Saudi America

The Truth About Fracking and How It's Changing the World

By: Bethany McLean

Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

Bestselling author Bethany McLean reveals the true story of fracking's impact -- on Wall Street, the economy and geopolitics.

The technology of fracking in shale rock -- particularly in the Permian Basin in Texas -- has transformed America into the world's top producer of both oil and natural gas. The U.S. is expected to be "energy independent" and a "net exporter" in less than a decade, a move that will upend global politics, destabilize Saudi Arabia, crush Russia's chokehold over Europe, and finally bolster American power again.

Or Will it?

Investigative journalist and bestselling author Bethany McLean digs deep into the cycles of boom and bust that has plagued the American oil industry for the past decade, from the financial wizardry and mysterious death of fracking pioneer Aubrey McClendon, to the speculators who are betting on America's ascendance and the collapse of OPEC in the great game of geopolitics. McLean finds that fracking is a business built on attracting ever-more gigantic amounts of capital investment, while promises of huge returns have often not borne out. Overeagerness in partaking in a boom can lead to all types of problems and just as she did with the Enron story, in Saudi America McLean points out the reality and the risks of the inflated promises of the fracking boom.

enlightening

Very informative. I comfortably settle with the Charlie Munger philosophy. Read beginning to end and see what you think.

obviously informative but surprisingly interesting

super quick listen the lot of great information that paints a picture I had never seen put together this way before. definitely worth it for economic political and current events reasons

I read everything by Bethany McLean!

Bethany McLean asks the same questions that I want to know the answers to on topics that impact us everyday. She presents the answers to those questions in a way that promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Bethany McLean is Best

Sometimes you’ll buy an audiobook and be thinking “am I broken bc I just can’t pay attention”. This book eliminates that idea and reminds us that the author’s writing ability is what captivates the audience.

Informative

I like a lot of Bethany McLean’s writing and this is one more example of her ability to draw together some lesser-known facts to create a cohesive and instructive narrative.