This book is an excellent comprehensive global review of the history, botany, chemistry, uses, crop production, post-harvest processing, marketing and economics of black pepper and cardamom. It includes 30 elegantly written chapters with 15 chapters assigned to each crop. Detailed information on various agrotechniques, processing methods and marketing strategies in vogue in major black pepper and cardamom growing countries in the world are assembled and well discussed. In both the crops, a realistic malady – remedy analysis with respect to all aspects, right from production to marketing is presented in a fascinating manner. The nutrient buffer power concept and its role in assessing the nutrient availability and formulating fertiliser doses to black pepper and cardamom are well highlighted.

Regarding statistics on production and marketing, more recent data would have been beneficial. Important data could have been represented graphically to facilitate easy understanding. Many of the photographs included are not up to standard and fail to depict correct information to readers.

Editing to avoid factual errors, spelling mistakes and repetition of the same points across chapters could have further improved the merit of the publication. Some of the literature cited in the text is missing in the reference section. Overall, the book is a valuable assemblage of wealth of information on black pepper and cardamom, which will serve as an informative and useful tool for students, scientists, extension workers and policy makers.