It's been one of my lifelong favorites, and I read it over and over again in full about every five years. More than anything else in my life,"The Complete Sherlock Holmes," with an insightful Introduction by Christopher Morley, influenced me to become a professional journalist and writer.
From time to time, I'll comment here on books I'm reading or have read, under the heading ABOUT BOOKS. With this inaugural book blog, I introduce readers to a book I wrote which was published in 2004 entitled "Alaska Agonistes: The Age of Petroleum - How Big Oil
Bought Alaska." "Agonistes," from the Greek, in this context, means "torn with inner conflict."
It's non-fiction based on my work as a newsman in Alaska over a period of 20 years and beyond. I'll begin here with a detailed description of the book's contents, followed by comments on and reviews of the book by critics and others.
Alaska Agonistes: The Age of Petroleum,
How Big Oil Bought Alaska, by Joe LaRocca,
Professional Press, Chapel Hill, N.C., 460 pps,
“Alaska Agonistes" is an anecdotal history of the modern oil industry in Alaska, the nation's most celebrated and denigrated oil province, and its social, political, environmental and economic
implications. It describes the tumultuous aftermath of the discovery in 1968 on Alaska's North Slope of the largest known oilfield in North America.
The sensational discovery, which shook the oil and financial world in the late 1960s, transformed Alaska from an obscure backwater into an international hotspot that drew armies of oil folks, financiers, news people, authors, tradesmen, technicians, lobbyists, public relations agents, would‑be entrepreneurs, and their colorful cadre of camp followers to the North Country by the tens of thousands.
Within a decade it would more than double Alaska's population, transforming its principal communities from small, sleepy frontier towns into thriving, strip mall‑pocked cities; bring unprecedented affluence to many of its residents and newcomers (and financial ruin to many
others); inflate the annual state budget from about $100 million to more than $6 billion, then gradually shrink it to less than $2 billion, bloating government bureaucracy at the local, state and federal levels; and foster wrenching social, cultural, economic and political change.
The book's broad purpose is to show how the invasion of Alaska by multi‑national oil companies in general, and the intrusion of the trans Alaska oil pipeline in particular has transmuted its social, political, cultural and environmental landscapes and re‑shaped them to conform to the needs, dictates and whims of Big Oil. The book makes the case that Alaska's democratic processes have been virtually taken over by the oil industry to the detriment of self‑government, but, oddly, with the consent of a majority of the governed, a shadow government that corrupts the body politic.
Oil money has also placed Alaskans at odds with most other Americans, both economically and environmentally, because their continued prosperity depends upon upward spiraling prices for consumer energy fuels, and the quest for additional crude oil and natural gas supplies in Alaska (for example, the national controversy over proposals to drill for oil within a tiny enclave in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) to sustain optimum production. About 90 percent of Alaska's state budget derives from oil revenues.
Oil has also spawned the state's Permanent Fund Dividend Program, a grant exercise which now gives every man, woman and child who has lived in Alaska for at least six months an
annual stipend of up to $1,500 or more per year, derived from the state's unique constitutionally‑mandated Permanent Fund, fueled by oil revenues, now totaling more than $40 billion.
Perpetuation of the Fund and Dividend Program depends upon continuing state oil revenues, making virtually every Alaskan an advocate for the oil industry at any social and political cost, thus augmenting the industry's already over-whelming political base and power, giving it effective control over the electoral process in Alaska. The book also describes the tumultuous aftermath in Alaska of the discovery of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield on the North Slope in 1968.
While in Alaska, the author, the first newsman on the scene, covered the discovery and the ensuing construction of the $10 billion Trans Alaska oil pipeline from 1968 to 1977, the costliest privately-financed construction project in history which took nearly a decade, from 1969 to 1977 to complete.
The book traces the deterioration of the aging pipeline after 30 years of operation which, for reasons the book explains, is a disaster waiting to happen. It also covers the financial and field operations of the oil industry, from small independents to large multi‑national corporations like Exxon Mobile, British Petroleum, Conco Phillipsand others, and the politics of oil at the local, state and national levels.
The author writes extensively of the social, cultural, economic and environmental effects on Alaska and the nation of world‑scale oil production, including the construction and operation of the pipeline and related matters. Posing as a construction stiff, he worked for several months on the pipeline project undercover and incognito to sniff out and expose management and construction practices detrimental to the broad public interest.
The author covered the Alaska legislature and state government for 20 years. In the book, he discusses corruption of public officials stemming from Alaska's petrodollar wealth, and massive litigation between the state and members of the oil industry, including the largest and costliest civil rate case in the history of U. S. jurisprudence, implicating tens of billions of dollars.
The' book also covers in detail the sensational but under‑reported congressional hearings in the 1990s prompted by complaints of whistleblowers, working for the trans Alaska pipeline consortium alleging imminent threats and potentially disastrous consequences stemming
from mismanagement of the pipeline, some of which still prevail today.
