Stuffed and Starved

The Hidden Battle for the World Food System

By: Raj Patel

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

It's a perverse fact of modern life: There are more starving people in the world than ever before, while there are also more people who are overweight.

To find out how we got to this point and what we can do about it, Raj Patel launched a comprehensive investigation into the global food network. It took him from the colossal supermarkets of California to India's wrecked paddy-fields and Africa's bankrupt coffee farms, while along the way he ate genetically engineered soy beans and dodged flying objects in the protestor-packed streets of South Korea.

What he found was shocking, from the false choices given us by supermarkets to a global epidemic of farmer suicides, and real reasons for famine in Asia and Africa.

Yet he also found great cause for hope-in international resistance movements working to create a more democratic, sustainable and joyful food system. Going beyond ethical consumerism, Patel explains, from seed to store to plate, the steps to regain control of the global food economy, stop the exploitation of both farmers and consumers, and rebalance global sustenance.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Raj Patel (P)2018 Tantor

Unexpected and Inspiring

I had to read this book for my urban agriculture class. It sums up the problems we face in society and solutions, so that we can make changes.

Loaded with good information

The one question I ask myself after having read a book now is, “am I better because of it?” It’s a resounding yes for this book.

For anybody interested in food and geopolitical history will find tons of good information and ideas that you were un aware of. A huge insight for me was the degree of consolidation of power and unfair treatment that marks big food.

It’s dense at times, but stick this one. You will unearth gold (trends, stats, insights) that will enrich your understanding of the colossal positioning of big food with ideas on how to reclaim our “food sovereignty.”

Thanks, Raj. I picked this one up at Barnes & Noble in the agriculture section. Glad I did!

Incredible. well written and comprehensive

This book completely changed my perspective of modern global food systems. Each point was deeply researched and written into a comprehensive story of how our food systems operate. It was a good mix of statistical analysis and anecdotes of real peoples views and experiences. The conclusion was well written and leaves the reader with a clear picture of the issues with global food trade and a vision of how to change it.