I concur with Kaivalya on most of her points, except that I possibly hated this book. It was incredibly repetitive and poorly edited. It delved into the territory of screed on more than one occasion. I think the main problem with it is a lack of focus regarding the intended audience – if it’s preaching to the converted, there’s a good amount of anger, but too many basics. If it’s trying to sell the idea to people who aren’t familiar with the territory, there’s too much anger, and not enough friendliness.
I’m sure someone else will do it better!

I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t love it either. After finally, painfully finishing it, my overall sense was that it needed a good editor. The writing was spotty and repetitive. It could have been half the length and more effective pared down.

It’s a shame the book wasn’t better organised because the topic is an important and timely one: thanks to genetic modification of vegetables, use of pesticides/herbicides/chemicals, plus the depletion of our soil, food is less tasty and less nutritious.

When food became ‘big business’ and agricultural monoculture the norm, decisions about the quality and desireablity of certain types of vegetables and their identifying characteristics were made based on what produced the ‘toughest’ crop (to be harvested by machine) or the most productive (creating the greatest yields). Not only has the quality of food suffered, but the actual nutrition of our foods has been compromised.

This book is very important and informative. I just wish it was better written.