The Soil and Health: A Study of Organic Agriculture (Culture of the Land), Albert Howard - Amazon.com
During his years as a scientist working for the British government in India, Sir Albert Howard conceived of and refined the principles of organic agriculture. Howard's The Soil and Health became a seminal and inspirational text in the organic movement soon after its publication in 1945. The Soil and Health argues that industrial agriculture, emergent in Howard's era and dominant today, disrupts the delicate balance of nature and irrevocably robs the soil of its fertility. Howard's classic treatise links the burgeoning health crises facing crops, livestock, and humanity to this radical degradation of the Earth's soil. His message -- that we must respect and restore the health of the soil for the benefit of future generations -- still resonates among those who are concerned about the effects of chemically enhanced agriculture.
Editorial Reviews
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"This is one of the great classics of the organic farming movement. This legacy ought to be better remembered and understood." ―Wes Jackson, author of Becoming Native to This Place"
"Howard realized decades ago that chemical fertilizers and synthetic herbicides and pesticides deplete the soil, which leads to public health problems, including disease and environmental destruction. . . Thankfully, the University Press of Kentucky has recently reprinted Howard's 'The Soil and Health.' Originally published in 1945, the book largely inspired out modern-day organic movement. The time has come to re-think Howard's words, especially in light of recent research showing what's in organically grown food might matter as much as the missing synthetic pesticide and herbicide residues."―Melinda Hemmelgarn, Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune"
"A no-jargon, no-ostentation, no-fooling-around book that is as relevant as it was when it was first published in 1947. If some of us can take from it that the basic concepts or organic agriculture are timeless―simple and "organic"―then this reprint has done its job." ―Claus Sproll, Lilipoh"―
From the Publisher
WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY WENDELL BERRY
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Product details
File Size: 5840 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (September 29, 2010)
Publication Date: September 29, 2010
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Top Reviews
J. Christensen
5.0 out of 5 starsResearch is CyclicalMay 16, 2016
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I remember many years ago in college that I was surprised by how much research is cyclical. Previous research is challenged by one generation and then rediscovered by the next generation. Much of what is written in this book is now being rediscovered as the latest organic farming and gardening methods. There is different technology today, but the new things being discovered differ very little from what is written in this book which is based upon hands on research that was done many decades ago.
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Jennie Brabec
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book does not have $ value---it is PRICELESS, beyond any priceJuly 12, 2010
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[[ASIN:0813191718 The Soil and Health: A Study of Organic Agriculture (Culture of the Land)]
Robert Rodale dedicated the September,1948 issue of ORGANIC GARDENING as a memorial to Albert Howard . I made this note from that issue, "The purpose of this book is threefold:to record my own observations and reflections, which have accumulated during some forty-five years, on the occurance and prevention of disease, to establish the thesis that most disease can be traced to am impoverished soil, which leads to imperfectly synthesized protein in the green leaf and finally to the breakdown of those protective arrangements which Nature has designed for us." Howard's preface.
Also from my notes, "The quality of our food and health decreases each year. In 1995the USA ranked 17th in life expectancy, in 10000 we ranked 24th. Countries are not ranked 17th in life expectancy on the internet at WHO Statistical Information System. Dr. Christopher Murray, MD,PhD of Who has this to say,"Basically you die earlier and spend more time sidabled if you are an American rather than a member of most other developed countries"
A God bless you to Wendell Barry for your introduction. I am still haunted by your UNSETTLING OF AMERICA;CULTURE AND AGRICULTURE which I read many years ago.
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Abraham
5.0 out of 5 starsBest Hidden Secret from AgronomistsAugust 12, 2012
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Sir Howard is truthfully the beginer of the organic movement if there is such a thing, most important is his critical analysis of the begining of the industrial agriculture and it's impact on our health. It is quite sad that this kind of literature is not compulsive for agronomy degrees, even for biologist, but we deserve to educate ourselves holistically on the impact of our decisions and of those that direct politics in the food chain.
It's outmost surprising that so early there was someone with a clear eye of the root of many health problems: the health of out soils.
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Binyamin Klempner
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is an essential book that all serious farmers and ...March 21, 2015
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This is an essential book that all serious farmers and gardeners should read and have on their shelves. According to Wendel Berry, it is the book that has shaped his philosophy on agriculture more than any other.
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veteran
5.0 out of 5 starsare you what you eat?May 17, 2013
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this is an excellent book on the benefits of organic gardening. examples of the issues that accompany exhausting your soil as well as examples of issues that accompany using artificial fertilizers on your soil. pretty fast read. anyone interested in gardening/farming, health, world ecology in general should read this book.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsA 'must read' for anyone concerned with organic consumerism and ...October 27, 2014
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A 'must read' for anyone concerned with organic consumerism and their health. Sir Albert was a British agricultural scientist working in the early twentieth century and is considered the father of organic farming and composting. He conducted experiments that clearly show the health and economic advantages of organic farming.
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Helen Lyons
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsApril 28, 2016
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Excellent!
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Siri Erickson-Brown
5.0 out of 5 starsWhy does soil matter? Read this firstMarch 2, 2009
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Jared Diamond and others have written about how civilizations have destroyed themselves by exploiting their soils. Sir Albert Howard said the same thing, but he said it 100 years ago. Howard was the father of the modern organic, holistic farming movement. This book is incredibly readable and will change how you think about food, soil, and the fate of civilization.
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