Discover the story of Oil! with this striking collector's edition from Union Square & Co.'s Signature Editions series! The classic texts that shaped our culture feature exclusive cover art by distinguished artist Malika Favre. Her bold, graphic style gives each classic literature book a small masterpiece for a jacket. Collect the set or prize this Oil! special edition as your showpiece literary classic. Oil! follows James Arnold Ross and his son, James Arnold Ross Jr., as they do whatever it takes to run their very own oil well. Ross's son--nicknamed Bunny--provides an idealistic counterpoint to his father's avaricious dealings. Their story intertwines with that of Eli Watkins, a revivalist preacher who seeks spiritual power. As the stories of the Ross and Watkins families intertwine, the struggle between the material and the spiritual sharpens. Literary history and meaning: Oil!, by Upton Sinclair, was first published in 1927. Set in California during the early twentieth century, the novel tells the story of the oil industry's rise to power and its impact on society, politics, and the environment. It is a searing indictment of capitalism and corporate greed, echoing Sinclair's earlier works, such as The Jungle. Its importance as a classic literature work lies in its unflinching portrayal of the human cost of industrialization and its exploration of themes such as corruption, social justice, and the struggle for economic equality. Its relevance today is evident in its commentary on the ongoing tensions between industry and the environment, as well as its exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding unchecked corporate power and wealth inequality. Editorial Reviews Sinclair's 1927 novel did for California's oil industry what The Jungle did for Chicago's meat-packing factories. The plot follows the clash between an oil developer and his son. Typical of Sinclair, there are undertones here of socialism and sympathy for the common working stiff. Though the book is not out of print, this is the only paperback currently available. - Library Journal A classic tale of greed and corruption"--Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation "[Oil! is] probably his second best book and certainly his most readable."--The New Yorker "Anderson's film is a true American saga--one that rivals Giant and Citizen Kane in our popular lore as origin stories about how we came to be the people we are... Daniel Day-Lewis is at his brilliant best as the story's Daniel Plainview, a man whose humanity diminishes as his fortunes increase."--Variety - From the Publisher