In the winter of 1901, in a field outside of Beaumont, Texas, the course of the world's energy choices changed forever with the discovery of an oil reserve. This is the iconic Texas oil story of Patillo Higgins, Anthony Lucas, and a gusher the likes of which had never been seen there. Approachable and detailed, this account explains the Spindletop oil field and how it initially produced a geyser that shot 200 feet in the air and went on to produce more than 80,000 barrels of oil per day, marking the birth of the modern petroleum industry and making Texas synonymous with oil. The narrative dramatically outlines the history of the oil industry and how it has changed the world for better and for worse. Complementing the main story is information on alternative sources of energy.