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Growing a Revolution  By  cover art

Growing a Revolution

By: David R. Montgomery
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
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Publisher's summary

The problem of agriculture is as old as civilization. Throughout history, great societies that abused their land withered into poverty or disappeared entirely. Now we risk repeating this ancient story on a global scale due to ongoing soil degradation, a changing climate, and a rising population. But there is reason for hope. David R. Montgomery introduces us to farmers around the world at the heart of a brewing soil health revolution that could bring humanity's ailing soil back to life remarkably fast.

Growing a Revolution draws on visits to farms in the industrialized world and developing world to show that a new combination of farming practices can deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions to problems farmers face today. Montgomery explores why practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture help restore soil health and fertility. In addition, he discusses how these practices translate into farms that use less water, generate less pollution, and lower carbon emissions. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science, Growing a Revolution lays out a solid case for an inspiring vision where agriculture becomes the solution to environmental problems.

©2017 David R. Montgomery (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Montgomery's fascinating exposé of how our food is grown will convince readers that soil health should not remain an under-the-radar issue and that we all benefit from embracing a new philosophy of farming." ( Kirkus)

What listeners say about Growing a Revolution

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Disappointing, This book is far too preachy/ political on global warming, and big ag to the point I almost stopped listening. I ranch and really could care less about global warming scam and how big ag runs the show ( I already know big ag runs things) . I am trying to make a living and looking for ways to improve my soil and profitability without going broke doing so or reinventing the wheel. Solid ideas and solutions not politics is what was looking for. If you live in town and want to.be lectured this is the book for you.

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27 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

An ecological educational treasure!

What did you love best about Growing a Revolution?

This book is the best of the genre I have ever read. The complete story of the critical aspects of returning carbon to the soil and protecting soil fertility and the situation we are in now
which is destroying good soil at an unprecedented rate.
This book is important for ecologists as well as farm and food individuals and groups and activists.
our soil its our foundation and physical and mental health depends on food nutrients
I suggest this book to anyone wanting to understand the broad spectrum of soil fertility and food protection and also the critical need for us to all contribute to reversing the soil through diligence and networking

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16 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Quite redundant, but good information.

Don't till, don't till, don't till and compost, compost, compost. That pretty much sums up the whole book, plus plant cover crops like legumes to help build the nitrogen in your soil.

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12 people found this helpful

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A little dry. A little repetitive. 100% worth it.

I'm not sure there's a narrator out there that could make soil health sound particularly captivating, and however dry, the book's message has to be repetitive to get through to us. So, the narrator may sound a little dry and the book may seem to repeat a lot, but I think both are necessary evils to really push the importance of soil health in modern agriculture. Overall a great audio book. I think this book is enhanced in audio form, because you can gloss over every now and then when it's no your cup of tea (especially the more scientific jargon-y areas), but not lose interest. I'm not an active farmer, but hope to become one soon. No matter what, though, this book opened my eyes to the reality that is soil health, and that makes all the difference.

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10 people found this helpful

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excellent and thorough

I completely changed my cover crop plan and ordered new seed (multi-speciated) today. Enough said.

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7 people found this helpful

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Amazing data is reported well.

This information could save many farms, those farms' soils, and ecosystems containing those farms from the current standard practices of supplementing soils with deleterious additives. The data is in. Let us regenerate soils.

Note there is a regenerative organic certification being developed by the Rodale Institute with the NSF.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Very repetitive

Interesting and important topic, excellent argument, but superficial on the science, and highly repetitive. Worth the listen, but requires patience.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Progressive

Good book for up and coming farmers and something to consider for the seasoned conventional farmer looking to better the land for the next-generation.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thank you David Montgomery!

Insightful and informative perspective on the importance of re-evaluating our agricultural practices. Inspiring and hopeful!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Imperative.

I hope that his ability to communicate so clearly on the topic allows for widespread understanding and adoption.

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3 people found this helpful