Oil Notes: A Narrative

by Rick Bass

Book Overview

Rick Bass brings a lyric imagination to the oil geologist's craft. Digging for oil is a way of digging deep into human experience, a subterranean exploration of self. And nothing escapes this writer's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395486750
• ISBN13: 9780395486757
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Geologists Relates

Oddly enough, I was far from home doing field work in North Georgia when I found Oil Notes in a little bookstore. I am a geologist. However, unlike Rick Bass my job was to look for fresh drinking water, not oil. I found time to read his book between logging boreholes and setting wells. By the time I was finished I (with the book) I had a renewed interest and spirit in my profession and in the environment around me. Rick Bass found a way to express in words, the excitement and passions associated with being a field geologist, environmentalist and a man in love.Oil Notes is a fantastic book, and Rick Bass is an equally outstanding author. I have since read everyone of his books. He vividly defines his feelings and passions in everything he writes about, be it drilling for oil or studing wolves.

Yong man coming of age in the working life

Oil notes struck me not so much as a description of a mans first job and all it entails, but rather a young man beginning his adult life who was open to any and evry new expieriene life through at him. His optimism shown through in that he loved his work and he always felt something better was just around the corner. Underneath it all was also a man coming to grips with how to handle relationships, both personal and professional. He showed his failings as well as his triumhs. To me it is an adult version of a seperate peace. This is a writer that I will read for a long time because as he ages he will describe lifes changes with the same brilliance he has described his lifes beginning.

I almost missed out...

...on reading one of my new favorite books, Oil Notes. I was not interested in reading a book about oil. Fortunately, after much convincing, I read the book and loved it. It is a beautiful book about Bass's passion for life, the outdoors and geology. It is my favorite Rick Bass book by far, and it has a permanent place on my book shelf. Don't make the mistake that I almost did...buy it, borrow it or whatever...Just don't miss out on this wonderful book.

Try the audiotape as well

I both read the book and listened to the audiotape. I think the cadence of Bass' voice (he reads his own material) really enhances Oil Notes. This is a wonderful book for those who have enjoyed his later works.

Wonderful uplifting reminder of the simple things in life

Geologist and writer Rick Bass muses about time and natural processes, both human and geological, creating a metaphorical experience for the reader. In his journal, he tells each anecdote with lyrical descriptions, but then goes one step beyond with some illumination about love, living, human beings, even existence itself. At this point, the body of the text becomes a secondary experience as the reader begins to feel the truth in his 'illuminations.' Many entries make the reader laugh out loud while others will instill the deep impulse to go hug a loved one. This book will make anybody remember how lovely life really is.