Four thousand years ago, people began collecting crude oil that bubbled up through the earth to make roads and buildings. Today, people refine crude oil for many purposes, not least of all to harness its energy to power modern transportation. This book takes readers through the process of extracting, refining, and selling gasoline and diesel, while discussing how these processes are affected by globalization. It also describes complex ideas like oil reserves, supply and demand, and environmental impacts in an easy-to-follow and engaging way.