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edgecy's review
2.0
Pretty decent book, the author started the book with an in-depth discussion of the shale revolution in the US as well as the world. I especially enjoyed the shale discussion because he helped dispel a lot of misinformation currently floating out there. Some of the topics he touched on were global energy chain, shale technologies, and a brief history of the shale revolution.
The author then moved on to a series of hypothetical wars and conflicts that he deem likely as a result of the shale revolution. Unfortunately, it is here when he starts to lose me. The series of conflicts and wars he outlined all predicated on one simple fact: the US disengagement from the wider world because we are no longer reliant on external sources for energy security. Region after region start spiraling into chaos with seemingly no one (read: US) willing to stop the chaos.
Taken at face value, nothing the author wrote was wrong, but if the world was to devolve in the way he described it, scores of nations would have had to act out of their character, with the most obvious one being the United States. In my opinion, the fundamental flaw in the author's argument was that the US is (almost) driven solely by energy needs, and that having our energy needs met, we would no longer have any reason to intervene in global affairs. No nations act solely to meet energy needs, especially not the US. If our energy needs are met, we can rest knowing that other national security concerns will bubble to the surface, forcing/encouraging us to act in one way or another. As written, because of the US's inaction, a certain region will flame up in conflict, and piece by piece in domino-fashion, the rest of the world is engulfed in flames. That view I find problematic and ultimately prevent me from rating it any higher.
For those that are looking for a quick, yet informative, discussion on shale, this book should serve that purpose nicely; but for those looking for a slightly more "realistic" take on how shale could impact US foreign policy and the larger global implication... this book could serve as a good "what-if" read, but not much beyond that.
The author then moved on to a series of hypothetical wars and conflicts that he deem likely as a result of the shale revolution. Unfortunately, it is here when he starts to lose me. The series of conflicts and wars he outlined all predicated on one simple fact: the US disengagement from the wider world because we are no longer reliant on external sources for energy security. Region after region start spiraling into chaos with seemingly no one (read: US) willing to stop the chaos.
Taken at face value, nothing the author wrote was wrong, but if the world was to devolve in the way he described it, scores of nations would have had to act out of their character, with the most obvious one being the United States. In my opinion, the fundamental flaw in the author's argument was that the US is (almost) driven solely by energy needs, and that having our energy needs met, we would no longer have any reason to intervene in global affairs. No nations act solely to meet energy needs, especially not the US. If our energy needs are met, we can rest knowing that other national security concerns will bubble to the surface, forcing/encouraging us to act in one way or another. As written, because of the US's inaction, a certain region will flame up in conflict, and piece by piece in domino-fashion, the rest of the world is engulfed in flames. That view I find problematic and ultimately prevent me from rating it any higher.
For those that are looking for a quick, yet informative, discussion on shale, this book should serve that purpose nicely; but for those looking for a slightly more "realistic" take on how shale could impact US foreign policy and the larger global implication... this book could serve as a good "what-if" read, but not much beyond that.
fritz_sands's review against another edition
5.0
This is mostly a specialized book on the path to American oil independence through oil shale.
xfajardo's review against another edition
4.0
Zeihan provides an interesting and rather broad take on the current state of geopolitics as well as an informed guess on where it might go to.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
The Unending Grasp For Power
This was a captivating read that delved into the world of energy, politics, and economics. Zeihan did an excellent job of thoroughly researching and presenting his findings in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.
One of the most significant takeaways from the book is how the shale revolution has impacted the global balance of power, and how it has caused America to become less reliant on foreign energy sources. This shift in energy dependence has far-reaching implications that Zeihan explores in great detail, including the impact on the U.S. military and its involvement in foreign policy.
Despite its heavy subject matter, the book was the perfect length and kept me engaged throughout. It's a must-read for anyone interested in foreign policy and economics, and I highly recommend it.
Zeihan's insights are important and thought-provoking, and will leave readers with a new understanding of the complex relationships that shape our world.
Overall, I suggest this to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the geopolitical landscape - you should pick up a copy!
3.8/5
This was a captivating read that delved into the world of energy, politics, and economics. Zeihan did an excellent job of thoroughly researching and presenting his findings in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.
One of the most significant takeaways from the book is how the shale revolution has impacted the global balance of power, and how it has caused America to become less reliant on foreign energy sources. This shift in energy dependence has far-reaching implications that Zeihan explores in great detail, including the impact on the U.S. military and its involvement in foreign policy.
