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Principalities and Powers #2

Oil (Principalities and Powers Series) by Jeff Nesbit

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Plunge into the heart of the oil conflicts that pit nation against nation in the Middle East—and threaten to topple a fragile world economy. With the discovery of a secret oil pipeline—once funded by Iran to connect the Mediterranean to the Red Sea through the heart of Israel—comes Israel's shocking emergence as the world's newest oil and gas superpower. Meanwhile, ancient fights that have split Islam for hundreds of years threaten to shatter an uneasy peace forged between Israel, Iran, and the United States—until news of the emergence of the Mahdi threatens to change the balance of power forever in the Middle East.

Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

54 people want to read

About the author

Jeff Nesbit

33 books63 followers
JEFF NESBIT was the director of public affairs for two federal science agencies. He was once profiled in The Wall Street Journal as one of the seven people who ended the Tobacco Wars. He was also a national journalist, communications director for former Vice President Quayle, and the director of a Washington, DC-based strategic communications business. Now the executive director of Climate Nexus, he is also a contributing writer to The New York Times, Time, U.S. News & World Report and Axios. He lives in New York and San Francisco.

His new book, THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS, from St. Martin's Press will be available Sept. 25, 2018. Bill McKibben calls it a "touchstone book for understanding the world we're daily creating." Senator John Kerry says it is an "enlightening - and alarming - explanation of the climate challenge as it exists today." Sierra Club leader Michael Brune said the book "challenges us to save not just our world but our humanity.:"

Nesbit's previous book with St. Martin's Press, POISON TEA, was well-received by critics. The New York Times called it a "refresher course in Civics 101." Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Kobert said: "Poison Tea is compelling, richly reported, and utterly chilling."

In addition to his non-fiction work, Nesbit has also written more than 20 inspirational novels with Tyndale, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Guideposts, Summerside Press, David C. Cook, Hodder & Stoughton, Harold Shaw (part of Random House) and Victor Books. His latest fiction series, with New York Times best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, is the Worthington Destiny series.

In Washington, he was a senior public affairs official in the U.S. Senate and federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration; a national journalist with Knight-Ridder and others; head of a strategic communications consulting firm for more than a decade; director of communications for former Vice President Dan Quayle at the White house; and the director of legislative and public affairs at the National Science Foundation from 2006-2011.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
Author 45 books419 followers
May 28, 2012
Oil was an interesting novel. I've read a number of political thrillers in the last few years pertaining to the 12th Imam and stuff with similar themes. This story was interesting with a slightly different take on things, but in the end, the author set up a frightening scenario that could really happen. It seems like no matter which way you slice it, another major war will eventually come. The issue is how and when. That said, people who enjoy political thriller-type stories will like this, but also need to realize it's not a very paced novel. There is more about politics and getting in the heads of a number of people who know inside information and less about scenarios that make you hold your breath.

Nevertheless, I didn't skim this one and read every word. It was a bit slow moving at first, but the author was trying to set up all the players and their motivations. I can easily see this as a series and would like to read the next book. If you like Joel Rosenberg's political novels, you'll like this one. However, this author has a unique voice that is different from Rosenberg's, so he's not a knock off of another author's style. It seems like the author understands politics and diplomacy and how everything works better than most, and I'm sure his former job at the White House plays a part in that. For that perspective alone, it's a pretty fascinating read. And this author is fair to all sides. He doesn't slant one way or the other when it comes right down to it. Each character believes in what they are doing and each is passionate about it. Bottom line, I enjoyed this one.
4 reviews
April 10, 2021
The story happens several places in the world, however it is easy to follow the theme. Oil is central and the politics around it and Jeff Nesbit seems to know a lot of it. A very interesting and exiting book.
Profile Image for Nicole Elliott.
138 reviews3 followers
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August 5, 2024
Far different than my usual book fare of historical romantic novels and helpful non-fiction Christian books on being a wife and parent-at first I was unsure how I would feel about sinking my teeth into a political novel–particularly one with the title Oil and that was 360 pages long! However, now I’m glad that I was sent this book to review!

