🌍 Book Review: Exxon: The Road Not Taken by Neela Banerjee, John H. Cushman Jr., and David Hasemyer
A revelatory investigation into how one of the world’s largest oil companies helped pioneer climate science—then chose denial over disclosure.
Published as a Kindle Single by InsideClimate News, Exxon: The Road Not Taken is a powerful piece of investigative journalism that traces Exxon’s internal climate research from the late 1970s through the 1980s. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.19/5 from over 70 readers, the book is praised for its clarity, depth, and historical significance.
🧠 Overview & Themes
This 92-page exposé reveals that:
- Exxon scientists were among the first to understand the risks of fossil fuel emissions on global climate systems.
- The company invested in cutting-edge research, including atmospheric modeling and carbon tracking.
- By the late 1980s, Exxon had enough internal evidence to acknowledge the threat of climate change.
- Instead of sharing its findings, Exxon pivoted toward climate denial, funding campaigns that cast doubt on the very science it helped develop.
The authors base their reporting on internal company documents, interviews with former employees, and archival evidence, much of which had never been publicly seen before.
💬 Why Readers Recommend It
- Investigative Depth: The reporting is meticulous, drawing from primary sources and insider testimony.
- Historical Clarity: It connects the dots between early climate science and modern misinformation.
- Moral Urgency: The book raises ethical questions about corporate responsibility and public trust.
- Compact Format: Despite its brevity, it delivers a comprehensive and impactful narrative.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers felt the story could benefit from more global context, especially regarding other oil companies.
- The tone is journalistic, not polemical—those seeking emotional storytelling may find it restrained.
- A few reviews noted that it’s more exposé than narrative, focusing on facts over character-driven drama.
📣 Reviewer Highlights
“Exxon conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and then pivoted to work at the forefront of climate denial, manufacturing doubt about the scientific consensus that its own scientists had confirmed.” — InsideClimate News
“A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, corporate power, and environmental policy.” — Goodreads reviewer
🏁 Final Verdict
Exxon: The Road Not Taken is a sobering, fact-rich account of how a corporate giant chose profit over planetary health. If you’re interested in climate history, corporate ethics, or investigative journalism, this Kindle Single offers a compelling and essential read.
