy answers to questions on the role of multinational oil giants in Africa, or how to tackle the corruption that is often the result of their oil deals. He shows there are many, many complicated shades of grey--but he does so, thankfully, using such a colorful style and language that the book comes to life and is a pleasure to read."

--Hugh Williamson, Berlin correspondent, Financial Times

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Product Details Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1st edition (March 20, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 1403971943 ISBN-13: 978-1403971944 Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,412 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #57 in  Books > History > Africa > Southern Africa

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
joint development zone, terra verde, transparency campaigners, oil zones, debt deal, oil money, oil contracts

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sao Tomé, Equatorial Guinea, Poisoned Wells, United States, Global Witness, Eva Joly, South Africa, Abel Abraáo, Severo Moto, Omar Bongo, Arcadi Gaydamak, Cold War, President Obasanjo, Niger Delta, Obiang Nguema, Elf Gabon, World Bank, Soviet Union, Fradique de Menezes, United Nations, New York, Pinto da Costa, Executive Outcomes, World War, André Milongo

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	82% buy the item featured on this page: Poisoned Wells: The Dirty Politics of African Oil 4.0 out of 5 stars (3) $19.67
	11% buy Untapped: The Scramble for Africa's Oil 4.4 out of 5 stars (31) $10.20
	3% buy The Wonga Coup: Guns, Thugs, and a Ruthless Determination to Create Mayhem in an Oil-Rich Corner of Africa 3.5 out of 5 stars (15) $5.98
	2% buy Curse Of The Black Gold: 50 Years of Oil in the Niger Delta 5.0 out of 5 stars (4) $32.85

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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars An Expert Falls Short, December 29, 2007 By  LVT06 - See all my reviews Shaxson's introduction and preliminary chapters immediately prove that he is a bona fide Africa expert. Having extensively lived and worked there, getting closely acquainted with the politicians, industrialists and average joes, he knows his topic better than any ivory tower academic or think tank regional "expert." His anecdotes and insights are accurate, concise and reasonably centrist. His writing is excellent. And yet he failed to earn 5 stars because the book itself delves too far into specific biographies of pivotal politicos and activists. Shaxson is sharp and experienced enough to produce a country-by-country analytical handbook documenting oil's impact on 21st Century Africa but instead he chose to take the conversational, journalistic feature-article format. For professionals and novices seeking accurate and timely information on Africa, this is a good start. Lutz Kleveman's "New Great Game" was equally readable and informal but a far more informative example for Shaxson to follow in his next book. 7 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Poisoned Wells, June 10, 2007 By  R. Utne (Boca Raton, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Of the current crop of "what is wrong with Africa" books including "The Shackled Continent", "The White Man's Burden" and "The Trouble with Africa", Nicholas Shaxson's analysis and prescriptions for change are the most radical and on-the-money. Shaxson's book should be widely read and discussed. Unfortunately, too much invested in the status quo by all concerned to see much likelihood of change within the next few decades. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Making sense of oil, March 10, 2009 By  Christopher Simpson "CHRIS CRISIS" (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Shaxson produces a highly readable and informative blend of anecdotes and analysis to make sense of Africa's oil predicament. Shaxson avoids glib solutions and easy judgements. It is the lesser-known oil producers which he does best on, notably Sao Tome and Principe and Equatorial Guinea. He has a good and detailed grasp of the subject matter, but has the wit and narrative skills to keep the less-informed reader on board with a series of entertaining almost travelogue-style pieces on indiviual countries visited.		Ad feedback   Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1st edition (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403971943
• ISBN-13: 978-1403971944
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,412 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #57 in

  Books > History > Africa > Southern Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Expert Falls Short, December 29, 2007

By	LVT06 - See all my reviews

Shaxson's introduction and preliminary chapters immediately prove that he is a bona fide Africa expert. Having extensively lived and worked there, getting closely acquainted with the politicians, industrialists and average joes, he knows his topic better than any ivory tower academic or think tank regional "expert." His anecdotes and insights are accurate, concise and reasonably centrist. His writing is excellent. And yet he failed to earn 5 stars because the book itself delves too far into specific biographies of pivotal politicos and activists. Shaxson is sharp and experienced enough to produce a country-by-country analytical handbook documenting oil's impact on 21st Century Africa but instead he chose to take the conversational, journalistic feature-article format. For professionals and novices seeking accurate and timely information on Africa, this is a good start. Lutz Kleveman's "New Great Game" was equally readable and informal but a far more informative example for Shaxson to follow in his next book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poisoned Wells, June 10, 2007

By	R. Utne (Boca Raton, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of the current crop of "what is wrong with Africa" books including "The Shackled Continent", "The White Man's Burden" and "The Trouble with Africa", Nicholas Shaxson's analysis and prescriptions for change are the most radical and on-the-money. Shaxson's book should be widely read and discussed. Unfortunately, too much invested in the status quo by all concerned to see much likelihood of change within the next few decades.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making sense of oil, March 10, 2009

By	Christopher Simpson "CHRIS CRISIS" (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Shaxson produces a highly readable and informative blend of anecdotes and analysis to make sense of Africa's oil predicament. Shaxson avoids glib solutions and easy judgements. It is the lesser-known oil producers which he does best on, notably Sao Tome and Principe and Equatorial Guinea. He has a good and detailed grasp of the subject matter, but has the wit and narrative skills to keep the less-informed reader on board with a series of entertaining almost travelogue-style pieces on indiviual countries visited.