A Revolution Down on the Farm: The Transformation of American Agriculture since 1929

This is a great book for insight into how dramatically farming has changed in a relatively short time. Conkin does a masterful job of weaving together historic details, technology, and personal reminiscence to highlight the dynamics that drove the series of agricultural revolutions that started in the 1930s. Excellent read, if you're interested in this aspect of how our world came to be the way it is today.

Great history and I'm 25 third generation farmer and I like how the book starts out in the 1930s and brings us up to the modern times of farming.

In this informative and well-written history of American agriculture over the last century the author weaves into his descriptions and summaries of the sometimes mind-numbing federal farm policies his personal recollections of life on a mid-20th century diversified family farm in east Tennessee. I would highly recommend this book as a fine introduction to our contemporary agricultural system. I have read it cover to cover twice and come back to it frequently as a resource. But it is not without faults. Published in 2008, some of the content (particularly with respect to the rise of the food movement and the economics of industrial agriculture) has become dated. The book would have benefited from consideration of the effect industrial agriculture has had on health in our culture, and while the author was generally balanced and fair in his assessment of government's role in agriculture, I found his review of alternative agriculture in the final chapter to be unfairly dismissive. Even with those objections, I am unaware of any better history of this subject.

Conkin has surprisingly broad knowledge of many aspects of American agriculture. A very enjoyable read as someone who grew up and worked on a farm in the 1950s and 60s.

A interesting history of American agriculture,well researched and well written.I would have rated it higher but it was a little bit to political,which took away from the final product.

I found this book to be a complete view of farming and offered information on the history of farming and the laws which affect it, as well as the current application of federal regulations. Highly recommended for anyone in agriculture or farming.

A good broad overview of American farming practices and policy and the history of how it developed. Good read for someone new to farming.

Great, balanced history of American agriculture with a little bit of everything, personal farm experience, science and technology, organic vs conventional foods. Particularly deep on policy history which may require re-reading to fully appreciate for this non-social scientist.