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23rd out of 34 books
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Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Stop the Climate Crisis, Heal Our Planet, Feed the World and Keep Us Safe
by
Maria Rodale
Rodale was founded on the belief that organic gardening is the key to better health both for us and for the planet, and never has this message been more urgent. Now Maria Rodale, chairman of Rodale, sheds new light on the state of 21st century farming. She examines the unholy alliances that have formed between the chemical companies that produce fertilizer and genetic
...moreHardcover, 208 pages
Published
March 16th 2010
by Rodale Books
(first published 2010)
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Someone got me this book for Christmas, knowing that I tend to like good food and non-poisonous food, and so I approached it very much as a receptive, willing audience. The problem I ran into-- aside from the sometimes choppy prose and organization-- is the kind of Michael Moore problem that a lot of people face: fundamentally, I agree with this woman, and yet I find her argument to be riddled with flaws, at best, and totally disingenuous at worst.
What I mean is, this book-- even in ...more
What I mean is, this book-- even in ...more
Maria Rodale, CEO of Rodale, Inc. and 3rd generation organic advocate, shares convincing arguments (scientific, financial, political, ethical) for going totally organic. Chemical agriculture is poisoning us, our children, our air, our water-- so it's not too hard to convince me. Especially fascinating as we seek a solution for dealing with carbon emissions is that there already is one: organically farmed soil stores carbon, on the mycorrhizal fungi that grow on the roots of plants-- fungi tha...more
It was hard for me to chose a 'rating' for this book. Clearly, Maria Rodale had a mission. That being said, passionate arguments that go on for 187 pages don't necessarily make the most well-written books. However, despite knowing many of her points due to a environmental science major in college, it was interesting to see them all in one place. Her constant use of citations is also helpful in fact checking and understanding her message. I believe in her ideas whole-heartedly and I think reading...more
this book was pretty good. the only thing i would say that i have against it would be that i wish she would have offered more ways to mobilize local leaders and farmers to go organic. fighting against the chemical companies and the government's tax cuts for big businesses that bully farmers is not going to just go away buy us buying organic. the reality is that until organic food becomes more affordable, we'll be stuck in the same cycle. this book offered a lot of information that changed ho...more
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Manifestos are tricky things. It is not enough to identify the problem, but also to advocate a solution. Rodale and Schlosser do both in a concise and compelling way. As a long-standing partisan of the organic method, there was some 'preaching to the converted' and not much in the way of any new understandings of the subject. The two 'problem' sections could have been edited down and the 'solution' or healing section could have been expanded, but on the whole the Organic Manifesto makes a valuab...more
Maria Rodale is VERY passionate when it comes to organic food & farming. I wish everyone on this planet would read her book and change the status quo. I had no idea how complicated and detrimental the Farm Bill has become! I did know, however, how powerful and insidious the chemical companies are, but I didn't realize the full extent of their greed and control. YIKES. Thank goodness for "Part 3: The Age of Healing," or I might never sleep again.
I HIGHLY recommend this...more
I HIGHLY recommend this...more
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I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book scared the crap out of me, but in a good way. I really had never thought about our food sources in this way. The damage that we have done to our planet and still keep doing just blows me away. I live in a small rural community and am surrounded by fields. I wasn't even aware of all the pesticides that farmers use. I also live right next to an elevator so when they haul the crops in we are coated with another layer of cra...more
This book scared the crap out of me, but in a good way. I really had never thought about our food sources in this way. The damage that we have done to our planet and still keep doing just blows me away. I live in a small rural community and am surrounded by fields. I wasn't even aware of all the pesticides that farmers use. I also live right next to an elevator so when they haul the crops in we are coated with another layer of cra...more
After listening to this woman on Jillian Michael's last podcast, I had to read her book. I was floored when she said that many of the same companies that made poison for the Nazis make pesticides for our food. So far, she's spelling out what the big damn deal is about organic food and why we should buy/support it.
The book serves an important function but felt repetitive after a while. It surely could've been cut down by 75% and been an amazingly informative booklet. Pages 181-183 answe...more
The book serves an important function but felt repetitive after a while. It surely could've been cut down by 75% and been an amazingly informative booklet. Pages 181-183 answe...more
I know I say this a lot but, READ THIS! She delves into the history of modern farming, the many benefits of organic farming and why we need to demand organic. She also makes a good, if obvious, argument about the local vs. organic question. If you have any doubts about the nutritional benefits of organic foods (including non-GMO foods) then read this for other arguments on why going organic is essential...and book a workshop with me to get the lowdown on the nutritional aspects of organic foo...more
Kate
rated it
Information-packed quick read about the benefits of organic farming/ranching. Rodale offers terrific arguments in favor of organic food production, as opposed to chemical food production. She's fairly liberal with the ad hominem attacks on her opposition that are sorta unnecessary, so that's why four stars rather than five. Overall, though, it's a good introduction/refresher on why organic is such a good idea for the planet and for our tables.
The author is biased, but she let's you know that up front. I mean, look at the title. This is a really interesting read if you're wondering about the pros and cons of buying organic. You have to take some of what the author says with a grain of salt, but the book offers a lot of good information. I did skim over a couple of parts, but overall I found it very interesting and thought provoking.
This was a fascinating, although sometimes disheartening and vaguely frightening, read. Maria Rodale covers all the reasons why the current chemical farming methods the majority of our farms use are killing us and the planet and makes the argument for an organic revolution. There are copious endnotes and sources provided for each chapter so you know where the information and statistics are coming from. I would recommend this friends and anyone who is unsure exactly WHY organic really is the b...more
As someone married to an organic farmer, I was interested to see what Maria Rodale had to offer. I'll be honest, I expected a great deal of propaganda and rhetoric. I was happily surprised to see that it was minimal.
