Out of the Channel: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound

by John Keeble, Natalie Fobes (Photographer)

Examines the Valdez oil spill in Alaska and efforts to alleviate the damage

363 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[Mike Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a journalist, I was impressed by the guy's thorough reporting. He talked to EVERYONE. Except it was a little too objective and my short attention span had trouble after a while.

[Amanda Fredericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author spent months interviewing different communities affected immediately after the spill and experienced firsthand the effects of the oil spill economically, environmentally, physically, and mentally on the community. The book is a first hand account of who he interviewed and what he saw. I was really impressed by how each community took control of their own fate once they realized that Exxon was basically useless. I wish this book would have included a bit more environmental policy and the regulators perspectives but overall a very insightful and well written book.

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moral of the story? Exxon bad, locals good. Unless you throw money at the locals, then they are bad, too.

I was impressed that Bush Sr. and the Congress of 1990 passed the Oil Pollution Act because of this. It heavily increased liability for corporations responsible for environmental disasters.

It seems that the winner in this situation, if there was one, was the Native Alaskans (Eyak tribe) who sort of refound themselves in fighting corporatism during this time.

[Rob Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a boots on the ground view of the Exxon Valdez catastrophe /crime, this is it.