Blood and Oil

Blood and Oil by Bradley Hope: Detailed Summary

Blood and Oil by Bradley Hope offers an in-depth look at the dramatic rise of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Saudi crown prince who has reshaped the kingdom with speed, aggression, and sweeping ambition. The book reveals how his leadership blends modernization and repression, how he centralized power across the Saudi government, and why his decisions have global implications for energy, geopolitics, and human rights. Rather than portraying him as a simple villain or hero, the work presents a complex figure driven by ambition, insecurity, and a vision of national transformation.

Origins of a Future Ruler

Mohammed bin Salman was not born the obvious successor to the Saudi throne. As one of many sons of King Salman, his future initially seemed ordinary by royal standards — wealth, privilege, education, but not necessarily power. Yet unlike many princes, he developed a deep fascination with power structures and stories of dominance. While other royals enjoyed leisure, MBS devoured accounts of conquering leaders and business magnates, internalizing the idea that true power is earned, not inherited passively.

A major turning point came when he recognized the vulnerability of his family branch. Wealth in Saudi Arabia flows through proximity to the throne, and without a strong political path, his future influence could fade. This realization sparked his drive to create a base of power early — forming loyal networks among military units, advisors, and technocrats. He watched his father navigate conservative clerics and tribal alliances, learning that Saudi politics rewards those bold enough to seize control and punish disloyalty.

Rapid Ascent Through the Royal Hierarchy

The defining moment for MBS came when King Salman ascended to the throne in 2015. Overnight, Mohammed moved from a prince with influence to one controlling the Ministry of Defense, the Royal Court, and a growing share of economic decision-making. In a system where consensus once dictated policy, MBS operated differently — speed over consultation, action over tradition.

He removed experienced rivals like Mohammed bin Nayef, the widely respected counterterrorism figure once considered heir apparent. He bypassed princes who expected traditional succession protocols. Each move concentrated authority around him, cutting threads that tied power to multiple factions. Within two years, he became crown prince — something almost unimaginable just a decade before.

The Ritz-Carlton Crackdown — Power Becomes Absolute

One of the most defining events in MBS’s consolidation of power was the 2017 anti-corruption purge. Dozens of elite businessmen, media owners, billionaires, military officers, and princes were summoned under vague accusations of financial misconduct. Instead of trials, they were detained at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, which was converted into a gilded detention center. Interrogations took place behind closed doors. Fortunes were reclaimed into state control — estimated in the tens of billions — through negotiations that resembled coerced settlements.

Supporters called it necessary reform to dismantle decades of corruption and waste. Critics called it a strategic power grab that neutralized rivals and gave MBS direct financial control. Regardless of interpretation, the result was undeniable: every major institution — military, intelligence, internal security, ...