One of the most interesting points in the book is obvious. Following are 2 statements that are frequently in the news:
1 - We need chemicals to feed people or we will starve. (ie we will not be able to produce enough)
2 - The Farm Bill pays farmers to NOT farm becau...more
One of the most interesting points in the book is obvious. Following are 2 statements that are frequently in the news:
1 - We need chemicals to feed people or we will starve. (ie we will not be able to produce enough)
2 - The Farm Bill pays farmers to NOT farm becau...more
3.5 stars
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A very well thought out, eloquent summary of conventional vs. organic farming, and why organic is better. The only thing I don't like about it is how Rodale loves big corporations, even Wal-Mart, as long as they sell organic produce. I realize that big corporations love taking divisive issues such as this and taking advantage of them to their benefit, but in my opinion, the world will be a better place without big corporations. I also have some problems with t...more
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A very well thought out, eloquent summary of conventional vs. organic farming, and why organic is better. The only thing I don't like about it is how Rodale loves big corporations, even Wal-Mart, as long as they sell organic produce. I realize that big corporations love taking divisive issues such as this and taking advantage of them to their benefit, but in my opinion, the world will be a better place without big corporations. I also have some problems with t...more
Really good information. My takeway from this book: "You have a lot more power to create the world than you think. Every choice you make creates your world. Every purchase you make rewards either the good or the bad. Every time you chose cheap, chemical food over organic, you are rewarding the bad. You vote with every dollar you spend. Companies and governments count every purchase you make and make almost every decision based on your purchases."
Not the most well-written non-fiction. It could have used more facts to back up some assertions and was quite repetitive, especially towards the end. But definitely succeeded in opening my eyes to the necessity of buying organic!
Way too dirty hippie for me. I'm all about organic farming and sustainable eating but this was just a big lobby against the farming industry, Montesano, and a bunch of political crap about how the republicans are killing the earth.
I think I'll drive it back to the library in my gas guzzling SUV.
I think I'll drive it back to the library in my gas guzzling SUV.
Natalie
is currently reading it
do the part titles tell you enough?
Part 1: the great chemical experiment (in which we are all guinea pigs)
Part 2: the torturous journey to our extinction
Part 3: the age of healing
Part 1: the great chemical experiment (in which we are all guinea pigs)
Part 2: the torturous journey to our extinction
Part 3: the age of healing
Nice, succinct introduction to organic vs. chemical farming and some insight into changes that may possibly improve our world as we know it. Definitely worth the easy 200 pages.
Liked this look at "organic." I had no idea the intricately woven tapestry of our farming industry. The first on many future reads on this topic.
I believe with a different title this important book, which is chock-full of current research, could reach more people. Otherwise, I'm sure Maria Rodale is just preaching to the choir. However, if you're looking to find out why healthy soil equals a healthy planet and healthy people, this book is all you need. Excellent for those in school or needing buy-in from family members to choose healthier options.
Highly recommend it. Really made me think about all damage chemical farming has the potential to do (and has done already). Go organic!
B Interesting. I knew a lot of things already (I read too much on the topic) but a lot fr the perspective of the farmer.
Can get a little preachy and tends to over simplify all our problems to the way we farm
This is a great, easy-to-read book about a complicated and controversial subject. I found all the sources to be credible, and the author's attitude to be one of solutions not just complaints. And she certainly has the "pedigree" to be discussing this topic.
While it may seem like "tree-hugging, hippy thinking" to some, I appreciated the science that I learned. Definitely worth the time investment.
While it may seem like "tree-hugging, hippy thinking" to some, I appreciated the science that I learned. Definitely worth the time investment.
Short and simple explanation as to why we should eat organic.
This is definitely a book that EVERYONE should read. Especially if you are one of those people who aren't sold on organic or think it's a bunch of crap, read this! Educate yourself, and change the world in the process. Very easy read, and it piles on a lot of information through valid arguments. LOVE THIS.
I think this is the Silent Spring of my generation (and yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Spring.) I read it with my Sustainability class and they appreciated the details that Rodale gave to illuminate the peril that we are in (the footnotes were especially appreciated) as well as the fact that it ended on a positive note - - a suggestion that we CAN turn things around and that it's WORTH doing so. It's depressing but also uplifting and inspiring in an era when I feel like many of the environme...more
I really enjoyed this book. I truly believe that the way our foods are processed has changed the well-being of our society. As a person with a chronic illness, I know the importance of keeping your body free of foreign substances and chemicals.
Rodale's writing is thorough, and it serves as great educational tool for those who do not understand the importance of organic farming. She really chronicles the problems of consuming chemicals or mass produced foods. A real eye opener.
...more
Rodale's writing is thorough, and it serves as great educational tool for those who do not understand the importance of organic farming. She really chronicles the problems of consuming chemicals or mass produced foods. A real eye opener.
...more
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Maya Rodale is the author of the Regency-set Negligent Chaperone Series featuring the titles The Heir And The Spare and The Rogue And The Rival.
Her first book, a self-help guide for women entitled Its My Pleasure: A Revolutionary Plan to Free Yourself from Guilt and Create the Life You Want, was co-written with her mother, Maria Rodale. Maya is a graduate of NYUs Gallatin School of In...more
More about Maria Rodale...
Her first book, a self-help guide for women entitled Its My Pleasure: A Revolutionary Plan to Free Yourself from Guilt and Create the Life You Want, was co-written with her mother, Maria Rodale. Maya is a graduate of NYUs Gallatin School of In...more
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