Add BookmarkThe Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
A national bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly simple question: What should we have for dinner? Tracing from source to table each of the food chains that sustain us whether industrial or organic, alternative or processedhe develops a portrait of the American way of eating. The result is a sweeping, surprising exploration of the hungers that have shaped our evolution, and of the prof... (show more)
A national bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly simple question: What should we have for dinner? Tracing from source to table each of the food chains that sustain us whether industrial or organic, alternative or processedhe develops a portrait of the American way of eating. The result is a sweeping, surprising exploration of the hungers that have shaped our evolution, and of the profound implications our food choices have for the health of our species and the future of our planet. (show less)
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Reviews (See all 3,332) Write a reviewfor this
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My family rolls their eyes whenever I start to talk about corn
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A very interesting book that examines the various food chains that supply our meals: industrial, organic (industrial), pastoral, hunter-gatherer. It raises a range of interesting questions regarding the choices we make every day regarding food. Pollan does a great job of not over-simplify complex issues into useless platitudes like "be a vegetarian/vegan" and "buy organic". In fact, he shows the great deal of complex choices we are presented with and the trade-offs that ex... (show more)
A very interesting book that examines the various food chains that supply our meals: industrial, organic (industrial), pastoral, hunter-gatherer. It raises a range of interesting questions regarding the choices we make every day regarding food. Pollan does a great job of not over-simplify complex issues into useless platitudes like "be a vegetarian/vegan" and "buy organic". In fact, he shows the great deal of complex choices we are presented with and the trade-offs that exist in each (i.e buying organic veggies from Chile leaves a much greater footprint on the environment that buying local meat, even if it is not organic). He also shows what true farming (vice industrial food commodity productions) is and highlights the ways that a properly run farm can benifit the environment.
Bottom line, a fine book that illustrates what makes up a true food chain and takes a hard look at the ethical, environmental and social implications of the industrial production of food. I won't say that it will change the way you eat, but it certainly adds a degree of consciousness to the decisions make regarding the consumption of food. (show less)
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I loved this book with the exception of the last section "Personal", but there were still parts of that section that I loved. Life changing in the way that Fast Food Nation made me readdress my eating habits, this book actually made me delve deeper into that area of my life, but without the bitterness and sarcasm of "Nation". It was enough to make me renew my co-op membership and not think twice about it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Benjamin Bell about 1 month ago -
This was educational for me. A little more than I bargained for because Pollan doesn't just critique the agro-industrial complex. I learned a lot about the food chain and the complexities of it. Every foodie should read this one.
Deena about 1 month ago -
I wish there was a required reading list for life. This book would be on the list and then a whole lot of fecal spam would be removed from our food chain.
Favorite quote from the book: "We're going to have to refight the Battle of the Little BigHorn to preserve the right to opt-out [of the industrial food chain], or your grandchildren and mine will have no choice but to eat amalgamated, irradiated, genetically prostituted, bar coded, adulterated fecal spam from the centralized processing conglomerate."
Kristine Sharp Carafelli about 1 month ago -
Corn
I grew up in Iowa and felt I knew some of these corn-planting stories as local successes or failures, but the global impact is now undeniable. Who will be brave enough to change the way we farm and modify or end the subsidies that kicked off the corn boom in the 1970's?
Betsy McDowell about 1 year ago
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