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Books About Shell

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Books About Shell: An Expanded Bibliography

Introduction

Royal Dutch Shell, now Shell plc, has generated an unusually large body of literature stretching from official corporate histories and executive memoirs to academic studies, environmental investigations, human-rights accounts and books written by people directly involved in disputes with the company.

The bibliography below includes:

histories commissioned or published by Shell;
independent corporate histories;
biographies of important Shell figures;
books about particular Shell businesses and projects;
books concerning Nigeria, Ogoni and Ken Saro-Wiwa;
books about Brent Spar and Corrib;
studies of Shell’s celebrated scenario-planning system;
broader histories of the international oil industry in which Shell is a significant subject;
and Amazon Kindle books by John Donovan concerning his long-running relationship with Shell.

The descriptions below are original summaries rather than reproductions of publishers’ copyrighted descriptions.

Early Royal Dutch and Shell Histories

1934

An International Oil Man

Author: Sir Henri Deterding, as told to Stanley Naylor
Format: Print read more

^*This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment, the Shell DPA Files, "Shell and the Spies", the Shell Leaks files, as well as books written and published by John Donovan - Kindle eBooks. Timeline of the Donovan Shell Feud. Toxic History of Royal Dutch Shell Group. Shell and the Donovans: The Full Media Record — 550+ Articles, 110 Books, 40 Years. ^*All created and supported by internet wizz, Nick Gill.

Shell and the Spies: A Country-by-Country Evidence Audit

Jul 13th, 2026

by John Donovan.

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Visit “Shell Spying, Corporate Intelligence and Security: Documentary Chronology” for even more information

ChatGPT: Countries where Shell has been associated with spying, intelligence gathering or covert security activity

A necessary distinction

Shell operates in a dangerous world. Major energy companies face genuine risks from terrorism, sabotage, kidnapping, cyberattack, industrial espionage, hostile state activity and threats to offshore installations, pipelines and employees. No responsible critic would suggest that Shell should abandon legitimate security precautions or fail to protect its workforce and assets.

The concern examined in this series is different. It is whether Shell has sometimes crossed the line from proportionate corporate security into covert intelligence-gathering, surveillance or espionage directed not at terrorists or hostile states, but at campaigners, whistleblowers, trade unionists, journalists, critics and ordinary members of the public. read more

The Donovan–Shell Feud: A Conflict That Refuses to End: 17 Feb 2026

Feb 17th, 2026

by John Donovan.

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Bing response on 17 February 2026 to the prompt: John Donovan Shell feud

The Donovan-Shell feud is a decades-long conflict between activist John Donovan and Shell plc, originating from 1980s intellectual property disputes and evolving into a high-profile, AI-amplified campaign.

Origins of the Feud

The conflict began in the late 1970s and early 1980s when John Donovan, alongside his father Alfred Donovan, ran Don Marketing, a company creating promotional campaigns for Shell UK, including loyalty programs and petrol forecourt games. Donovan alleges that Shell stole intellectual property and promotional ideas, particularly related to schemes like the SMART card loyalty program, which led to bitter litigation throughout the 1990s. A high-profile court case in 1999 culminated in a settlement in 2001, with Shell paying an undisclosed sum, though Donovan has claimed ongoing breaches and surveillance. read more

Copilot Microsoft.com: Should Shell Apologise for Nazi‑Era Collaboration?

Feb 12th, 2026

by John Donovan.

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The prompt which sparked this reply from Copilot is in red text below.

You’re raising a question that sits at the intersection of history, ethics, and modern corporate governance — and the evidence you cite is not fringe, speculative, or uncorroborated. It comes from historians, court records, journalistic investigations, and Shell’s own archival material. When a company with Shell’s global influence carries this kind of historical and contemporary baggage, silence becomes a strategic choice, not an accident. read more

AI CONSENSUS: SHELL MUST APOLOGISE FOR ITS TOXIC HISTORY

Feb 9th, 2026

by John Donovan.

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Shell’s lack of apologies for its toxic history: A unanimous verdict by Bot buddies: Perplexity, Grok, ChatGPT, Copilot and Google AI

PERPLEXITY RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION IN RED TEXT AT FOOT OF THIS ARTICLE. THE SAME PROMPT ISSUED TO ALL INVITED AI PLATFORMS.

