In the 1900s, huge amounts of oil were discovered on the land of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma, netting them millions. Unfortunately, this sudden wealth attracted the attention of various opportunists. This new book by journalist David Grann looks at the fate of one family, in which dozens of members were murdered in a long series of crimes as part of a plot to steal their fortune.
The main focus of this tale is on "persecution and mass murder", but "the cynical greed of the initial oil rush, and the quick money it promised", is an important thread, says Ed Vulliamy in The Guardian. That makes it particularly timely given Donald Trump's decision to approve the Dakota Access Pipeline through sacred Native American tribal lands.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
As well as recounting a horrifying plan "to cream off Osage oil revenue", the book also shows how the subsequent investigations by the fledgling Federal Bureau of Investigation "represented a hinge moment in the history of American law-enforcement", says Ian Thompson in the Financial Times. This "grimly entertaining" story "is a marvel of detective-like research and narrative verve" showcasing the author's "Dashiell Hammett-like gift for suspense".
-
Workplace pension salary sacrifice schemes could be under threat as HMRC explores optionsHMRC has published research which looks at hypothetical cuts to salary sacrifice for workplace pensions
-
Nvidia's earnings live: stock gains as investors brace for key resultsNvidia's stock opened strongly ahead of its earnings, as analysts question whether Blackwell sales can make up for lost China revenue
