In 1977 oil began to flow south from the Arctic through the controversial Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). This study considers the TAPS proposal and controversy as an extension (even a culmination) of established processes, policies, and attitudes within Alaska history, American environmental history, and the history of conservation. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Examines the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline project in terms of project budget estimates, management, and labor and government involvement in order to minimize costs and improve effectiveness of future large-scale arctic construction projects.

Armand Spielman had no idea of the overwhelming task before him! It was March 1969 and Armand had accepted a temporary position as a landman for the company that would build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. His task–acquire the project right-of-way so that crude oil would flow from the oil-producing fields of Prudhoe Bay to the ice-free port of Valdez where it would be shipped to west-coast refineries. Later, realizing the daunting task at hand, Armand recruited his long-time friend Jay Sullivan. Jay assembled an unlikely group of men who proved that ingenuity, perseverance, and a bit of naivety could get the job done. This is their story–the struggles and obstacles overcome to obtain the land needed to build the great Alaskan pipeline.