The number of books published on global sustainability has increased dramatically in recent years. These range from paperbacks produced for mass market consumption right through to more academic texts, many of which target specific sectors (e.g. socio-political systems, business, food production, conservation, waste, etc.). This book by Nielson et al. takes a high level academic assessment of sustainability in its broadest sense, taking a holistic view of the subject area. The book seeks to challenge our often preconceived ideas of ‘sustainability’ and exposes real weaknesses in the concept. For example, we often talk about sustainable agricultural systems, but rarely do we consider the wider implications of this on society and the subsequent economic, political and environmental ramifications outside of agriculture. This book clearly states the need for joined up thinking.

The book is well suited to those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of sustainability across a broad range of disciplines. Examples of issues covered include GMOs, man-made chemicals, food production, mental health, transport, nature conservation and political governance. At the end of the book, all of the issues highlighted throughout the text are subsequently brought together in a concluding chapter which aims to set the future direction for strategic thinking in this area. This will prove particularly useful for policy-makers and researchers who wish to think wider than their specific field. In summary, if you are looking for a book about agricultural sustainability in its narrowest sense then you would better off looking elsewhere. However, if you wish to explore the wider debate in which agriculture sits then this is the book for you.