The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser

The Man Who Fed the World is a book by Leon Hesser that follows the extraordinary life of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Norman Borlaug. This is the inspiring story of a man who dedicated his life to the preservation of food and agriculture, as well as fighting world hunger.

Norman Borlaug was born on a farm in the small town of Cresco, Iowa in 1914. During his childhood years, he planted, tended and harvested crops with his father. He was naturally drawn to the sciences and enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota.

During his studies, Borlaug developed a keen interest in soil fertility and plant disease. After graduating in 1937, he went to work for the Rockefeller Foundation and traveled to Mexico. There he encountered a farming system on the brink of collapse due to drought, pest infestations, and soil erosion. Borlaug sought to improve crop yields in Mexico with cross-breeding, irrigation and fertilizers.

Borlaug's efforts paid off and soon he was able to increase crop yields in Mexico by a staggering 159%. Eventually, the work of Borlaug spread beyond Mexico and the technology that he developed became known as the "Green Revolution." This revolution was credited with saving millions of lives.

Many countries were now applying Borlaug's technology, yet countries like India and Pakistan still faced an impending food crisis in 1966. Norman Borlaug traveled there and began his mission to triple the wheat yields in the two countries to prevent drastic famines. Borlaug taught farmers how to grow wheat more efficiently, introduced effective irrigation and treated the sick soil from generations of over-cultivation.

Despite numerous obstacles, Borlaug's passion for agriculture eventually persevered. He successfully tripled wheat production in India and Pakistan, much to the delight of the people in these countries. The feat that Borlaug had accomplished was acknowledged globally when he received the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the only agricultural scientist to have received this prestigious honor.

The Man Who Fed the World is Leon Hesser’s homage to Norman Borlaug and his quest to save countless lives. It gives us a glimpse into Borlaug’s life and work and it is a reminder that even the smallest of actions can have a huge impact on the world.

The story of Norman Borlaug's incredible achievements should never be forgotten, and The Man Who Fed the World is a fantastic tribute to this remarkable man. It is a heart-warming and inspiring read that emphasizes the fact that one person can make a difference and can positively influence the lives of so many.