Synopsis
He was the quiet Iowan who waged a silent, crucial battle against mass starvation, changing the course of the twentieth century. Through relentless fieldwork and genetic genius in Mexico, Norman Borlaug developed the revolutionary semi-dwarf wheat that powered the Green Revolution, feeding billions in India, Pakistan, and Latin America and decisively averting catastrophic famine.
This comprehensive biography chronicles the full, demanding life of the man credited with saving more lives than any other figure in history, delving into the intense collaborations, the political tightropes, and the ethical urgency that defined his work, from his Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 to his frustrated campaign in Africa.
Discover his uncompromising field philosophy, the environmental complexities of his legacy, and his urgent warnings against complacency. This is an essential story of science, moral courage, and why the battle Borlaug fought remains the most critical challenge facing the world today.