The Taking of Getty Oil: Pennzoil, Texaco, and the Takeover Battle That Made History

A larger-than-life saga of family, greed, and one of the most explosive courtroom battles in corporate history — from Pulitzer Prize–winning author Steve Coll.

From the New York Times–bestselling author of Private Empire comes a gripping true story of power, betrayal, and high-stakes litigation. The Taking of Getty Oil chronicles the dramatic downfall of the Getty family empire and the spectacular $10 billion takeover fight that rocked the oil industry.

At the height of his reign, J. Paul Getty was the richest man in the world. But by 1984, years after his death, his empire lay in chaos. His heirs were divided, his company was crumbling, and a fierce legal storm was brewing. When Pennzoil struck a deal with Getty’s son Gordon to buy Getty Oil, it seemed complete—until Texaco intervened and ignited one of the most famous legal battles in corporate history.

What followed was a dramatic courtroom showdown between “good ole boy” J. Hugh Liedtke of Pennzoil and the Wall Street power players behind Texaco. The verdict would shock the business world and permanently alter how corporate deals were made in America.

Rich in detail and alive with a cast of unforgettable characters, The Taking of Getty Oil is a masterclass in narrative nonfiction—a “riveting, suspenseful, and always intriguing” account (Publishers Weekly) of greed, ambition, and the price of power.

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