This book investigates the internal corporate culture and operational history of BP to explain the systemic failures that led to the catastrophic oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Author Tom Bower, an investigative journalist, utilizes unprecedented access to high-level engineers and executives in London and Houston to document the company's trajectory. He argues that a pattern of negligence and profit-driven decision-making defined the organization's response to volatile global oil markets and environmental risks.

The text provides a dense, investigative look at the mechanics of the modern oil industry through the lens of a specific corporate entity. Its focus on internal access and historical context suggests a work intended for readers seeking a critical examination of corporate accountability in the energy sector.