Agriculture has long been a vital factor in the economic growth of Haiti, once considered the jewel of the Antilles. With its burgeoning agricultural development, why does the country suffer nearly unparalleled poverty? This is the question asked and answered in Dr. Arché Jean's scholarly and very compelling book. What the author calls 'an empirical study' reaches into the heart of the country, exploring its development and what are, or should be, the political, social, technical and economic manifestations of an agrarian society. Dr. Jean evaluates the extensive literature written on agriculture and development economics and applies these findings to his own studies of Haiti. His study reveals fascinating information about Haitian macroeconomics and how it has failed a large part of the Haitian population. His comprehensive study into the productivity history of the rural sector of Haitian life answers the question: What are the true sources of poverty? Finally, Dr. Jean calls for a new social contract designed to return to all inhabitants the dignity and economic foothold they so richly deserve