I finally finished Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in which he traces four meals - fast food, industrial organic (a la Whole Foods), local organic, and hunted/gathered by himself - from their origins in fields and factory farms to his table. I don’t say this very often - in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever said it - but “if you read one book this year, it should be this one.” If you care about food, the environment, your health, or animal rights (and really, that should include everyone, though of course it sadly doesn’t), you need to read this book. It is the single most stunning piece of non-fiction I have ever read. Chapter 11, about the interconnected relationships among grass, forest, grubs, and animals on Polyface Farm that leave the land healthier than it was before agriculture, was the most hopeful and beautiful thing I have read in a very long time.
(Enough hyperbole for you? I really do mean it, though. I would happily lend it to you, except I gave my copy to my library. So you’ll need to check it out or buy it yourself. Do so.)
0 responses so far ↓
1 Tish // Dec 29, 2006 at 2:41 pm
It’s so odd you should mention this because just last night C’s mom introduced me to “The Botany of Desire” which she (and C.) absolutely loved. I’d never heard of him before - but he definitely sounds like someone I should get acquainted with.
God knows, given that professionally I spend my entire day listening to scientists tell me exactly how and why our entire ecosystem is collapsing like a yurt in a tsunami, I could use something hopeful and positive.
2 Sam // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:05 pm
I could use something hopeful and positive
Well, it’s hopeful and positive in that it indicates that there are major changes we as individuals and as a society can make that will make a difference - the message is, “Human beings don’t have to be useless resource gobblers.” It’s not hopeful as in, “eh, it’s not as bad as everyone says.”
3 michelle // Dec 29, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I had heard an NPR (I think) story on this book and it sounded interesting. Can I get on list to borrow it from you?
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