We suffer today from food anxiety, bombarded as we are with confusing messages about how to eat an ethical diet. Should we eat locally? Is organic ...
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Apr 16, 2011
Richard
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Late breaking addition: Want to read the micro-version of this book? Check out the editorial, Math Lessons for Locavores in the New York Times, August 19, 2010. It doesn’t get into the complexities that McWilliams does, but it encapsulates the first chapter of this book quite nicely.
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In Just Food, James McWilliams goes all heretical on his former fellow-travelers in the food-reform-movement cabal. He look More...
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In Just Food, James McWilliams goes all heretical on his former fellow-travelers in the food-reform-movement cabal. He look More...
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Nov 18, 2009
Lena
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Let me begin this review by saying that the subtitle of this book – Where Locavores Get it Wrong – is a bit misleading. Author James McWilliams isn't on a rampage against locavorism per se, but rather against overly simplistic "solutions" to the incredibly complex problem of how to feed our planet's 7 billion-and-still-growing population in a way that is truly environmentally sustainable.
McWilliams is a history professor down in Austin and a former locavore himself. But More...
McWilliams is a history professor down in Austin and a former locavore himself. But More...
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Dec 04, 2011
Laurie
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The subtitle of this book is “Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly”, but it’s not just locavores that McWilliams think have it wrong. Not wrong, really- more that locavores, and everyone else, really, haven’t thought it through far enough.
The problem with basing how environmentally sound a food is on simply ‘food miles’- how far a food is transported from growing point to your plate- is that it leaves out a lot of information. A vegetable grown within 25 m More...
The problem with basing how environmentally sound a food is on simply ‘food miles’- how far a food is transported from growing point to your plate- is that it leaves out a lot of information. A vegetable grown within 25 m More...
Aug 20, 2009
Susan
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Just Foods is an important book in the continuing (and continually escalating) debate over how we should grow our food and what we should eat. Environmental historian and reformed locavore James McWilliams, invites us to think logically and dispassionately about some of the most important food issues of our time--and of the future. Having read two of McWilliams' previous books, I expected a controversial, detailed, and well-documented discussion. I wasn't disappointed.
In summary, Mc More...
In summary, Mc More...
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Feb 22, 2010
Linnea
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An interesting and worthwhile read, McWilliams takes on a lot of assumptions about the environmental benefits of eating locally and other issues of responsible eating and points out some unexpected problems--especially for feeding the world responsibly. He makes some particularly good points about genetically modified crops and higher yields/lower land use. He also stresses the value of expanding healthy fish farming as a good solution to some of the food crises facing the world. However, he alm
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May 18, 2010
Colette
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As it turns out, eating is political and complicated.
Most locavores, or people who think they're doing a good thing by shopping at their farmer's market will hate reading this and probably give up once things like subsidies and LCAs are discussed. Producing and distributing solely local food isn't an option for worldwide need, but McWilliams is smart enough to address the problems of conventional agriculture. The book attempts to find a "golden mean" between the elitism tha More...
Most locavores, or people who think they're doing a good thing by shopping at their farmer's market will hate reading this and probably give up once things like subsidies and LCAs are discussed. Producing and distributing solely local food isn't an option for worldwide need, but McWilliams is smart enough to address the problems of conventional agriculture. The book attempts to find a "golden mean" between the elitism tha More...
Feb 28, 2010
AJ
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In Just Food, McWilliams tries to present a third way, a "golden mean" as he calls it, of agriculture and food production. Unfortunately, I found this book to fall short in many ways.
The first three chapters of the book cover locavorism, organic food and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While hoping to find some third ground that is better than either extreme (organic vs. conventional, eating local vs. eating food trucked to Maine from Mexico), McWilliams resorts to r More...
The first three chapters of the book cover locavorism, organic food and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While hoping to find some third ground that is better than either extreme (organic vs. conventional, eating local vs. eating food trucked to Maine from Mexico), McWilliams resorts to r More...
Nov 24, 2009
Mitro
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Very informative read that critically addresses the biggest problematic challenges towards mass-producing food in an ecologically sustainable manner on a global scale. The author does an excellent job of summarizing the pros and cons of certain food production methods, the lay science behind it, the economics of why it's done that way, and how to improve it. The author is a professor and his research sources are cited throughout the book.
It is, admittedly, not the most entertaining More...
It is, admittedly, not the most entertaining More...
Jan 10, 2010
Stacy
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So, I must say that I was not prepared for the perspective presented in this book - especially from a fellow Austinite, but I think it gives a much needed 'bigger picture' viewpoint - one that challenges mainstream beliefs about the value of being a locavore. While McWilliams made some good arguments about changes needed to drive environmentally responsible global food production, I'm still mulling over some of his ideas. I do agree that the intensifying battle between organic and conventional f
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Aug 25, 2009
Jessica
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I was intrigued by the title of this book, and was happy to discover that I won it via a Goodreads giveaway! Thanks!
