Oil!

About “Oil!”

Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel Oil! examines the oil industry in Southern California through the lens of the scandals of the Harding administration. The story follows an independent oil developer and his son, exploring themes such as bribery, class conflict, and international competition in the oil sector. The novel features a range of characters, including senators, oil magnates, small investors, a Hollywood film star, and a crusading evangelist. Sinclair uses these figures to highlight the social and political dynamics of the oil industry. The narrative centers on the son's growing sympathy for oilfield workers and socialist organizers, creating tension with his father's more traditional views.