Explores the relationship between global population and food availability, as well as agricultural advancements and the ecological devastations they often leave in their wake. Covers topics such as climate change, the Green Revolution, irrigation, and chemical management of crops.

The curse -- Famine's lethal lessons -- The green revolution : food, sex, and war -- The plight of the Punjab -- China : landraces and Lamborghinis -- Food, fuel, and profit -- The gauntlet -- The blue revolution -- Back in the USSR -- The blooming desert -- Magic seeds : feeding shareholders or the world -- Organic agriculture : feeding the rich or enriching the poor -- The Malawi miracle -- The grand desiderata.