Can we imagine a world where, like days of old, the bulk of our needs are supplied from farms and factories right in our local area? The obvious benefit of such a scenario is a potentially world-saving reduction in energy consumption just for starters. Today we freight goods enormous distances (at great expense - financially and environmentally). Michael Shuman's new book, The Small-Mart Revolution, offers facts, ideas and motivation towards such a goal -- showing local industries how they can compete profitably with the big name brands. Read some web-published thoughts from this interesting author, or read an independent blurb on the book.