The Frackers

The Outrageous Inside Story of the New Billionaire Wildcatters

By: Gregory Zuckerman

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 15 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Everyone knew it was crazy to try to extract oil and natural gas buried in shale rock deep below the ground. Everyone, that is, except a few reckless wildcatters - who risked their careers to prove the world wrong. Things looked grim for American energy in 2006. Oil production was in steep decline and natural gas was hard to find. The Iraq War threatened the nation’s already tenuous relations with the Middle East. China was rapidly industrializing and competing for resources. Major oil companies had just about given up on new discoveries on U.S. soil, and a new energy crisis seemed likely.

But a handful of men believed everything was about to change. Far from the limelight, Aubrey McClendon, Harold Hamm, Mark Papa, and other wildcatters were determined to tap massive deposits of oil and gas that Exxon, Chevron, and other giants had dismissed as a waste of time. By experimenting with hydraulic fracturing through extremely dense shale - a process now known as fracking - the wildcatters started a revolution. In just a few years, they solved America’s dependence on imported energy, triggered a global environmental controversy - and made and lost astonishing fortunes.

No one understands these men better than the award-winning Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman. His exclusive access enabled him to get close to the frackers and chronicle the untold story of how they transformed the nation and the world. The result is a dramatic stretching from the barren fields of North Dakota and the rolling hills of northeastern Pennsylvania to cluttered pickup trucks in Texas and tense Wall Street boardrooms.

Activists argue that the same methods that are creating so much new energy are also harming our water supply and threatening environmental chaos. The Frackers tells the story of the angry opposition unleashed by this revolution and explores just how dangerous fracking really is.

©2013 Gregory Zuckerman (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

I work in the industry and found it helpful

I work in North Dakota as a mechanic on frac equipment on frac locations. I found this book to be very interesting and insightful. My only complaint is that the narrator mispronounced the name of the company that I work for

Interesting story. I learned a lot. I recommend.

I found the book interesting. It's an industry with which I am not familiar, though I recall some of the company names from years past. I found the technology, industry cyclicality, and entrepreneurial stories all interesting and well balanced. Sean Pratt is a good narrator for this type of book. I think the book is worth the read if you are at all interested in the oil and gas industry, technology, or just looking to expand your general knowledge.

Well written history of the Shale Gale

There’s not enough books on audible covering the recent history in the oil patch. This book gives an excellent account of the recent changes in how America obtains oil and gas from previously untapped plays.

Exceptional

Enjoyed it completely. A ride through time for we who are in the industry. Exceptional.

I really enjoyed it!

A great story about the oil and gas boom in the USA starting in the 80's

Informative

Excellent source for those of us who want to learn more about the procedure and the process of extracting oil from shale.

America's energy heros

If you could sum up The Frackers in three words, what would they be?

The history of Men who too huge risks and made a fortune in the energy business. These men all built there business when others told them they were crazy, they had no help from Government, THEY DID IT ON THERE OWN , THE BUILT IT THEMSELVES, Some of these men lost huge fortunes and went broke along the way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aubrey Mc Clintock

There is no 'k' in fracing.

Fracing is short for Fracturing. Notice there is no 'k'. Not sure where the media got this from. Book is a good 'read' and presents both sides of the fracing controversy. Book is accurate that they media blew it way out of proportion and because of public relations, the industry largely ignores concerns. Great history of the rise and fall of the pioneers in the industry.

Amazing book

One of the most amazing stories I’ve ever heard. This book has it all! I highly recommend this book for everyone, it reallis a great story and some of the greatest minds of our time.

The controversy

Very interesting for those who don't know the history and the reason for fracking of oil wells. Kind of long in places but covers a long span of time and many different people in the oil industry over the years. Was interesting.