This volume provides an overview of modern farming, acknowledging the astonishing achievements of modern farming in providing for such a rapidly growing population, whilst exploring the growing disquiet surrounding it, with day to day dramas such as foot and mouth, BSE and raids on GMOs. It discusses the innate conflicts in farming; should the forces of capitalism and high technology be quelled to introduce less damaging alternatives? yet these alternatives - such as vegetarianism and organic farming - are said to be indulgent and an unrealistic option. Colin Tudge shows a way through the confusion to enlightened agriculture. He shows how we can manage to feed people for the indefinite future, but do so without destroying other species and traditional landscapes, without cruelty, without perpetuating injustice and without wrecking rural communities.