From Pulitzer Prize to Multi-Million Dollar Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Journey of Daniel Yergin

At the age of 30, Daniel Yergin had published his Ph.D. on the Cold War. But instead of pursuing a traditional academic path on International Relations, he shifted gears toward energy research.

Just two years later, he co-authored Energy Future, a book on energy conservation and solar technology that became a New York Times bestseller in 1979.

This success catapulted Yergin into the spotlight, drawing attention from both government and private sector clients. At 35, he co-founded Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), a consulting firm that would cover the global energy landscape.

For the next decade, Yergin dedicated his days to entrepreneurship — spending 10 hours building his firm and another 6 hours writing. Over this period, he wrote over 2,500 pages, ultimately condensing his work before publishing his landmark book, The Prize, in 1990.

The Prize, which explored oil, money, and power, earned Yergin a Pulitzer Prize and propelled CERA’s revenue to over $150 million (adjusted for inflation). This success ultimately led to the firm’s acquisition by S&P Global.

In 2020, at the age of 73, Yergin published his latest book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. The book explores the shifting dynamics of global energy, climate policy, and geopolitical power.

Yergin’s story is a powerful reminder that combining expertise, passion, and perseverance can produce extraordinary results.

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