Oil! by Upton Sinclair is a powerful novel exploring the American oil industry’s rise and its corrupting influence on wealth, power, and morality. Set in early 20th-century California, the story follows James Arnold Sr., an ambitious oilman, and his idealistic son, Bunny, whose values clash with his father’s ruthless capitalism. As Bunny becomes aware of social injustice, labor exploitation, and corporate greed, he embraces progressive causes and workers’ rights. Inspired by the infamous Teapot Dome scandal, the novel blends family drama, political intrigue, and social critique. A gripping exposé of greed and idealism, Oil! reveals Sinclair’s passionate call for economic justice and moral integrity in an era of unchecked industrialism.
