A rediscovery of the intricate ways in which some ancient civilizations tended the soil, and an account of many pioneers in the modern world who are working on the fringes of science - or even beyond - to develop productive, sustainable uses of land without chemical intervention. This is not merely a book about organic farming, the overall aim is to argue for the vitality gained by achieving harmonious interactions with the planet. The authors also wrote "The Secret Life of Plants".