EXTREME CONDITIONS: Big Oil and the Transformation of Alaska

By John Strohmeyer

Book Overview

Pulitzer-winning journalist Strohmeyer (Crisis in Bethlehem, 1986) examines in relentless, devastating detail the wealth of miseries brought to Alaska with the 1967 discovery of oil deposits at Prudhoe Bay. In chronicling oil exploration in the region from post-WW II prestatehood days onward, a number of key figures emerge--from gung-ho state boosters to field engineers whose optimistic prognostications were finally justified, and on to the Native American activists whose vigilance enabled their people to gain a sizable share of the bounty through leases of their land. With the first big strikes came a variety of turf battles, such as a lengthy dispute over the construction of an 800-mile pipeline from the oil fields, or one over the right to dispense enormous state revenues garnered from the crude once it began to flow. Swindles abounded as politicians and businessmen vied for a piece of the action, with corruption also tainting the Native Americans, who experienced for the first time the seductive pleasures of a cash economy. A particularly egregious misuse of oil money occurred in the North Slope municipality of Barrow as millions were siphoned from public- works projects by advisers to the Eskimo mayor in the early 1980's, creating a statewide scandal and prompting litigation that ultimately allowed the worst offenders to go unpunished. Furthermore, the influence of oil interests lulled legislators into a sense of false security regarding supertankers plying Alaska's dangerous waters, so that the disastrous spill from the Exxon Valdez in 1989 was simply an accident waiting to happen. At times overly strident in its crusading tone, but still a damning, vivid study of a state all but undone by wealth and greed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888125209
• ISBN13: 9781888125207
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Publication Consultants
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

The seamy side of Alaska's state government

Strohmeyer discusses the impact of the Alaskan oil boom on its state government and on its aboriginal peoples (Indians and others), covering the 1930s to 1992. There is also a brief 4-page epilogue dated '2003.' As other reviewers have pointed out, Strohmeyer approaches this from a pro-environmentalist, liberal perspective, but he's not a foaming-at-the-mouth leftist. For example, at times he shows empathy for the oil companies, and at times he's highly critical of unions, aboriginal organizations, and municipal governments under aboriginal control. All things considered, it's a well-written, thoughtful, and comprehensive documentation of how oil affected Alaskan politics.The author's theme is that the oil boom caused backroom deals and frivolous spending by the state government. However, any state government has similar dirty linen to hide, and I think Strohmeyer would have found the same anywhere, in both rich and poor states.Three of the 20 chapters are devoted to the 1989 oil spill by the Exxon Valdez, in which Exxon is portrayed as the villain. Yet, Strohmeyer's own description shows that the state government and the Coast Guard made things worse through bureaucratic bungling. What Strohmeyer neglects to mention is that Exxon had been forced to keep the Valdez's captain in place, despite his history of alcoholism, because his 'disability' caused him to be protected under anti-discrimination legislation. Exxon deserves much of the blame for the spill, but there's enough blame for everyone to share, including every Alaskan who has benefited from the oil windfall. Would Alaskans have wanted double-hulled ships even if it meant much lower Permanent Fund payments?There is a paradox here: The essence of political conservatism is that the public sector should be minimal because governments are always inefficient. By documenting how the Alaskan government squandered oil revenue (both political parties must share the blame), Strohmeyer has inadvertently made the conservative case that government should be as minimally involved in society as possible.

Disturbing, but quite factual

Some reviews state that this highlights only the bad things associated with oil exploration in Alaska. This is just not true. The great wealth that came with the oil is accurately displayed - although with this wealth came just as many problems.This is a good look at exploration prior to Prudhoe Bay and the effect of ARCO's big hit on the Slope. Also there is good information on village life and the increasingly important subistence issue. No book on oil in Alaska would be complete without the Exxon Valdez and this is inlcuded.A must read for anyone interested in the history of oil exploration in Alaska!One problem - Mr. Strohmeyer begins the book fairly impartial. Unfortunately he (like the Alaska Daily News) allows himself to get caught up in the moment and DEFINATELY takes sides.

Tells the whole story..... up to '93

Excellent journalism, no apologies for having a reasonable, disgusted and angry point of view. The oil, lumber and fish profiteers are uneasy with this expose'. The truth hurts, slimeballs! As an infrequent visitor to the Great Land for the last 30 years, I have alternately been outraged, amused, and flabbergasted at the idiotic and criminal ruin that "civilization" and "development" has brought. There are too few books like this.

What every congressman should know before opening ANWR

This factual history of what happened after the North Slope was opened for oil drilling should serve as a warning. The greed and poor judgement demonstrated by Oil Corporations, Politicians, and Native governments is truly eye opening. With rising (by design?) gas prices the push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as the Reserves is on. With Babbitt, Stevens and other Alaskan pro drilling people in place in Washington it will be a fight to keep History from repeating itself. Strohmeyer lays it out. Even scarier is the wasteful clear cutting of lands held by the Native Corporations and the Economic support the federal government provides to make it possible. Everyone should read the book and then keep a close eye on the Dept. Of the Interior proposals.