The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters examines the history and power of the world's largest oil companies from the 1950s through the 1970s. These seven major corporations - Exxon, Shell, BP, Gulf, Texaco, Mobil, and Socal - dominated global oil production and distribution for decades. Through extensive research and interviews, Sampson traces how these companies operated as an informal cartel, controlling prices and supply chains across international markets. The book details their complex relationships with governments, their internal cultures, and their responses to political upheavals in oil-producing nations. The narrative follows the gradual erosion of the Sisters' power as state-owned oil companies emerged and OPEC gained influence in the global energy landscape. Sampson documents key events like the 1973 oil crisis and the nationalization of oil resources in various countries. The Seven Sisters reveals the intersection of corporate power, geopolitics, and economic development in the twentieth century. It presents oil as both a source of progress and conflict, shaping modern international relations and the global economy.

Readers report The Seven Sisters offers in-depth historical research about major oil companies, though some find the level of detail overwhelming. The book covers complex industry relationships and power dynamics between companies, governments and oil-producing nations. Readers appreciated: - Thorough investigation into decision-making at top oil firms - Analysis of how oil companies shaped 20th century geopolitics - Clear explanations of complex corporate histories Common criticisms: - Dense with industry minutiae and financial data - Dated content (published 1975) limits current relevance - Corporate focus overshadows environmental/social impacts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (98 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) "Exhaustively researched but requires patience to get through all the details" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record of big oil's influence, though could use an updated edition" - Amazon reviewer

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🛢️ The "Seven Sisters" were the world's most powerful oil companies from the 1940s to the 1970s: Exxon, Shell, BP, Gulf, Texaco, Mobil, and Standard Oil of California (now Chevron). 🌎 Author Anthony Sampson gained unprecedented access to oil company archives and conducted over 500 interviews across the globe to write this comprehensive exposé. ⚡ The book revealed how these companies controlled 85% of the world's oil reserves outside the United States and Soviet Union during their peak. 👑 The term "Seven Sisters" was coined by Italian businessman Enrico Mattei, who was frustrated by the companies' oligopoly and died in a suspicious plane crash in 1962. 📚 Published in 1975, the book became particularly relevant during that decade's oil crisis, helping readers understand why OPEC was able to successfully challenge the Sisters' dominance.