AUTHOR: Michael Pollan
PUBLISHER: Penguin
PUBLISHED DATE: April 11, 2006
ISBN: 978-1594200823
PAGES: 464
This was a very interesting book to read while grilling out this July 4th weekend.
I read this book as part of AudioSYNC's free audiobook of the week duo (Week 9). It's been on my "to-read" list for a while, so I was really excited to read it. It's a deeply engrossing read, and because it deals with something dear to all of our hearts: food, it touches at the very heart of all of us and challenges how we live.
I really had a lot of respect for the amount of research and on the ground footwork the author did in preparation of this book. Will it change my food politics? Doubtful. There is a bit of pretension weaved throughout this book. How many people get to go on a food exploration and hunt and gather food? Who has time to do this? If you live in an urban center - is this even possible? The most you can hope for is a container garden, which is becoming increasingly popular - no doubt, in response to this book. Most people can't even afford shopping at Whole Foods, let alone to drive a long distance to pay higher prices for farm fresh produce. This is something that sounds good on paper, but really isn't something most people can do - myself included. This industrialized food complex, however evil, has given millions of people around the world a gift usually heralded as priceless: time. Pre-cooked, chemical laced food that's ready in minutes helps out families where both parents work. I'm not gonna lie - you probably won't find too much farm fresh products in my kitchen. I'd like to change, but how I afford it? How can I find the time to do this? I like the idea of thinking more about what I eat and where it comes from, and perhaps I can make that journey one day, but I definitely enjoyed reading about Pollan's journey. I really loved Pollan's suggestion to teens (at least this was in the audiobook version I listened to) that encouraged teens to cook a fresh meal for their family thus alleviating the pressure to buy and serve pre-made foods. Well played, Pollan.....well played.
Recommendation: Required - this book will make you think about food in unsuspecting ways. Everyone should read this book.
Audience: Everyone