'This thoughtful history of humanitarianism links three case studies, all involving original research, to an analytical-historical framework for understanding famine relief, whereby the ad hoc efforts of the nineteenth century gave way in turn to more bureaucratized relief (c. 1900-1970) and the more aggressive, media-driven humanitarianism of the present. Well-written and clever, it should attract a broad readership, including policy-makers and civil society activists.' Cormac Ó Gráda, author of Famine: A Short History and co-editor of Famine in European History