The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich
, subject: Marc Rich, commodities trading, oil spot market, Glencore origins
A biography of Marc Rich that connects oil trading innovation with secrecy, embargoed-regime deals, and the origins of Glencore.
About the book
Ammann reconstructs Marc Rich's commodities career, role in developing the oil spot market, dealings with sanctioned states, flight from U.S. charges, and the trading firm that became Glencore.
Why read it
Best if you want a biography about commodities trading where market invention, secrecy, political risk, and moral compromise all sit inside one life story.
Key themes
- Inventing the oil spot market
- Trading across forbidden lines
- Secrecy and fugitive life
Evidence and original sources
Near the close of the episode, David directly recommends the book, noting there is much more to the story than he could cover.
- Nathan Rothschild (Rothschild Family Dynasty) — David points to his earlier Marc Rich biography, The King of Oil, in the archive while surveying oil fortunes and industry history.
- The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich — David identifies The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich as the book behind this episode and builds the entire episode around summarizing it.
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