Book excerpt: A critical review of the history of capitalism and socialism in relation to agriculture, reexamining the role of agriculture in political economy using ecological, historical, humanist, institutionalist, and Marxist methodologies. Suggests ways in which the original socialist project of developing a theory of political economy, which was sidetracked by industrialism, can be rejuvenated, using England as a case study. For students in environment and political science. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR