[dredmorbius]

For a highly provacative and informative lesser-known history of WWI, see Robert Newman's History of Oil.

http://fixyt.com/watch?v=GIpm_8v80hw

The book (and PBS/BBC series) The Prize also includes some highly interesting aspects on both WWI and WWII and the role of oil in combat. Though the concerns over the Berlin-Baghdad Railroad Newman highlights aren't discussed.

http://fixyt.com/watch?v=ioazMpe1SHE (around 41m46s)