Examining the Impact of ExxonMobil on American Power: A Private Empire

Fernando: Ok

Brazil on Jan 11, 2022

Anuj Peepre: Very informative

India on Mar 24, 2019

Danny Cote: Why is the US Government friend of monarchies like the Saudi, Kuwait, or the UAE? Private empire helps explain the power of ExxonMobil in shaping US policy around the world. If you do not know about “Chavez cash waterfall” (Don’t mess with Texas), or we’re unaware that Lee Raymond, previous ExxonMobil CEO before Rex Tillerson, retired with 398 M$, this book is an eyes opener!

France on Jul 26, 2018

Roy: Un libro che narra le vicende di Exxon prima, ExxonMobil dopo nel periodo post II guerra mondiale.
Gli scenari sono multipli, dalla Nigeria all'Indonesia, fino al Venezuela e a problemi di politiche (e disastri) interni. In generale riflette l'attitudine di questa multinazionale nel risolvere i problemi e allo stesso tempo rimanere al top nel suo settore.

Consigliato.

Italy on Feb 27, 2018

Brian: Avery interesting piece about one of the most successful companies ever.The negative innuendos about Exxon's environmental and safety management process are shallow. Because of that process, Exxon has had the best safety and environmental performance in it's industry over the last 25 years. No other company comes close!! Too bad the writer neither recognized this nor mentioned it.

Canada on Aug 01, 2014

David Forel: The book is principally about the international doings of ExxonMobil (EM) during the leadership of the current and past CEOs, Lee R. Raymond (CEO of EM from 1998 to 2005) and Rex W. Tillerson (CEO of EM since Dr. Raymond retired at the end of 2005).

The story starts with the Exxon Valdez grounding in Alaska in March 1989 and ends with the Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010. Starting with the Exxon Valdez is the author's way of introducing employee Lee Raymond. At that time, as President of Exxon (before the merger with Mobil in 1999), Mr Raymond was the lead for addressing the Exxon Valdez problem.

The book ends by discussing the Deepwater Horizon accident because the book has to end and that's a dramatic event, even though EM was no part of the accident.

The book is relentless in reporting how this international company works anywhere it can reasonably make a profit. Another bold point is how EM avoids engagement with the US government whenever it can avoid it, but also courts US diplomatic intervention when EM needs a way smoothed with a foreign power.

Along the way, we are taught that, to be a viable business, to keep the...

United States on Jun 08, 2014

Mikio Miyaki: How are you doing? ExxonMobil is going to leave from Japan where they have done business for more than 100 years. Tonengeneral is being pressed to reshape it's organization into the one corresponding to the Japanese market. You have to get through raging waves with collected wisdom of you all, and find a secure position in the Japanese oil business circle. It would be challenging but worthwhile job for the future of the company. Recently I found an interesting book, which I recommend you to read, titled "Private Empire" written by Steve Coll. The ExxonMobil merger of twelve years ago forced the Japanese organization of drastic restructuring, it was a good opportunity for us to consider it's survivability though. Other Japanese companies followed our trails without delay. Like "the Quest by Daniel Yergin," this book also pointed out that the review of operation in Japan triggered the merger. Raymond is said to raise the possibility of a minor deal to combine Exxon and Mobil refinery operations in Japan to Noto who replied with "that and other things." Was it because ROCE of Tonen, each of Exxon and Mobil had 25.5% of it's share, could not attain their expectations of more than 20%....

United States on Dec 26, 2012