This book claims to be ‘the first of its kind’, a ‘unique and exhaustive compilation’ about energy crops. It is presented in three untitled sections, the first of which deals with ‘general concepts and concerns’ encompassing genetic improvement, the use of model plants to understand cell wall recalcitrance, fuel production, value chains, life cycle assessment (LCA) and ecological issues; the second covers ‘commercialised energy crops’, including oil, sugar, starch and lignocellulosic crops, from annual food crops to trees. The final section consists of ‘emerging crops or their groups’, including the model plant Brachypodium, and a chapter on organic farm waste and municipal sludge.

The book is indeed extensive, at 824 pages, with some chapters containing excellent contributions to their individual areas. However, the title is misleading, given the inclusion of model plants, waste streams and several chapters on engineering, and the layout is somewhat confusing. There is no overall introduction or conclusion, and no apparent flow to the chapters. While the content is extremely diverse, it is far from exhaustive; the omission of a chapter dedicated to Miscanthus, one of the major lignocellulosic crops of Europe and beyond, is a bizarre oversight, especially since it is discussed in the first three chapters.

In conclusion, this is no doubt an interesting book containing some fascinating expert reviews; however, its value is diminished by a lack of focus and clarity, and the omission of several key crops and major concepts such as what determines which crops should be planted where and for what.