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The True Story Of An Ivy League Kid Who Changed The World Of Oil From Wall Street

Geoffrey Blair

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Published in Rigged: The True Story Of An Ivy League Kid Who Changed The World Of Oil From Wall Street To Dubai (P S )

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The Early Years

T. Boone Pickens was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, in 1928. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Pickens was a bright and ambitious child, and he excelled in school. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and enrolled at Oklahoma State University.

Rigged: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai (P.S.)

by Ben Mezrich

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	770 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	320 pages

At Oklahoma State, Pickens studied geology and petroleum engineering. He was a star student, and he graduated with honors in 1949. After graduation, Pickens worked for a major oil company, but he quickly realized that he wanted to be his own boss.

The Rise To The Top

In 1956, Pickens founded his own oil company, Mesa Petroleum. The company was initially small, but Pickens was a shrewd businessman, and he quickly grew the company into one of the largest independent oil companies in the United States.

Pickens' success was due in part to his innovative approach to the oil industry. He was one of the first oilmen to use computers to analyze data and make investment decisions. He was also one of the first to use horizontal drilling to extract oil from shale formations.

In the 1980s, Pickens became a major player in the oil industry. He acquired a number of large oil companies, and he became one of the most powerful men in the industry. Pickens was known for his aggressive tactics, and he was often involved in hostile takeovers.

However, Pickens was also a generous philanthropist. He donated millions of dollars to education and other charitable causes. He also founded the Pickens Plan, a non-profit organization that promotes the development of renewable energy sources.

The Later Years

In 1997, Pickens retired from Mesa Petroleum. He remained active in the oil industry, however, and he continued to invest in renewable energy sources. Pickens died in 2019 at the age of 91.

Legacy

T. Boone Pickens was a pioneer in the oil industry. He was a brilliant businessman, a shrewd investor, and a generous philanthropist. His legacy is one of innovation, risk-taking, and determination.

Pickens' story is an inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve great things. He showed that it is possible to start with nothing and build a successful business. He also showed that it is possible to make a difference in the world.

Rigged: The True Story of an Ivy League Kid Who Changed the World of Oil, from Wall Street to Dubai (P.S.)

by Ben Mezrich

4.2 out of 5