About the Book: Embargo: How the 1973 Oil Crisis Changed the World
We have been here before.
The king of Saudi Arabia had warned the Americans repeatedly: if you do not
treat us with respect, we will cut off your oil. For years, nobody believed him.
On 5 October 1973, he made good on his threat.
The consequences were immediate. In America, fuel rationing and a 55mph
emergency speed limit couldnt stop the lights of Times Square flickering out by
Christmas. Across Europe, governments scrambled for secret supplies of oil;
Britains chancellor flew to St Moritz to interrupt the Shah of