Oil

¡Petróleo! by Upton Sinclair is a social novel that dives into the oil boom and the machinery of power—money, politics, media, and the moral compromises that can come with all three.  This Spanish-language edition is published by Txalaparta (2025) and translated by Felipe Alaiz.
The story follows Arnold Ross, an oil magnate determined to build an empire in a world crowded with ruthless businessmen, influential bankers, corrupt politicians, false prophets, and even Hollywood stars.  Running alongside him is his son, Bun, who enters the same industry but increasingly turns his attention toward workers and socialist movements—creating a generational and ethical tug-of-war at the heart of the novel.  Inspired by the oil scandals of the Harding administration, the book frames its drama inside real historical tensions and asks what prosperity is worth when it’s built on manipulation and exploitation.
First published in 1927 (original title: Oil!), the novel reads like a sharp-eyed diagnosis of an industry shaping the 20th century—and, by extension, the way modern societies distribute wealth and influence.  It’s an excellent choice for readers who like political and historical fiction with strong social commentary, as well as anyone drawn to stories about ambition, class conflict, and the collision between private fortunes and public consequences.
If you want a classic novel that still feels current—one that fuels conversation long after the final page—¡Petróleo! belongs on your shelf.