I was somewhat wary of what I assumed to be yet another condemnation of food. Instead, I was treated to Pollan's tremendous plea for the average American to eschew the modern "nutritionism" and reconnect with food as a whole, deeply rooted in culture and pleasure rather than paying heed to the monikers advertised by the food police and big industry, which, more often than not, is driven more by profit than valid health concerns. Pollan urges readers to forgo modern science's constantly shifting views about the ills of our diet as well as the star players, relying on the wisdom of our ancestors rather than what makes headlines. He advocates for the return of the family meal and letting go of guilt.