I found the book to be one that you had to focus on while reading–this is no light and fluffy storyline that you can just waltz through. With intricate stories lines that weave in and out of each other and deeply developed characters you definitely need to pay attention or you’ll get lost. Other than that, however, I found the story to be extremely interesting, even for me, and it kept me turning the pages. Even with how huge it is I was able to finish it off quickly–going faster as I neared the end to find out what was going to happen! I’ll warn you though-it ends in a cliff hanger! I enjoyed it to the point that I will definitely want to read the next book to find out what is going to happen. I loved the ever so subtle hints of Christianity woven throughout the book, and the way it portrayed all the different characters and their many facets. This is a great read, even if it is not your usual genre!
Profile Image for Victor Gentile.
2,035 reviews64 followers
September 9, 2012
Jeff Nesbit in his new book, “Oil” Book Two in the Principalities and Powers series published by Guideposts gives us another adventure with Nash Lee.

From the back cover: Global powers race to exploit the chaos that has erupted overnight.

Terrorist attacks against three of the world’s largest oil fields in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq threaten to cripple the fragile global economy. Clues link to a rogue, nuclear-armed country and a radical Sunni group, but not all are convinced they’re the perpetrators. Who had something to gain? All roads seem to lead to Israel, where Russia and America are locked in a titanic struggle over Israel’s large, underdeveloped oil shale reserves.

Nash Lee, entrepreneur of an online global network, is thrust into the tumultuous politics of the powerful Saudi kingdom when he uncovers information about a deadly plot to spark dissension among the Arab nation-states. As the Arab Spring revolts push the entire planet to the brink of war, news of the emergence of the Twelfth Imam changes everything.

Plunge into the heart of the oil conflicts that pit nation against nation in the Middle East–and threaten to alter the balance of power forever.

Buckle up for another wild ride with Nash Lee as, this time, his adventures take us to the Middle East. Nash now has to deal with the heads of government to stave off a global financial crisis over the oil and prevent nuclear war. Mr. Nesbit is brilliant is defining his characters and the more defined they are the more we like them and the more we like them the more we identify with what they are doing. Once the action gets going Mr. Nesbit revs up the thriller quotient considerably which will have you reading and flipping pages as fast as you can. This book is a suspense thriller as Nash’s life is in serious danger practically from the beginning. Don’t start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down or stop thinking about it. I recommend this book highly and am greatly looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Guideposts. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Profile Image for Kathleen (Kat) Smith.
1,613 reviews92 followers
March 2, 2012
Just what do you think would happen if all the countries that supply us with oil, suddenly found their supplies at risk? There has been talk lately of the recent natural gas find in Israel and some believe that oil may lie within that country as well. If it were in fact true, Israel would move to the top of the super power list for supplying not only natural gas but oil as well.

However, if that were to happen then the countries that have become Israel's biggest enemies would really find ways to destroy and wipe her off the face of the map as so many countries have already stated their threats.

Now in the latest novel by Jeff Nesbit, Oil: A Novel, set this up as the underlying premise of this story. Iran, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and China have a vital stake in trying to vie for the top position as an oil supplier to the world. The main problem with finding oil has been its difficult extraction for the shale in which it is located. Environmentalists want to make sure that the land and resources are not harmed and when a process is discovered that will allow that to happen, everyone wants a piece of the shale.

Now power begins to shift by those that want it the most and using the legends from the Middle East of the prophecy regarding the Twelfth Imam and the Mahdi, they will make sure that all signs point to the rise of these figures and shift the balance of power in the Middle East forever. Now whatever peace has been achieved up to this point will now be placed on the table and what role will Israel have in it all?

I received this book compliments of Summerside Press and Guideposts for my honest review. Even though the story takes awhile to develop you eventually understand why it's necessary when you see how detailed the process is by the climax of the book. There are many players involved in making this storyline happen and I think Jeff Nesbit does a wonderful job at building up his characters. It appears that a sequel is forthcoming as the book does leave the reader at a bit of a cliff hanger ending and things are not quite resolved. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and look forward to any future books that Jeff will breath life into. For those that love a bit of mystery and suspense with potential current world events then this one is perfect for you.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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