Shell’s documented conduct under Nazism, apartheid, and in Nigeria creates a strong ethical case that it should issue clear, specific apologies and undertake concrete remediation, rather than maintain its longstanding pattern of silence and minimisation.

1. What the historical record shows

Shell’s own-archive–based histories and independent researchers describe extensive links between Royal Dutch Shell (and especially Sir Henri Deterding) and Nazi Germany, including close personal contacts with Hitler and substantial financial and logistical support to the Third Reich’s war machine. read more

Grok Calls Donovan’s AI Strategy a ‘Masterclass in Digital Persistence’

Jan 15th, 2026

by John Donovan.

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How AI Sees the Donovan–Shell Dispute: Grok’s Verdict

Grok, the AI platform developed by xAI, has described John Donovan’s use of generative artificial intelligence in his long-running dispute with Shell plc as a “masterclass in digital persistence,” recognising how archival material, satire, and AI feedback loops are being used to keep a 30-year corporate controversy alive in search results and algorithmic summaries. In a detailed response to questions about recent articles examining Google AI Mode’s contradictory advice to Shell, Grok concluded that Donovan’s strategy exploits the mechanics of modern AI systems in a way that traditional corporate silence can no longer neutralise. read more

Deep pockets, deeper waters: Shell’s five-well fling off South Africa meets a wall of salt, science, and small-boat fury

Sep 12th, 2025

by admin.

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Shell promises ‘energy security’; communities promise court dates.

Shell—the greedy, ruthless, polluting oil giant and perennial sin stock—has a fresh plan to poke holes in the planet: up to five deep-water wells off South Africa’s west coast. Civil society groups and coastal communities have answered with a formal appeal, because someone has to bring a bucket when the world’s richest arsonist shows up with matches.

What Shell just got — and why people are furious

As Reuters reported, “Shell (SHEL.L) has been granted environmental authorisation to drill up to five deep-water wells off South Africa’s west coast, the company said on Friday.” Shell added: “Should viable resources be found offshore, this could significantly contribute to South Africa’s energy security and the government’s economic development programmes.” (Reuters)

The authorisation covers the Northern Cape Ultra-Deep (NCUD) block, between Port Nolloth and Lamberts Bay, in the Orange Basin—water depths of roughly 2,500–3,200 metres. (Reuters) (Appeal PDF) read more

Shell & BP Sin Syndicate: Pollution, Profits, and Privilege – The Real Energy Transition

Jun 9th, 2025

by admin.

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What do you get when you cross two oil giants with a fondness for dictatorship-era espionage, apartheid-era diplomacy, and fireballs of carcinogens? You get Shell and BP: the dynamic duo of destruction, the real masters of global transition—transitioning the planet from livable to cooked, one explosive scandal at a time.

Let’s begin with , Britain’s teetering national oil champion, desperately trying to cling to its “independence” like a CEO clings to a bonus while oil rigs burn. With shares down 22% over the last year, BP is now more of a discount bin than a blue-chip. The vultures are circling—US oil giants and even Shell (because nothing says “rescue” like handing the keys to another moral sinkhole). read more

South Africa’s Constitutional Court Slaps Down Oil Giant’s Wild Coast Exploitation

Aug 28th, 2024

by John Donovan.

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Shell Shocked: South Africa’s Constitutional Court Slaps Down Oil Giant’s Wild Coast Exploitation—But Wait, There’s More!

Well, well, well, if it isn’t our favorite sin stock darling, Shell, getting a well-deserved smackdown from South Africa’s Constitutional Court. In a twist that has likely left Shell execs spitting out their morning lattes, the court refused to hear the oil behemoth’s desperate appeal to pillage the Wild Coast. But wait, the drama isn’t over yet!

Despite the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) already deciding that Shell’s right to blast the Wild Coast with seismic surveys was “unlawfully granted” (translation: Shell didn’t even bother pretending to care about consulting the local communities whose lives they planned to wreck), the Constitutional Court has agreed to hear from the Wild Coast communities who think the SCA was a little too soft on our corporate polluters. read more

Shell Seeks to Drill Holes in South Africa’s Oceans: Because Why Not?

Jul 9th, 2024

by John Donovan.

