The Development of Modern Agriculture: British Farming Since 1931

Martin (economics and social history, De Montfort U., Leicester) evaluates the success of the modern agricultural revolution, which has transformed British farming since the abandonment of free trade. He explains that it originated from wartime necessity and has continued to the present under the impetus for increased food production, first through British government intervention, and later by the European policies. He suggests that now is a watershed when policy makers might want to ponder on farming's economic success, but also the scourges of overproduction, environmental degradation, and overcapacity. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)