I guess the best way to summarize this book is to let you know that the subtitle is "The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture". The main issues tackled are pesticides, fertilizers, genetic engineering and industrialization/globalization of agriculture. Solutions presented involve using organic methods, reduction of corporate power through changes in the law, support of small growers and the like.
This book may seem somewhat of a departure from what I usually read and write about here. I decided to read it as background for an article I want to write on morality and the patent system; I am a patent lawyer.
There is a lot of interesting information/viewpoints presented here. For more conservative readers, there are only a few places that might shock or irritate. I found some of the arguments a bit hard to accept, but I think the issues discussed are ones that all of us should be concerned with, even if we don't agree with the solutions offered in this book.
One thing that I have to mention is that I cannot understand the praise for "organic" fruits and vegetables in this book. I mean how they supposedly taste. In my experience, you pay a very high price for often ugly produce that amost always tastes odd. I am from the country and do know what "home grown" (non-industrial) tastes like, and it is better than this organic stuff. I just don't get it.
Anyway, the book is worth a read if the topic is of interest. I did find some of the websites listed at the end to be worth a look too.
Let me know what you think.
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