[The Great Food Gamble] [By: Humphrys, John] [January, 2002]

by John Humphrys

'Compelling' OBSERVER'Humphrys' level-headedness makes the arguments all the more powerful' SUNDAY TIMES'A concise, no-nonsense assessment of the true cost of cheap to the environment, the livestock, and the nation's long-term health' DAILY MAIL'A passionate discourse ... well-written and accessible' INDEPENDENT* * * * * * * * *John Humphrys is passionate about the state of British food, farming, fishing and agriculture. Here, he looks back to the days of organic farming in England when people shared and swapped food and considered the wildlife as well as the farmed animals, crops and fruits. He examines today's factory farming, pouring chemicals into the land, the scandal of the supermarket wars and cheap imported goods. He then turns to the future and Can we save this ravaged earth and rebuild our community values? Most of all, can we reverse the damage to ourselves and our long-term health that may result from what we eat? John Humphrys' book requires the full attention of anyone who cares about themselves or the future.

Genres: Cooking, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Desmond John Humphrys is a Welsh author, journalist and presenter of radio and television, who has won many national broadcasting awards. From 1981 to 1987 he was the main presenter for the Nine O'Clock News, the flagship BBC news television programme, and since 1987 he has been a presenter on the award-winning BBC Radio 4 programme, Today. He is also currently the host of the popular BBC Two television quiz show Mastermind.

John Humphrys has written several books, including Lost for Words, in which he criticizes what he sees as the widespread misuse of the English language, plus 'Devil's Advocate', 'Beyond Words', 'The Great Food Gamble' and 'In God We Doubt: Confessions Of A Failed Atheist'. Humphrys is an agnostic, but has a curiosity to test his agnosticism and challenge established religions to see if they can restore his childhood belief in God. In 2006, he presented a BBC Radio 4 programme, titled "Humphrys in Search of God" where he spoke to leading British authorities on Christianity, Judaism and Islam to try and restore his faith.

Humphrys is a columnist for the Daily Mail.

Reviews

[Jasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It contains all the basics you need to know, even though it's already a bit older. If you want to get an good overview about gen-technical food, pesticides, antibiotics and food agriculture this book got you covered, but if you want to dig deeper and already have a little knowledge about this topics then I would recommend looking for alternative books.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Over-statistic-fied, but it could be this particular genre just is not for me.

[Marianne Broadgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-researched, well-argued book about the harm we are doing to our environment and our food supplies as a result and eloquently reveals why it has happened. Everyone should read it.