The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Ratings136
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings136
Average rating4.1
Today, buffeted by one food fad after another, America is suffering from what can only be described as a national eating disorder. Will it be fast food tonight, or something organic? Or perhaps something we grew ourselves? The question of what to have for dinner has confronted us since man discovered fire. But as Michael Pollan explains in this revolutionary book, how we answer it now, at the dawn of the twenty-first century, may determine or survival as a species. Packed with profound surprises, The Omnivore's Dilemma is changing the way Americans think about the politics, perils, and pleasures of eating.
--back cover
Reviews with the most likes.
It's always a good sign to me when I just can't stop talking about things I learn while reading a book. It's also a good sign when a book makes me want to change my life, or at least understand something about my life better. The Omnivore's Dilemma made my want to find a small, closed-loop farm where I could buy all my food from now on. Alas, I haven't quite gotten there, but I am much more aware of what I eat and where it comes from, even as someone who was very thoughtful about the environmental impact of my food before reading the book. The writing is thorough but approachable, and I enjoyed the structure of the book looking at three different food systems.
Good book - very inspiring. I like the practical, realistic approach.
I did not like this book as much as I expected. The first section was almost unbearable - a long, depressing, science lesson about corn. The rest of the book was much better. I especially enjoyed the hunting/foraging section's vivid details and interesting discussion of animals rights. Basically the purpose of this book is to horrify and shame the American public, and in that regard it is pretty successful (it certainly worked on me). Is it a good read, though? Meh.
I started this one again recently, having not made it past the first section on corn. Now I'm to the part where he's about to go pig-hunting. It's great. But it's a tough read because it's hard to ignore changes in my life that need to happen.
