The Prize - The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power [4 VHS]

The most significant historic milestones in Yergin's book are skillfully captured in this production, yet it leaves the most enthusiastic audience craving more details. The format of presenting storylines centered around individuals (e.g., Rockefeller, Deterding, Gulbenkian, Mattei, etc.) rather than giving history via strict chronology requires some jumping in and out of events time-wise, particularly around WWII. This causes a bit of confusion, but this can be resolved easily by referring to the timeline provided in the book's appendix. Overall, I personally would prefer the book and this production to emphasize oil pricing more, especially given the current climate of price volatility and the introduction of oil as an asset class over the past decade -- but I concede this complex topic could quickly dampen an otherwise intriguing and colorful presentation.

its a true enuff story of the oil industry , just wished that yergin wud put out a sequel to it so it wud be brought-upto date.., cudnt hurt if it were on dvd too.., but since vhs was all that was available - i'm satisfied with my purchase..

This is wonderful historical report by the oil patch by the great author Daniel Yergin. See it in VHS or DVD if available. This is an accurate portrayal of one of the worlds great stories.

These tapes were of great quality. I had a copy years ago and lost them in a move from one city to another. I was great to get copies that were like new.

Excellent series. Too bad its not available on DVD

It is a shame there aren't more reviews for this series. Hopefully it will be transferred to DVD with a lower price for more people to watch. I was fortunate to check them out at my local library.I was motivated to watch this after watching the more recent Commanding Heights series on DVD also by Daniel Yergin.The scope of this series is very impressive. Recent and archival footage weave a very powerful narrative on nearly the entire history, worldwide scope, and impact of the massive oil industry. Positive and negative points are noted. The interviews with so many influential industry veterans is astouding - both corporate and government. The current Iraq occupation only emphasizes why more people should watch this for a better understanding that we can't get something for nothing.I have visited myself the natural gas reserves of Qatar, the oil fields and refineries of East Texas - including Spindletop where oil was first discovered in Texas, and the strip coal mines of Gilette, Wyoming among other places. Living in Southern California for 6 years too, I am fully aware of the intoxication and fallacies/price of the car-intensive lifestyle. Which was excellently summed up in the very last line when the driver of a Porsche expresses concern for the air quality, etc...but then notes how it goes away once he steps on the pedal. ALso, when the former geologist, now with Greenpeace, talks about the mental "rush/high" from searching out oil but noting that it is a fallacy too once the true cost is realized. The Petersen auto museum in Los Angeles is also a very good place to see how the auto-lifestyle rose up.This series brings incredible depth to my existing knowledge base for a small investment in time.Improvements to this series could have been more exploration of the price of the car-intensive lifestyle as it has not only to do with the environment (Which it covers well, but only touching the surface), but also personal health - such as obesity / weight control, and diminished social interaction - with all of it's attendant consequences. There is a good reason why Americans are the fattest people in the world - the car-intensive lifestyle is a big part of this.Also better completing the series would have been a better discussion on how to move away from the oil-intensive economy. The main argument seems to be on tougher environment and auto emission regulations and improved technology (The electric car never has done much - as hinted at in the final episode as a possible "cure." Even fuel cells aren't the panacea).Actually, the answer is a bit more straightforward - price oil at it's true price - add in the military cost of securing it among others and the price of freeways - indirect subsidies, (Let truer market forces play out - hmmm...Commanding Heights?), redesigning our cities, and incorporating mass transit - such as in Europe and Asia - Japan and Singapore would be shining examples. Also by reintroducing simple technology like the bicycle - as used in Netherlands and Denmark. If we did this, maybe we wouldn't need to waste our time going to Bally's or 24 Hour Fitness.Perhaps these aspects are better discussed in another documentary. But the door for this was opened once the author decided to discuss it in the last 2 chapters.Cars are great - but like many things in life - it is over-reliance on one way of thinking that has gotten us in trouble. Which is the DANGER of a series like this, it looks at everything through the single lens of oil demand and procurement as an explanation for the modern world.In summary, like the Commanding Heights series, I feel Daniel Yergin has done an excellent job on a very expansive subject, he has carried the story a VERY long distance - but some more insight would complete the series and bring it closer to "connecting the last mile." Hopefully another author can connect this last mile. 5 stars nevertheless.

I read this book when it first came out and I was a much younger man. I later viewed the mini-series on PBS. It has to be one of the finest documentaries I've ever seen (and read). This work forever changed my view and dramatically deepened my understanding of the politics, history and the intentional or forced dependence of oil. It really should be shown to students, I believe it would impact them and give them a multifaceted view of the entire subject as it relates to today's world, as it did for me. Every person I've met that has ever seen the documentary or read the book, says similar to what I've said above. Yes, it's THAT good.Lastly, I concur with many reviewers and am saddened to see that it has not been transferred to DVD. PBS should consider re-airing it and offering it in DVD form as I believe it could also be a good performing product related revenue stream.Thanks Amazon for providing such a dependable and great place to find such classics!

The Prize will change the way you look at the world. Every American should read this book, but unfortunately not many of us have the time or the inclination to power through its 700+ pages. It is at once the most interesting and the most boring book ever written on oil and power. The Prize thoroughly explains the events and motivations that lead to current crises. That being said, we would love to watch the mini-series and see the historical footage. Unfortunately we do not have a VCR. It's 2011; I need to watch this on DVD. This is a timeless piece of work and it should be available on DVD, now more than ever!