I've always wondered if eating "local" was as fabulous as people say. Living in Washington state, we have many "green" people touting the joys of responsible eating. People are huge on eating local. I appreciated the fact that now, after reading this book, I don't feel so guilty and irresponsible for buying food that has been shipped in from far away place More...
I've always wondered if eating "local" was as fabulous as people say. Living in Washington state, we have many "green" people touting the joys of responsible eating. People are huge on eating local. I appreciated the fact that now, after reading this book, I don't feel so guilty and irresponsible for buying food that has been shipped in from far away place More...
Dec 22, 2011
Shawn
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this book was good i thought about giving it 4 stars but could not bring my self to overlook the fact that he never thought to question If the solutions he was presenting where just putting off the collapse of our whole food system. I like reading an alternative point of view and like what he said about meat, organic food and local food. but felt like he adviods the hard fact that we are killing the earth and if we don't do some thing radical very soon it will be to late. I could not agree with
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Aug 15, 2009
Craig
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There is a lot to have to prcoess in this book. I felt the author did a good job with presenting the information. However I feel he should have used a prologue to present the different beliefs and terms a little better. Such as explaining in more detail what a locavore is, their positions, etc. When I started reading it I felt like I was living under a rock cause I didnt know what a locavore was or know some of the things the author lets on to think is common knowledge or household names or
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Nov 30, 2011
Kate
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Want to get a lively discussion going among people who care about food sustainability? This book will do it!
The author hits the ground running with a spot-on sendup of the locavore mania, and not a moment too soon. Then we get chapters on organics and GM food, which I'm still digesting (pardon the pun). I'd thought it was clear that organics should be embraced and GM foods opposed, but here are considerations that were new to me. The uncompromising chapter on livestock had me cheering " More...
The author hits the ground running with a spot-on sendup of the locavore mania, and not a moment too soon. Then we get chapters on organics and GM food, which I'm still digesting (pardon the pun). I'd thought it was clear that organics should be embraced and GM foods opposed, but here are considerations that were new to me. The uncompromising chapter on livestock had me cheering " More...
Aug 03, 2011
Becky
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Just Food is not for the faint of heart or causal reader. James E. McWilliams has written a strong argument about the misleading ideals being spread about the "locavore" movement and how it is causing consumers to vilify methods of production that could reduce costs and still save the environment. The book is heavy handed in its use of facts, data, and research, which gives it good backing, but makes for weighty reading.
McWilliams really has seven key arguments that he m More...
McWilliams really has seven key arguments that he m More...
Apr 10, 2011
Gloria
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A book that is worthwhile to read/skim if you are interested in food in general.
That said, not too much new for me but still thought it worthwhile.
He takes on the thing that drives me nuts---the fetishizing of food miles---so that is great.
I think his chapter on aquaculture and aquaponics really really interesting, and probably the most informative for me.
Also, his commentary re grass-fed meat (better but still should be treated as caviar, and not a global More...
That said, not too much new for me but still thought it worthwhile.
He takes on the thing that drives me nuts---the fetishizing of food miles---so that is great.
I think his chapter on aquaculture and aquaponics really really interesting, and probably the most informative for me.
Also, his commentary re grass-fed meat (better but still should be treated as caviar, and not a global More...
Sep 14, 2010
Nisha
rated it:
Just Food
By James E. McWilliams
Little, Brown and Co., 222 pages, $29
It isn't easy telling people what they don't want to hear, but that is exactly what Texas history professor James E. McWilliams does in his latest book.
He attacks the locavore -- a person who seeks out locally grown and produced food -- and suggests their deep-rooted belief that local food can save the world is not only short-sighted but a luxury of the privileged western world.
In More...
By James E. McWilliams
Little, Brown and Co., 222 pages, $29
It isn't easy telling people what they don't want to hear, but that is exactly what Texas history professor James E. McWilliams does in his latest book.
He attacks the locavore -- a person who seeks out locally grown and produced food -- and suggests their deep-rooted belief that local food can save the world is not only short-sighted but a luxury of the privileged western world.
In More...
May 03, 2010
Sandy
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Interesting note: my copy of this book has the subtitle "Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly". I think this is a better subtitle than "How Locavores Are Endangering the Future of Food", but maybe danger sells better.
Anyway, this is an important, timely, and well-researched book, but is unfortunately not always the most gripping reading. McWilliams doesn't actually say that eating locally is always wrong, just that it is too simplistic More...
