World in Want

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Throughout history, the combined forces of drought, war, and political turmoil have left nations reeling from the devastation of famine. This five-in-one volume brings together a powerful collection of famines that struck across continents, each uniquely shaped by its time and context, yet united by the shared human toll of hunger. With vivid storytelling and historical depth, it offers a window into the suffering endured by millions and the broader forces that turned misfortune into catastrophe. The journey begins with the French Revolution's Famine, where economic disparity, poor harvests, and soaring bread prices helped fuel a revolution that would change Europe forever. The second section covers the Indonesian Famine of 1945–1946, a tragedy in the wake of World War II and Japanese occupation, as the nation struggled for independence while battling starvation. The third focuses on the Japanese Famine of 1782–1788, a severe food crisis caused by crop failures and inflation that devastated rural populations during the Edo period. The fourth account examines the South African Famine of 1820, brought on by drought and colonial expansion, leaving native communities vulnerable to displacement and hunger. The final chapter turns to the Swedish Famine of 1867–1869, a cold-weather catastrophe that pushed thousands to emigrate in search of survival. Together, these stories explore how the balance between nature, politics, and economics can quickly unravel, plunging societies into crisis and forever altering their course.