As an idealistic college frosh choking on tear gas during the 1999 WTO protests, I only wish Id had a cadre leader like Raj Patel. The English author has serious academic credentials (Oxford) and activist street cred (yes, he was here for the Battle in Seattle). Both figure in Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System (Melville House, $19.95), which charts the discrepancy between our ever-growing Western midriffs and the vast number of people in the world who still dont know where their next meal will come from. With grain prices at record levels, Patels message is now terribly relevant. And it doesnt hurt that the handsome messenger has soulful, compassionate eyes that look just beyond the horizon, and a shock of gorgeous hair he just cant be bothered to tame with rainforest-killing styling goop. (Sigh.) Does anyone know if hes single? Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., 624-6600, www.elliottbay book.com. 4:30 p.m. Sat., May 10. LAURA ONSTOT
Thu., May 8, 4:30 p.m.; Sat., May 10, 6:30 p.m., 2008