It also discusses at length failed efforts over a period of five years to build a large diameter pipeline to carry North Slope natural gas through Alaska and Canada to U.S. and Canadian markets. That ill‑starred project collapsed under the weight of its gross and prohibitive costs, estimated in excess of $50 billion, and its highly politically‑charged genesis under the Carter administration.
As a result, the North Slope's vast natural gas reserves remain untapped, although now, 25 years later, there are on-going, but so far futile, efforts underway to resuscitate the gargantuan project in one form or another.
The book also analyzes the historic voyage in,1969 of the S.S. Manhattan on which the author sailed during its epic trip though the ice‑packed arctic waters of the fabled Northwest passage, an experiment sponsored by Humble Oil (now Exxon) to determine the feasibility of shipping
North Slope oil aboard supertankers through North America's northernmost archipelago to U.S. Eastern and European markets.
In another chapter, entitled, Hit & Run Journalism, Other Scriveners, the book critiques at length some fifteen non‑fiction books which have been written about Alaska oil and related matters since the 1968 North Slope oil discovery.
Copies of "Alaska Agonistes" may be obtained by writing to me at 23 Clinton St., North East, PA; jlar5553@verizon.net; or call (814) 725-8926.
READER COMMENTS
"The book arrived today. It was like being in a time warp. It covered things I had participated in but had clean forgotten. I judge it to be a great addition to Alaska history from a guy whose integrity was always at the top of the heap. Thanks." Steve Cowper, Austin, Texas; former Alaska Governor, former State Representative, Fairbanks.
"...this is an important book for these turbulent times, a book full of facts, conjecture and cautionary notes to guide us through the years to come, no matter who might be in charge here after the fall." Dan Davidson, BOOKENDS, (review), Whitehorse Daily Star, Whitehorse Yukon Territory, Canada
"This I gotta read. I still don't believe anyone got bought before Sheffield & Bill Allen, and that the deal didn't really close until Knowles; but, I'll wager you tell a different story. I've always said you were the best reporter I'd ever read, until the first time you wrote about me....." ROBERT LERESCHE, former Alaska Commissioner of Natural Resources.
“Enjoyed reading your book. Your writing style makes for easy reading. I particularly liked your treatment of local media vis-a-vis oil... Secrecy in and out of industry and government, ‘confidential’ settlements, bad advice given and taken from ‘inept amateurs from governors and attorneys general on down.’ Your capture of the gas pipeline history deserves to be read by those here now still working on the project…Your legendary investigative reporting in Alaska is sorely missed. You were one of the great ones.” Jack Roderick, Anchorage - Author, Historian
“I've enjoyed reading ‘Alaska Agonistes’. I lent the book to a friend, a retired Canadian surgeon, and he spent two hours talking with me about it and the implications of matters he found in there.” Wallace Turner, Seattle WA, Author, Pulitzer Prize Winner (retired, New York Times).
“A VETERAN ALASKA journalist, Joe LaRocca, has written a provocative new book on the oil industry in Alaska. The book is ‘Alaska Agonistes: The Age of Petroleum, How Big Oil Bought Alaska.’ ‘Agonistes’ means ‘torn with innerconflict,’ and I suspect there will be a good deal of inner and outer conflict over the contents of this volume…(LaRocca) knows a great deal about state politics and the oil industry in Alaska. There are no journalists in Alaska today who know the background the way (he) does, and we have no experts on the oil industry, or the deals that brought us to where wea re now.”Dermot Cole,Columnist, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
“Observing the low quality of our local media reporting on the oil industry and related Alaska affairs in general, I have on numerous occasions said to others something to the effect that I wished Joe LaRocca were still around and regularly reporting to us. So I was pleased to see Dermot Cole's column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner on March 23,2004 mentioning (his) new book ‘Alaska Agonistes’. This morning's News-(Miner) carries three major stories on the oil business. Without reading “Agonistes,” I would not comprehend the implications of what is being said in these stories. The book certainly has given me a lot to think about and has increased my awareness of many things.”Neil Davis, Professor Emeritus, Director, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
“I find myself savoring each short chapter. I am learning from both the breadth of your overview and the knowledgeable selection of specific observations with which you support your conclusions.”Rich Fineberg, Consultant, Fairbanks
“Only having been in AK about four years, the book was, for me, insightful, and cleared up a lot of issues I had been wondering about. I suppose if I had been here during the time period of the pipeline that it would have been more meaningful, but as it was it was a good read from a different perspective than the media usually spins things here!” Jim Hall, Kenai, National Wildlife Refuge
“Thank you for writing this great book! It’s so important that the real story gets told. Keep up the good fight. ” Dan Lawn, environmental specialist,Valdez, Alaska.
"I remember ( Circa 1973) when Dennis Fradley and I asked (State Senate President) Terry Miller about your writing on the Trans Alaska Pipeline Right of Way Leasing Bill. He said “We’ll just have to see who’s proven right.” So now we know Joe’s right. But Terry is dead, as are Governor Bill Egan and most of the other suspects who were in the room holding weapons. The rest are on a beach in Hawaii or somewhere. Fred Pratt, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, former reporter, columnist.