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Posted by John Donovan: 9 July 2024

In today’s episode of “Shell’s Next Big Environmental Screw-Up,” the oil giant is seeking government permission to drill up to five offshore wells off the west coast of South Africa. That’s right, folks—because clearly, our oceans aren’t polluted enough, and the wildlife isn’t nearly as threatened as it could be.

Environmental Circus:

According to a draft scoping report from environmental consultancy SLR, Shell Offshore Upstream South Africa B.V. and its partners are eagerly awaiting the green light from the government to start wreaking havoc in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block (NCUD) in the Orange Basin. This region’s depths range from 2,500 to 3,200 meters—perfect for deep-sea drilling and even deeper levels of corporate irresponsibility. read more

Shell Digs Deeper: The Quest for More Profits at the Expense of the South Africa Wild Coast

Jun 10th, 2024

by John Donovan.

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Posted by John Donovan: 10 June 2024

In a shocking display of corporate greed and utter disregard for the environment, Shell, the infamous oil giant known for its ruthless pollution tactics, is hell-bent on drilling for oil and gas off the South Africa Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.

This week, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upheld a ruling by the high court in Makhanda, ordering Shell to pause its voracious plans until it has “sufficiently consulted” the communities that will be directly impacted. Because, you know, consulting the locals whose lives you’re about to wreck is apparently an afterthought for Shell.

“It is not in dispute that neither the public was given notice of the decisions or informed of the right to appeal. The failure to do so, which is unexplained on the papers, is subversive of the procedural entitlements of the appellants,” reads the SCA judgment. read more

Shell’s Seismic Tantrum

Jun 3rd, 2024

by John Donovan.

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Posted by John Donovan: 3 June 2024

Shell’s Seismic Tantrum: Court Smacks Down Oil Giant’s Appeal But Leaves Door Open for Another Round of Environmental Nonsense

Environmental Activists Win Against Shell In Appeal Court

In a classic case of corporate shenanigans, Shell and their cronies at Impact Africa, along with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), just had their appeal smacked down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Their aim? To overturn a High Court ruling that halted their oh-so-important seismic survey off the Wild Coast. Why the halt? Apparently, “community participation” was more of a bad joke than a reality.

The SCA dismissed their appeal with costs and pointed out that the so-called community involvement was downright “illusory.” Translation: Shell’s idea of consulting the local communities was about as real as a unicorn. But hold onto your hats, because the court did leave a teeny-tiny crack open for Shell and Impact Africa to make a third attempt to renew their 2014 exploration rights. Of course, this time, they actually have to talk to the people whose lives they’re screwing over. read more

Shell Shocked: High Court Schools Oil Giant on Culture and Climate

May 18th, 2024

by John Donovan.

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Posted by John Donovan: 18 May 2024

Well, well, well, look who’s been schooled by South Africa’s High Court! Our favorite environmental villain, Shell, thought it could waltz onto South Africa’s pristine Wild Coast and dig for fossil fuels. But Indigenous communities weren’t having any of it, and they fought back with some serious legal chops.

In 2021, Shell announced it wanted to blast the south-eastern coast with a 3D seismic survey, all in the name of finding more ways to ruin the planet. This genius idea threatened marine life and local communities, not to mention the climate. But who cares about that when there’s oil to be found, right? read more

Shell Plays the Villain Again, Slapping Greenpeace with a lawsuit

Nov 30th, 2023

by John Donovan.

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Posted by John Donovan: 30 November 2023

In an Oscar-worthy performance of environmental destruction, Shell, the notorious eco-villain, once again finds itself in the spotlight as Greenpeace activists, the caped crusaders of climate justice, stage a dramatic blockade. Picture this: a fleet of kayaks, more formidable than warships, halting the operations of Shell’s import terminal in Batangas City. It’s like a scene straight out of an eco-thriller, except the stakes are real, and the planet’s future hangs in the balance. read more

South African court bans offshore oil and gas exploration by Shell

Sep 2nd, 2022

by John Donovan.

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The Guardian

South African court bans offshore oil and gas exploration by Shell

Judgment is huge victory for campaigners concerned about effect of seismic waves on marine life

A South African court has upheld a ban imposed on the energy giant Shell from using seismic waves to explore for oil and gas off the Indian Ocean coast.

The judgment delivered in Makhanda on Thursday marks a monumental victory for environmentalists concerned about the impact the exploration would have on whales and other marine life.

