The Opposition…

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

Michael Pollan

Discussion: 2006-Apr-May-Jun

Why we're reading this: June 15, 2006;
author guest/book mentioned November 2, 2011
April 22, 2013
[close] June 15, 2006;
author guest/book mentioned November 2, 2011
April 22, 2013

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2006-Apr-May-Jun

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* June 2006
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 7 views

last updated Dec 06, 2010 01:35AM

* May 2006
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Dec 06, 2010 12:57AM

What Members Thought

Jun 13, 2018 Letitia rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-club-suggestions, cooking, 2018-to-read

This is actually deserving of more like 4.5 stars. It's become a classic in the conscientious individual's canon. The version I read comes with an updated foreword, but in actuality not much has changed since it was originally published twelve years ago. The message, the carefully accurate and insightful writing, and the educational aspects hold up.

I could easily retitle this book "More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Corn". This was honestly key for me in understanding the food chain. Litera This is actually deserving of more like 4.5 stars. It's become a classic in the conscientious individual's canon. The version I read comes with an updated foreword, but in actuality not much has changed since it was originally published twelve years ago. The message, the carefully accurate and insightful writing, and the educational aspects hold up.

I could easily retitle this book "More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Corn". This was honestly key for me in understanding the food chain. Literally everything I have easy access to is dependent on one crop, and that crop is neither healthy nor sustainable. Something is broken in "food" when you can say that.

I am really glad I read Animal Liberation before reading this, as it was referenced, and I think it was helpful to already have Singer's arguments in the back of my mind while Pollan grappled with vegetarianism. Of course, in the end, I don't think Pollan adequately considers the ramifications of vegetarianism, and ends up seeming to do essentially what he accuses others of doing: dismissing it as a lifestyle because it is both difficult and not as perfect as he'd like it to be. This is precisely the hypocritical conundrum he is trying to analyze about omnivore's, but he seems to end up doing precisely that with animal life. This is the one part I simply did not buy, and got the impression it was only in here as an acquiescence to the questions he knew he would be asked and was in fact asked about animal life and animal rights.

Other than that unconvincing moment, Pollan offers a very thorough examination of food, complete with steps for improving how you access food at the end. Don't be overwhelmed; it is possible to take small steps that make a huge difference, even if you can't forage for chanterelles in your back yard. As he says, the biggest impact you have on the world, and the easiest way for you to vote to make a difference, is with your fork (or chopsticks or whatever). I would also recommend, for those contemplating this topic but wanting a more thorough examination of the impact of factory farming animals, Animal Liberation by Peter Singer, and The Way We Eat and Why It Matters by Peter Singer. ...more

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Nov 28, 2008 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

My basic opinions are not changed; I admit to being a slightly hippie California city-dweller hybrid driver who buys organic almost all the time. But reading this has caused me to recognize that organic is now a brand and that industrial organic is not unequivocally better for our world.

So last week I rejoined a fruit-and-veggie CSA, and then I subscribed to a meat CSA as well. I hope my reality can keep up with my ideals.

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Mar 20, 2008 Dinh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, 2000s

Great book, definitely changes how I will see my food from now on. Makes me want to look into local and sustainable producers, as well as making me consider vegetarianism.

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