For every calorie in those corn flakes you ate this morning, if that indeed is your habit and preference, the planet expended ten calories of hydrocarbon energy. Feel guilty yet? Without fossil fuels artificial fertilizer, pesticides and energy to irrigate the US can sustain only about two thirds of its present population. Feel alarmed yet? Independent journalist and geologist Pfeiffer analyzes the experiences of Cuba and North Korea with agriculture not based on hydrocarbon resources. He details the degradation of land and water, the hidden costs of current food production, the inevitable collapse of hydrocarbon-based agriculture, the efforts to create sustainable systems by Cuba and North Korea, and activities people can do now to change the system and their dependence upon it. Pfeiffer concludes by encouraging strong grassroots support of localized, sustainable agriculture and reduction of the population. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)