Cradle to Cradle

Remaking the Way We Make Things

by William McDonough & Michael Braungart

Ominivoir's Dilemma

A Natural History of Four Meals

by Michael Pollan

Michael Pollan tries to answer the question... "What's for dinner?" in the book The Omnivoir's Dilemma. His research is impeccable and his storytelling compelling. During his journey Pollan exposes what is wrong with how we now process food. The early chapters discuss corn, or zea mays, as a case in point. He explains how huge companies like ADM and Cargill not only own the distribution channels of corn from farmer to consumer but also how they have the power to influence the government.

Oil On the Brain

Petroleum's Long, Strange Trip to Your Tank

by Lisa Margonelli


This 2007 book with 2008 epilogue by the author is increasingly relevant as time goes on. Lisa Margonelli travels to the places where oil is drilled and processed and delivered to your car. She uncovers the mysteries with the intent of enlightening her readers about what it means to burn gas.