This book investigates the historical development of nitrogen fixation and its foundational role in enabling permanent human settlement and agricultural productivity. G. J. Leigh, a chemist, utilizes his technical background to bridge the gap between molecular science and human history. He argues that the transition from nomadic existence to sedentary civilization was contingent upon the human ability to manage soil fertility through nitrogen management. The text provides a framework for understanding how early agricultural techniques evolved into the systems that sustain modern global populations.

Readers frequently note the accessible nature of the chemical explanations provided by the author. Experts highlight this as a useful synthesis for those interested in the intersection of environmental history and agricultural science.