It's about time your perspective on that critical history got recognition here in Alaska. Hopefully some of the lessons will be understood. Kudo to you for taking the time to help. Gregg Erickson, Juneau, AK, Consultant, News Letter Editor/Publisher, The Alaska Budget Report.
Ken enjoyed your many articles over the years, and especially admired the fact that you presented (regardless of topic) factually “the other side” without spite, malice or a personal agenda. We always felt you were a brilliant writer.” Mrs. Ken (Olga) Carson, Anchorage, Alaska
I remember your uniquely brave journalism and the lonely trail you trod trying to make any kind of sense out of the Great Alaskan Feeding Fury. Bill Spear, Juneau, Alaska
For those of us who were here during "the pipeline years," Mr. La Rocca's tome is a trip down memory lane. It is also a textbook for the future--you know, for the next pipeline. Phil Deisher, Fairbanks,
You were one journalist in Alaska at that time who took pains to be objective on emotional natural resource issues. Dave Harbour, Anchorage, Alaska: Public Affairs, Consulting, commissioner / Alaska Regulatory Commission.
__________________________________________________________________
Review: Alaska Historical Society
ALASKA HISTORY Vol. 19, Nos. 1 & 2
Anchorage, Alaska 99510-0299http:
http://www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org/
By Jack Roderick
In Greek, the word agonistes means “torn with inner strife.” Former Alaska investigative journalist Joe LaRocca, uses the word in the title of his book, Alaska Agonistes: The Age of Petroleum, How Big Oil Bought Alaska.
According to LaRocca, Alaska has been “bought” by big oil companies and that Alaskans are naïve and unsophisticated about oil, despite its providing more than eighty percent of the state’s income. He thinks Alaska is riding Big Oil’s tiger.
And that things can get only worse.The author’s position is apparent even before the reader opens the book. Highlighted on the front cover fly-leaf are the words of former state senator John Butrovich, a Republican from Fairbanks.The highly-respected “Butro” spoke at a 1969 legislative hearing shortly after oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay. “The majors are going to own the whole damn state,” said Butrovich. “The majors will own you. They have no souls – robber barons don’t change.”
In the epilogue, LaRocca reinforces Butrovich's words. “The state has virtually abdicated its regulatory and other responsibilities vis a vis the exploration, development, production, and regulation of oil, though it puts on a very convincing public relations and rhetorical show of hegemony.” (p438).
Arriving in Alaska from Pennsylvania in 1967, only months before the Prudhoe Bay discovery, LaRocca began reporting oil and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Covering the state legislature for 20 years (longer than any one else in the state's history), he eventually became an independent free lance reporter, correspondent, commentator and columnist for print and broadcast media, inside and outside Alaska, including The New York Times.
LaRocca’s aggressive, accurate and well-researched information gathering style became his hallmark, and he revels in the political intrigues both in Juneau and Washington, D.C.
After a short history of oil-related events in Alaska, the book moves to the North Slope where really big things were happening. The 1968 Prudhoe Bay discovery, authorization of the trans Alaska pipeline, construction delays mainly due to Native land rights issues, the S.S Manhattan’s trip from the East Coast to Prudhoe Bay, the state’s budget going from $100 million to billions of dollars following the 1969 state $900 million lease sale, development of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, actual construction and operation of the pipeline – all these events and many others are documented in this book.
The chapter addressing the thirty-year effort trying to build a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the “South 48” markets is particularly informative and should be required reading for those still trying to build it.
Former Governor Jay Hammond is one of many individuals considered by LaRocca to be a political villain. LaRocca claims Hammond mishandled Alaska Petrochemical Company’s attempt to build a petrochemical plant in the City of Valdez and that Hammond appeared to support the doomed Alpetco plan even though he wanted it to fail.
Hammond gets failing grades also for his refusal to veto repeal of the state’s “separate accounting” oil tax and the state’s personal income tax, both allowed to expire in 1981. Also taken to task are state politicians Ed Dankworth, Bill Sheffield and George Hohman.
LaRocca includes a very interesting section at the end of his book. “Part Eight: Other Scriveners” (sub-titled Hit-and-Run Literati). In his often acerbic but forthright style, he holds sixteen authors’ feet to the fire for their alleged writing weaknesses. This section may be well worth reading all by itself.
Anyone interested in knowing how Big Oil and Alaska fought and sometimes embraced during the past decades should read Alaska Agonistes. In my opinion, events are reported as they happened. Present day policy makers can get insight into the past, which may help them in the future.
In addition to the writing itself, many photographs of historical interest are included.
Jack Roderick is an Anchorage attorney considered one of the most knowledgeable historians of the Alaska oil industry, having been involved in it one way or another, both observer and participant, for more than 50 years. He is the author of a memoir, Crude Dreams, A Personal History of Oil & Politics in Alaska, Epicenter Press, 1997. He has servxd as Borough Mayor of Anchorage and Assistsant Commissioner of the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources.
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