The Quest

Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World

By: Daniel Yergin

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

This long-awaited successor to Daniel Yergin’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Prize provides an essential, overarching narrative of global energy, the principal engine of geopolitical and economic change.

A master storyteller as well as a leading energy expert, Daniel Yergin continues the riveting story begun in his Pulitzer Prize–winning book, The Prize. In The Quest, Yergin shows us how energy is an engine of global political and economic change and conflict, in a story that spans the energies on which our civilization has been built and the new energies that are competing to replace them.

The Quest tells the inside stories, tackles the tough questions, and reveals surprising insights about coal, electricity, and natural gas. He explains how climate change became a great issue and leads readers through the rebirth of renewable energies, energy independence, and the return of the electric car. Epic in scope and never more timely, The Quest vividly reveals the decisions, technologies, and individuals that are shaping our future.

©2011 Daniel Yergin (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

“It is a cause for celebration that Yergin has returned with his perspective on a very different landscape...[I]t is impossible to think of a better introduction to the essentials of energy in the 21st century. The Quest is...the definitive guide to how we got here.” (The Financial Times)

“A sprawling story richly textured with original material, quirky details and amusing anecdotes...” (Wall Street Journal)

"[An] important book...a valuable primer on the basic issues that define energy today. Yergin is careful in his analysis and never polemical.... Despite that, The Quest makes it clear that energy policy is not on the right course anywhere in the world and that everyone - on the left and the right, in the developed and the developing world - need to rethink strongly held positions." (Fareed Zakaria, The New York Times Book Review)

Expand your Understanding of Energy

The Quest's much grander than merely Oil. It will truly broaden your mind on Energy.

In Depth History of Energy

This book gives a very detailed history of energy, mostly from the industrial revolution until today.
Highly recommend to the Energy nerds out there like myself.

Very educational

Much history of which I was unaware. I enjoyed the synopsis of individuals who made a critical difference. Excellent, impassioned naration.

must reading..

for anyone interested in politics, history, or any aspect of modern society.

This is a great author. I have read “the Prize” at least 3 times and this is as good. It is a great overview of energy. What he has a unique gift for is letting the reader understand the primacy the quest for and acquisition of energy has on everything in our modern life. The book is thorough but fast paced and covers every aspect of energy and provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of both the recent history of the search for and development of energy sources but also a comprehensive understanding of where we are headed. Its also very level headed…I did not get any “political” agenda. Just the facts. There is no “coal is awful, we need to develop all renewable sources” or “oil is wonderful and will last forever”, rather there is continuous crituqes of previously expounded opinions and the reader can draw his/her own conclusions.
Finally the reading is perfect..well paced, not boring, just a great experience.
I could not recommend more highly..a great great book I am sure I will listen to again.

Excellent story

Very intriguing novel on the history of the energy indusrty. well written with a flow that makes it feel like fiction.

Great read

As good as the Prize. Educational and informative. The world willl need oil for some time.

Outstanding history telling

It is impressive how Daniel Yergin
compile all those years of Energy history in a unique book.

A must read for everyone who wants to understand and learn more about how energy is intrinsically in our lives.

Comprehensive, neutral, vivid

Covers all aspects of our modern energy situation--scientific, technological, environmental, political, economic--in a global narrative history that presents every side of every issue in a fair and straightforward way. Full of compelling stories and fascinating facts.

This book is foundational for understanding the global economic and political challenges of the 21st century, because every aspect of our modern way of life depends on reliable and sustainable energy.

my review

Would you listen to The Quest again? Why?

Fascinating and thorough coverage of our energy usage. History, science, politics -- very complete.

Who was your favorite character and why?

NA

Would you be willing to try another one of Robert Petkoff’s performances?

No -- overly dramatic style, very out of synch with the subject matter. Too much like a sensationalistic movie trailer.

Any additional comments?

Excellent book, Worth putting up with the irritating narration.

A must read for any liberal or conservative

if you care about having a deep understanding of one of the biggest issues of your country and the world, energy supply and security, look no further. Phenomenally informative, while remaining phenomenally non-partisan