Despite its heavy subject matter, the book was the perfect length and kept me engaged throughout. It's a must-read for anyone interested in foreign policy and economics, and I highly recommend it.
Zeihan's insights are important and thought-provoking, and will leave readers with a new understanding of the complex relationships that shape our world.
Overall, I suggest this to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the geopolitical landscape - you should pick up a copy!
3.8/5
reinhardt's review against another edition
4.0
Some fantastic information on shale production. Details on how its found, drilled, extracted. The huge surge in shale production is close to miraculous. And the natural gas spin-off is a boon for US electricity production. By natural gas replacing coal in electricity generation, shale production has done much more to reduce greenhouse gases than all the wind and solar installations. Regardless of the Green Hype, oil is not going anywhere for a long time.
The book also highlights the absolutely critical nature of oil and the associated natural gas. It has started wars in the past and Peter Zeihan predicts future wars triggered by oil. Oil is more important than food. Without oil, no food is harvested or transported to hungry people. And of course, without oil, militaries are relegated to civil war status with horses and buggy. Oil is the single most important commodity in the globe.
Interlinked with shale oil is America's place as the worlds de facto policeman. The current global status is Pax Americana. It is US military presence that keeps global trade lines open. With US becoming energy independent, Americans will become less and less willing to pay for global security. Of course, Americans benefit from global security, but as the US is much less dependent on export to drive its economy, safe passage on oceans is a lower priority than it is for major exporting counties like China.
Once the US pulls back from securing the world's oceans, Zeihan predicts wars are inevitable in Asia and Russia. He plays our extensive scenarios on how these would play out. Almost certainly, they won't play out in that way, but it's a useful exercise to game out a plausible outline.
Particularly with Russia, it seems clear they want to extend their sphere of influence to Ukraine, Byelorussia and the Baltics. The author suggests this will trigger the Europeans to go to war with the Russians. I find that hard to believe. European armies are woefully inept and the populations are so averse to military action they make Chamberlain look like a crazed warmonger. It seems more likey the Germans will acquiesce to whatever the Russians demand.
The book also highlights the unique geographical advantages of the US. Abundant fertile land, navigable rivers, huge ocean buffers that provide impenetrable barriers against military invasion, and of course huge oil deposits. Demographics are another factor. US has better demographics that the Chinese, Japanese or Eurpoean. They factor will maintain the US hegemonic postion.
All these factors contribute to America's inward turn. If Peter is right that no matter the politics of the White House, Americans will withdraw from the world (as it has before), then the current global Pax American will fade into regional conflicts with the biggest losers being China and Africa.
Another factor this book highlights the abundant cash the Saudi's are sitting on. They can last decades with deficits to subside their populus and undermining Iran - their arch enemy. This book helps explain some of the recent Saudi muscle-flexing, against enemies foreign and domestic. And the Saudi price war is targetted more at the Iranians than anyone else.
Overall, a lot of great information in this book, but its a bit too long and too long on hypothetical. I think a better focus would have been on the history, which is inevitably repeated.
The book also highlights the absolutely critical nature of oil and the associated natural gas. It has started wars in the past and Peter Zeihan predicts future wars triggered by oil. Oil is more important than food. Without oil, no food is harvested or transported to hungry people. And of course, without oil, militaries are relegated to civil war status with horses and buggy. Oil is the single most important commodity in the globe.
Interlinked with shale oil is America's place as the worlds de facto policeman. The current global status is Pax Americana. It is US military presence that keeps global trade lines open. With US becoming energy independent, Americans will become less and less willing to pay for global security. Of course, Americans benefit from global security, but as the US is much less dependent on export to drive its economy, safe passage on oceans is a lower priority than it is for major exporting counties like China.
Once the US pulls back from securing the world's oceans, Zeihan predicts wars are inevitable in Asia and Russia. He plays our extensive scenarios on how these would play out. Almost certainly, they won't play out in that way, but it's a useful exercise to game out a plausible outline.
Particularly with Russia, it seems clear they want to extend their sphere of influence to Ukraine, Byelorussia and the Baltics. The author suggests this will trigger the Europeans to go to war with the Russians. I find that hard to believe. European armies are woefully inept and the populations are so averse to military action they make Chamberlain look like a crazed warmonger. It seems more likey the Germans will acquiesce to whatever the Russians demand.
The book also highlights the unique geographical advantages of the US. Abundant fertile land, navigable rivers, huge ocean buffers that provide impenetrable barriers against military invasion, and of course huge oil deposits. Demographics are another factor. US has better demographics that the Chinese, Japanese or Eurpoean. They factor will maintain the US hegemonic postion.
All these factors contribute to America's inward turn. If Peter is right that no matter the politics of the White House, Americans will withdraw from the world (as it has before), then the current global Pax American will fade into regional conflicts with the biggest losers being China and Africa.
Another factor this book highlights the abundant cash the Saudi's are sitting on. They can last decades with deficits to subside their populus and undermining Iran - their arch enemy. This book helps explain some of the recent Saudi muscle-flexing, against enemies foreign and domestic. And the Saudi price war is targetted more at the Iranians than anyone else.
Overall, a lot of great information in this book, but its a bit too long and too long on hypothetical. I think a better focus would have been on the history, which is inevitably repeated.
sophiajkessler's review against another edition
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
andrueb's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars, if you take it with a large grain of salt.
Zeihan writes about the world through the lens of demography, geography, and resource/energy distribution. How is China's economy likely to progress as the "One Child" generation comes of age? What advantages does America's Mississippi River have compared to all other major global waterways? How does the modern shale/"fracking" industry work, and how is this affecting American foreign policy?
"The Absent Superpower" is like meeting your super smart friend, 5 beers in, so you can hear his well informed hot takes on the world order. It's not a book for those looking for academic precision. If you accept it as this and are willing to accept some ideas while passing on others, this is the geopolitics book for you. Other people hate Zeihan for this reason. I get it. It just works for me.
"The Absent Superpower" is an update of Zeihan's previous "The Accidental Superpower". In both books he lays out his argument about America's natural preeminence - for reasons that have nothing to do with its culture, politics, founding, etc. This time, Z leads with a deep dive on the American shale oil industry, and these 60+ pages alone are worth the price of the book.
Here I learned that not all oil refineries can process all grades of oil. Some American oil must be exported because our refineries are optimized for imported oil products. How has the fracking industry evolved over the past decade? Why are the largest international oil corporations NOT the ones driving this industry? Basically, if you're looking for a plunge into "how the world works" re oil and energy, you won't get a more detailed and entertaining introduction anywhere else I'm aware of.
Zeihan's predictions tend to get ever more wacky the farther he gets away from the United States. He predicts that Russia will go to war absurdly specific regions, for example. In other cases, his predictions have proved chillingly accurate, as events in the EU, the White House, and American foreign policy have proven.
Read this book for what it is: a passionate and riveting opinion piece. It will force you to think about world events in a new way. Even if you disagree with half of what you read, you will come out the other side better equipped to understand the world. Not everyone is looking for this kind of book, but I loved the ride.
Zeihan writes about the world through the lens of demography, geography, and resource/energy distribution. How is China's economy likely to progress as the "One Child" generation comes of age? What advantages does America's Mississippi River have compared to all other major global waterways? How does the modern shale/"fracking" industry work, and how is this affecting American foreign policy?
"The Absent Superpower" is like meeting your super smart friend, 5 beers in, so you can hear his well informed hot takes on the world order. It's not a book for those looking for academic precision. If you accept it as this and are willing to accept some ideas while passing on others, this is the geopolitics book for you. Other people hate Zeihan for this reason. I get it. It just works for me.
"The Absent Superpower" is an update of Zeihan's previous "The Accidental Superpower". In both books he lays out his argument about America's natural preeminence - for reasons that have nothing to do with its culture, politics, founding, etc. This time, Z leads with a deep dive on the American shale oil industry, and these 60+ pages alone are worth the price of the book.
Here I learned that not all oil refineries can process all grades of oil. Some American oil must be exported because our refineries are optimized for imported oil products. How has the fracking industry evolved over the past decade? Why are the largest international oil corporations NOT the ones driving this industry? Basically, if you're looking for a plunge into "how the world works" re oil and energy, you won't get a more detailed and entertaining introduction anywhere else I'm aware of.
Zeihan's predictions tend to get ever more wacky the farther he gets away from the United States. He predicts that Russia will go to war absurdly specific regions, for example. In other cases, his predictions have proved chillingly accurate, as events in the EU, the White House, and American foreign policy have proven.
Read this book for what it is: a passionate and riveting opinion piece. It will force you to think about world events in a new way. Even if you disagree with half of what you read, you will come out the other side better equipped to understand the world. Not everyone is looking for this kind of book, but I loved the ride.