Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations

Not many non-fiction books can be described as “thrillers” or “page turners”. This book certainly can be. Authors Evan Fraser and Andrew Rimas write this book to explore a simple premise: Food is a historical, environmental, social and political force. Every civilization is but a product of the food they grow and the food surpluses they trade. So what happens when this food system — or food empire — breaks down?

The book spans across history and explores this premise with stories from Mayan farmers, the Roman Empire, the Greeks, the colonial powers and their subordinates, all the way to the modern industrial agriculture. In all of these stories, certain elements are common. Elements like how hyper-specialization of agriculture among regions that feed a larger and larger population can break apart because of one or two unforeseen and uncontrollable events. Events like environmental limits in fertility, or climate change. The book is highly relevant today, considering the environmental threats the world’s agriculture and food trade faces.

The Winning of the Carbon War: Power and Politics on the front lines of Climate and Clean Energy

Written in a journal entry style, this is an enjoyable read that tugs several emotions throughout the book. Leggett takes you through his journey with Carbon Tracker as they convince the world of the “carbon bubble” and the increasing risk of stranded assets because of climate change and climate responsive policies. There are several jubilant moments as Leggett writes about his team’s many wins, as well as the rapid strides he sees the renewable energy industry takes in the early and mid 2010s. But also be ready to see the dirty side of this energy transition, as the “energy incumbents” — the coal, oil and gas industry — do whatever they can to protect their turf. The book describes the intense tussle of the energy industry through much of the 2010s, giving vivid insights into the politics and lobbying that surrounds the climate movement. No wonder Laggett calls it “a carbon war”.

The Hidden Life of Trees

Plants and trees feel. They can experience pain. They communicate and socialize. They take care of each other share water and nutrients. You remember how awful isolation was during the pandemic? Well, trees feel lonely when isolated too. Plants and trees share an intimate relationship with themselves and the environment they live in. They are shaped, and in turn, shape this environment for better or worse.

The last 20-30 years have been groundbreaking in botanical and forestry research, providing several amazing insights into plant physiology and their social dynamics. In this delightful and heartwarming book, Peter Wohlleben shares this research through simple storytelling, sharing several anecdotes of his rich experiences as a forester in Germany. While educational, the book is light-hearted and does not feel like non-fiction at all! You will never see plant life the same way after reading this book.