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| Author: Michael Pollan
Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $11.84
You Save: $10.11 (46%)
New (78) Used (32) Collectible (5) from $10.33
Avg. Customer Rating:  192 reviews
Sales Rank: 112
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 1594201455
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.2
EAN: 9781594201455
ASIN: 1594201455
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Powerful Message October 30, 2008
This book is an examination of the Western diet and health. In his previous book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Pollan described his personal experiences in taking the challenge of re-connecting with food. In the present book, Pollan explores some of the themes that he uncovered with his increased interest in food, such as where food comes from, and why we eat it. The book is divided into 3 parts: The Age of Nutritionism, The Western Diet and the Diseases of Civilization, and Getting over Nutritionism. Pollan argues that food processors and industry groups have used scientific findings on nutrition to further their own financial interests rather than safeguard our health. As a result of "educational" campaigns on nutrition, we follow a misguided program of obsessing over individual nutrients, enriched ingredients, and supplements, when what we really should be eating is a variety of unprocessed foods in reasonable amounts.
The book is quite engaging to read, as well as informative. Pollan consulted numerous scientific articles when researching this book. Sources are provided at the end of the book, divided by chapter and topic; many are also available online at the author's website. Following the publication of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Pollan has become a leader and spokesperson for the localvore movement, in which consumers are urged to shorten the food supply chain and eat food that is produced close to home. In the present book, Pollan presents both a guideline and justification for such local eating: "Shake the hand that feeds you." He points out that direct connections between food producers and food consumers help producers keep in mind that real people will be eating their foods (thus, the food needs to be healthy, clean, free of pesticides and other contaminants), and help consumers keep in mind that real people have grown their food (and need to be compensated fairly and held accountable for their growing practices). Such a guideline makes much more sense than the arbitrary distance limits popular in localvore literature (limit your diet to foods grown within a 100 mile radius of where you live). In formulating such a simple guideline, Pollan has distilled the true intention of the localvore movement into a catchphrase that is both meaningful and easy to remember. This is only one of the many simple guidelines Pollan proposes in this book as alternatives to the ones we hear in the media about fat, cholesterol, and vitamins. The book is very thought-provoking and informative, wherever you are in your relationship to food.
very very pleased October 30, 2008
The book is a "must have" for everyone. It provides extremely useful insights and the information it contains is important for the continuation of one's overall health. Once you read the book your outlook and actions around food will never be the same and you will understand how this country came to be in such a sorry state of health for such a wealthy nation.
 Some Good Ideas, Too Much Evolution October 24, 2008
2 out of 19 found this review helpful
I always enjoy books that make vegetables appetizing. It's great to be reminded to eat good food. Unfortunately, this book was sprinkled throughout with doses of evolution. I thought the claim that our ancestors spontaneously produced vitamin C in their bodies was a real stretch. I could do without the made-up stuff.
in defense of food October 24, 2008
An excellent book. Something everyone should read who is concerned about the quality of the food they eat. Very informative and well written.
Full of information! October 22, 2008
This book reminds you of what you probably already know and seems to point out the obvious but it may be just the kick in the butt you need to change unhealthy eating! It is amazing and full of facts and information that back up the theory "eat food, not too much, mostly plants". Sounds simple but this book points out what is actually "food" and what is an "edible" and most things on the grocery shelf are not FOOD! Easy to read and easy to follow. Makes me feel good about investing that extra dollar into the healthier choice. I reccomend this to EVERYONE!
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