The Food of the Gods and How it Came to Earth

by H.G . Wells

Dover, 192 pp, $6.95

Food of the Gods and How it Came to Earth is one of H.G. Wells’ lesser known works, published in 1904.

A pair of scholarly scientists stumble onto a way to make food grow faster and bigger which will help meet the growing needs of society’s appetite. But when folks try the new food on children, it is soon apparent that the children are growing bigger and smarter . Soon society is split by food-borne distrust.

Written satirically, the book is entertaining as we deal with social commentary relevant to the current genetic engineering and ethics debate. - Pam Allan