Internal Combustion

Internal Combustion traces the history of energy monopolies and transportation technology from the 1800s through modern times. The book examines how corporate and political interests shaped the development and adoption of different fuel sources and engines. Author Edwin Black investigates the actions of major automotive and energy companies as they competed to dominate transportation markets. Through extensive research and documentation, he reveals the strategic decisions and power dynamics that influenced which technologies succeeded or failed. The narrative spans from early experiments with electric vehicles to the rise of gasoline engines, following key figures in industry and government along the way. Black explores alternative energy solutions that existed throughout history and the forces that determined their fates. This examination of power, innovation, and vested interests raises questions about how technological choices impact society and the environment. The book challenges assumptions about why certain technologies prevail while highlighting patterns in how industries maintain control over energy resources.

Readers view Internal Combustion as a detailed but dense examination of energy monopolies and corruption. The book maintains a 3.9/5 rating on Goodreads and 4.1/5 on Amazon across 100+ reviews. Readers appreciated: - Thorough research and documentation - Clear connections between historical events and current energy issues - Exposure of corporate misconduct in the automotive/energy industries Common criticisms: - Overwhelming amount of detail and statistics - Repetitive writing style - Takes too long to reach modern-day implications Multiple reviewers noted the book changed their perspective on energy policy, with one Amazon reviewer stating it "connects dots I never knew existed." However, several Goodreads reviews mentioned struggling to finish due to the "encyclopedic" writing style. Some readers found the tone too conspiratorial, with one calling it "unnecessarily dramatic." Others praised Black's investigative approach, with a reviewer noting "every claim is meticulously sourced."

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🔧 Edwin Black spent five years conducting research for this book, examining more than 40,000 documents from 50 different archival collections worldwide. 🚗 The book reveals how General Motors secretly collaborated with Nazi Germany during WWII, manufacturing military vehicles and aircraft parts while publicly claiming neutrality. ⛽ The author traces how major oil companies and auto manufacturers systematically dismantled electric transit systems in 40 American cities to promote gasoline-powered vehicles. 📚 Internal Combustion was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and won the Green Globe Award for environmental reporting. 🌍 The research exposed how Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil) continued trading with Nazi Germany through neutral countries even after the US entered WWII, leading to Congressional investigations.