Anyway, this is an important, timely, and well-researched book, but is unfortunately not always the most gripping reading. McWilliams doesn't actually say that eating locally is always wrong, just that it is too simplistic More...
Jan 18, 2010
sdw
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James E. McWilliams aims to “reframe the debate about sustainable food production in a way that opens it up and encourages us to seek less ideologically crafted alternatives – ones that reform the environmental abuses of industrial agriculture, lend themselves to pragmatic regulation and enforcement, preserve the profit motive, and adapt to local, regional, national, and global economies and infrastructures” (80).
McWilliams is concerned with three concepts that he believes environme More...
McWilliams is concerned with three concepts that he believes environme More...
Feb 22, 2010
Jennifer
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Each year, I try to read one book that goes against the grain of how I think about things. I picked “Just Food” without knowing much about it except for the subtitle, “Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly.” I am not a card-carrying loacavore by any means; I do not belong to a CSA, nor do I calculate the meal on my plate in food miles. But I do patronize the local farmer’s market in the warmer months and buy corn on the cob from any farm kid I see selling it on th
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Feb 21, 2010
Chana
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A real eye opener to the world-wide business of mass food production. Some scary stuff in here, the subsidiaries information is particularly upsetting. I will be keeping this one (rather than passing it on like I do most of my books) but it will be in bookstores soon and I would recommend it to everyone. (even though I personally am looking forward to putting my head back in the sand with a nice relaxing fictional murder mystery!) The information is pretty well-presented considering that it is a
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Aug 21, 2009
I heard the author on NPR Science Friday this afternoon (8/21/09) and they had Michael Pollan on to debate with him... but they ended up agreeing with each other a lot more than debating. Also, the author noted that the subtitle of his book was not intended to sound so incendiary against the locavore movement, but this is how they decided to market it. Interesting - I love learning more about food politics and agriculture, so this book will undoubtedly shed some light on those areas.
Aug 12, 2009
Carissa
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From the title, I thought this would be a conservative spiel. Instead, I found a carefully researched, thoughtful discussion of what it might take to be truly sustainable -- and environmentally friendly -- in our food. This is not a book meant to create clever catchphrases or quick slogans; it is a book written by a scientist trying to peal away layers of green-washing to find real solutions for the planet. Well-written, well-researched, and well worth the read!
Nov 05, 2009
Claire
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This book has really made me reconsider my food choices. I have determined to reduce my meat intake as much as possible (read: as much as my willpower can stand). I was certainly on the "conventional agriculture = bad, organic agriculture = holy & good" bandwagon as well. This book has changed that. I now see that it's up to us as consumers to encourage farmers to grow food judiciously, not just cheaply. And that there will have to be a sea change in the way food is grown worldwide if
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Oct 06, 2009
Joan
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I admit it, I'm a local food junkie. I get high off of buying local produce and food. So reading this book about how locavores are endangering food was a different perspective. I also just recently went off meat so I doing good that way. Anyway, I understand what his points are and is definitely something to consider for all people and what we can do to our food systems. I guess I should keep reading and researching.
Apr 02, 2010
Liz
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I'm glad I stuck with this book. The title and first few chapters seemed mostly to be the author's personal rant on Austin foodie culture without real substance or perspective. I found much to disagree with but also some food for thought (get it?) on what it would take to create a globally sustainable food system, the environmental impact of eating meat, and the need for an entire restructuring of our government's subsidy system in order to enact lasting change.
Nov 23, 2009
Snail in Danger (Sid)
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Maybe more like a 3.5 ... a must-read for anyone who is interested in eating ethically and sustainably. There is a strong strain of demystification here, but (contrary to what the title might lead you to think) it is not an outright attack on local eating. The chapter on aquaponics was very interesting.
Nov 17, 2009
Betsy
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The author makes some good points, especially about the impact of meat, but he didn't convince me that food miles aren't also important. He had some discrepancies in his facts, ie. he listed 3 different figures (71%, 50% and 25%) for nitrate run-off from pastures.
Jan 03, 2010
Katrina
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I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how organic is not necessarily best for people and the environment. He seemed to have a very well thought out book. The bit on aquaponics was something seldom heard about in my neck to the woods.
Mar 06, 2010
Kim
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Shines interesting light on reality behind some of the warm fuzzy seeming agendas about what we should do to solve world food problem, nicely grounded in real life examples to make what could have been a boring if educational read quite interesting.
Nov 12, 2011
Kim
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The argument of the book, mainly that eating local and organic farming will not be sufficient to solve the challenges of feeding the world's growing population, was well thought out and convincing. The author has clearly thought about these issues and has clearly been willing to examine the beliefs he holds about local food and organic food, which is a strength of the book. I stopped reading mid-way through, though, because the technical aspects of agriculture were getting somewhat overwhelming.
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