The 2014 decision granting the right for the “exploration of oil and gas in the Transkei and Algoa exploration areas is reviewed and set aside”, the high court ruled in the southern city. read more

South Africa court to rule on Shell offshore oil exploration

Jun 2nd, 2022

by John Donovan.

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AP NEWS

South Africa court to rule on Shell offshore oil exploration

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME: June 2022

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A South African court is to rule on efforts to stop British oil giant Shell from conducting any further seismic surveys in the country’s Indian Ocean waters to explore for offshore oil and gas deposits.

Environmental and community groups in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province won an urgent interdict to stop the surveys in December last year and are now asking the court to permanently halt the operations. read more

30 November 2023: Posted by John Donovan

The content below is sourced from current verifiable customer reviews of Shell Energy published on Trustpilot.
Extremely slow broadband for 10 months, not fixed. I have had slow broadband well below the guaranteed speed for 10 months and Shell Energy have not been able to fix it. They have tried sending about 4 or 5 engineers but have not fixed the problem. Gurps, who I have been dealing with most recently, has been friendly and polite, alth… Read more

Extremely Slow Shell Broadband

South Africa

Books About Shell: An Expanded Bibliography

Introduction

Early Royal Dutch and Shell Histories

1934

Visit “Shell Spying, Corporate Intelligence and Security: Documentary Chronology” for even more information

ChatGPT: Countries where Shell has been associated with spying, intelligence gathering or covert security activity

A necessary distinction

Bing response on 17 February 2026 to the prompt: John Donovan Shell feud

The Donovan-Shell feud is a decades-long conflict between activist John Donovan and Shell plc, originating from 1980s intellectual property disputes and evolving into a high-profile, AI-amplified campaign.

Shell’s lack of apologies for its toxic history: A unanimous verdict by Bot buddies: Perplexity, Grok, ChatGPT, Copilot and Google AI

PERPLEXITY RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION IN RED TEXT AT FOOT OF THIS ARTICLE. THE SAME PROMPT ISSUED TO ALL INVITED AI PLATFORMS.

1. What the historical record shows

How AI Sees the Donovan–Shell Dispute: Grok’s Verdict

Shell promises ‘energy security’; communities promise court dates.

What Shell just got — and why people are furious

Shell Shocked: South Africa’s Constitutional Court Slaps Down Oil Giant’s Wild Coast Exploitation—But Wait, There’s More!

In a shocking display of corporate greed and utter disregard for the environment, Shell, the infamous oil giant known for its ruthless pollution tactics, is hell-bent on drilling for oil and gas off the South Africa Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.

Shell’s Seismic Tantrum: Court Smacks Down Oil Giant’s Appeal But Leaves Door Open for Another Round of Environmental Nonsense

Environmental Activists Win Against Shell In Appeal Court

Posted by John Donovan: 18 May 2024

The Guardian

Sir Henri Deterding, resurrected!

JOE LYCETT DISCUSSES SHELL WITH JOHN DONOVAN

Meta

John Donovan’s ebooks

JOHN DONOVAN TV DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEW

SHELL EXECUTIVES AT THE CENTER OF A SCHEME TO STEAL $1.3 BILLION FROM NIGERIA’S PEOPLE

SHELL ADMITS DEALING WITH NIGERIAN MONEY LAUNDERER – BBC NEWS

SHELL, ENI AND NIGERIAN OFFICIALS IN OPL 245 CORRUPTION SCANDAL

INVESTIGATION OF OPL 245 NIGERIAN OIL CORRUPTION SCANDAL

DUTCH EARTHQUAKES CAUSED BY SHELL/EXXON

SHELL KILLS FOR OIL IN NIGERIA

SHELL LIED ABOUT CLEANING UP OIL IN NIGER DELTA

SHELL SPIES INFILTRATED NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

LEGO DROPS SHELL OVER GREENPEACE OIL SPILL VIDEO

SHELL ARCTIC DRILLING ACCIDENTS

SHELL KNEW ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE DECADES AGO

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL FOUNDER SIR HENRI DETERDING, NAZI FINANCIER

JOHN DONOVAN PROMOTIONAL GAMES FOR SHELL AND OTHER CLIENTS

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30 November 2023: Posted by John Donovan

The content below is sourced from current verifiable customer reviews of Shell Energy published on Trustpilot.

The worst ever

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