WIZARD AND THE PROPHET (HCVR)

from m.belljackson

Charles Mann seeks to examine the solutions offered by two opposing scientists, William Vogt and Norman Borlaug, on how to provide food, water, and shelter for the projected 10 billion people on earth in the year 2050 without wrecking the earth. Or is it too late?

from ohernaes

Two approaches to growing population and increased pressure on various resources: Wizards see innovation technological and scientific solutions, Prophets believe in restraint and cutting back. These two schools are represented by the agronomist Norman Borlaug, father of the green revolution (in p...

from kukulaj

This is largely parallel biographies of William Vogt and Norman Borlaug. Vogt is the prophet, warning us of looming catastrophe from a growing human population hitting planetary limits. Borlaug is the wizard, finding ways to make better use of planetary resources to feed a growing human populatio...

from grandpahobo

Charles Mann is an excellent author of history. He is very thorough while still being extremely readable. He has a rare ability to make the subject more interesting as you go, so that the deeper you get into the book, the more you want to read.

from Stbalbach

The Wizard and the Prophet is about two men with competing visions for the future. The first is a Wizard. He sees the solution in ever more technology (think GMOs and nuclear power). The other is a Prophet. He sees the problems of humanity arising from too much technology with the solution to wor...