For the last three years of the Vietnam War, the author of this book was Chief Executive of Shell Vietnam. As such he controlled half the country's oil supply which was purchased by the Americans, used by the South Vietnamese, fought for by the Vietcong and often supplied to the North Vietnamese and Vietcong armies through indirect channels. This book is his account of the role of oil in that war. The action takes place mainly in Saigon among ambassadors, generals, politicians, bankers, businessmen, CIA agents, spies and hustlers. Wesseling recounts the behind-the-scenes manipulation and skulduggery which formed a little-known part of the Vietnam War.