The Man Who Fed The World

From the Archives

Previously filed under: Book and Film Reviews
This biography delves into the life of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug, and his untiring effort to relieve world hunger.
The Man Who Fed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger , Leon Hesser
Durban House (August 1, 2006), 297 pages.

From the day he was born in 1914, Norman Borlaug has been an enigma. How could a child of the Iowa prairie, who attended a one-teacher, one-room school; who flunked the university entrance exam; and whose highest ambition was to be a high school science teacher and athletic coach, ultimately achieve the distinction as one of the one hundred most influential persons of the twentieth century? And receive the Nobel Peace Prize for averting hunger and famine? And eventually be hailed as the man who saved hundreds of millions of lives from starvation--more than any other person in history?

What is it that made Norman Borlaug different? What drove him? What can we--especially our youth--learn from his life?

Those questions are answered in Leon Hesser's authorized biography, The Man Who Fed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger (Durban House Publishing, September 2006, hardcover, $24.95) In the book's foreword, Dr. Borlaug's good friend and fellow Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter wrote, "Since 1986, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Norman Borlaug in sub-Saharan Africa where, in spite of AIDS, endemic malaria and other maladies, populations are increasing faster than food supplies. I have witnessed first-hand the reverence that thousands upon thousands of Africans have for Dr. Borlaug's untiring efforts to relieve their hunger. I commend Leon Hesser for making more people aware of the remarkable life and achievements of this American hero."

In addition to an earned Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Borlaug has been awarded more than fifty honorary doctorates from institutions in eighteen countries. At age 91, Borlaug made three trips during 2005 to Africa and one each to India and Argentina in his continuing efforts to relieve hunger. During each fall semester, he serves as Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture at Texas A&M University.




Book review contributed by Diana Oleskow, a publicist. Reprinted with permission from The African Executive.

To read another Global Envision article, see Hungry Nations Demand the Truth About GMO's and Food Aid.



Return to top

Click the icon to buy books from Amazon.com.
A portion of your proceeds will go to support Global Envision.



Stories We're Watching

As Africa's consumers rise, so does inequality

Yale Global Online - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:17
Kenya struggles to spread the wealth from rapid growth.

U.N. says famine in Somalia over, but risks remain

New York Times - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 22:56
A bumper harvest and a surge in emergency food aid have ended a famine in Somalia that killed tens of thousands of people, the United Nations said on Friday.

Looking forward, Fiji turns to its canoeing past

International Herald Tribune - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 23:27
The traditional canoe is at the center of several projects aimed at reducing Fiji’s energy consumption, providing islanders with cheaper transport, keeping local traditions alive, and giving a boost to tourism.

The 6 questions that lead to new innovations

Fast Company's Co.Exist - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 07:00
It is often said that innovation is at the core of sustainability, but turning that abstract idea into action isn’t always easy. How do true innovators actually make the leap from status quo to full-on disruption?

Brazil deepens strategic cooperation with Cuba

Inter Press Service - development - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 12:11
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's visit to Cuba served to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, leverage the South American giant's investments in the Caribbean island, and deepen political ties.

Recent comments

Countries

An initiative of Mercy Corps
“You must be the change
you wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi
Learn more about Mercy Corps >

Efficiency

Over the last five years, more than 89% of Mercy Corps' resources have been allocated directly to programs

Excellence

America's premier charity evaluator gives Mercy Corps four stars in organizational efficiency. Click here to learn more.

High Value

Every dollar you donate to Mercy Corps helps us secure $11.16 in donated food and other critical supplies.

Mercy Corps — Dept. W — 45 SW Ankeny — Portland, OR 97204
All original content Copyright © 2009 Mercy Corps. Quoted and linked content is property of the creator(s). Mercy Corps will not sell, rent or trade your personal information.