The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World

The Quest is divided into six sections: The New World of Oil, the first section focuses on developments worldwide in the oil industry following the first Gulf War and the breakup of the Soviet Union. It is noteworthy that The Quest has two chapters devoted to China, the only country to get such treatment in the book, whereas The Prize talked very little about China. The second section, Securing the Supply, covers the ways in which concerns over energy security and scarcity have shaped the world’s economy, policies, and planning. This section tells the story of how shale gas was developed. The Electric Age, the third section, follows electricity’s rise, as well as the risks of nuclear proliferation, hurdles faced in ensuring that “the lights stay on” and the current challenges for fuel choice.

The fourth section, Climate and Carbon, lays out in six chapters the history of climate science from the “discovery” of the atmosphere in the late 18th Century and of the “ice age” in the early 19th century to its current central role in energy policy and debate. New Energies, the fifth section, focuses on the “rebirth of renewables” and the role of energy efficiency. The final section, The Road to the Future describes the evolution of personal mobility and the growing global demand for automobiles. Yergin covers the topics of 3rd and 4th generation biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas vehicles, and what he calls “round two in the race between gasoline and the electric car.” The book concludes with a discussion of the impact of the “globalization of innovation” on future energy supplies.[7]

Reception of The Quest has been generally positive,[8][9] with Asahi Shimbun listing it as a Book of the Year.[10] Praise for the book has predominantly centered on Yergin's coverage of the energy system,[6][11] with The New York Times referring to the book as "necessary reading" and The Economist calling it a "comprehensive guide to the world's great energy needs and dilemmas".[4][5]

Critiques of The Quest most often fall into three main categories.[12] Some critics commented on the book's 800 page length, noting that it was not necessarily for the casual reader and that it felt like several different books in one.[4] Others faulted Yergin for his impartiality and not taking a strong position on subjects such as climate change,[13] although The Wall Street Journal said that the book succumbed to "the conventional alarmist storyline” on climate.[14] Finally, peak oil advocates take strong issue with Yergin’s handling of the subject in the book, particularly the discussion of the founding of the peak theory and the potential for future oil discoveries.[15][16]

• After Words interview with Yergin on The Quest, October 17, 2011