Fields of Glass

'This is a terrific book – theoretically incisive and empirically rich. It uses the fascinating story of UK glasshouse agrifood production since World War II to lucidly explore the complex interplay between value chain dynamics, labour regimes and notions of food security across multiple scales and timeframes. In so doing, it develops a sophisticated theoretical framework with much wider implications for our understanding of the articulations of labour, ecology and technology in contemporary capitalism.' Neil Coe, Professor of Economic Geography, The University of Sydney 'A powerful account of development and change in UK glasshouse agrifoood production and value chains. Spanning over 70 years of the glasshouse industry, Adrian Smith draws on his rigorous archival and interview-based research to historicise and theorise relationships among growers, workers, the UK government, technological change and the ecological processes upon which we all depend. He shows how these 'agrarian biopolitical articulations' underpin the food economy, paying special attention to the often obscured but integral role of migrant labourers.' Liam Campling, Queen Mary University of London, and author of Capitalism and the Sea