"Winders's book has several strong points or innovations in agricultural policy analysis. First, the commodity-based approach is an insightful and interesting unifying framework that nicely ties together political, technological, and economic elements. Winders does well to remind current readers how farm commodities--and associated political power--were regionally intense. Another strength is the linking of the corn-wheat-cotton commodity framework to the global economy. Fully comprehending this framework requires understanding a U.S. food regime built on export subsidies and food aid. A third strength is Winders's in-depth analysis of congressional votes and hearings, which ultimately demonstrates that within-segment politics are at least as important as general party politics.

"--Edward C. Jaenicke, American Journal of Sociology.