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

In a very intriguing read, Michael Pollan tries to get more personal with what he eats and how food makes it his plate. His premise? Simply follow the origins of a dish from the farm to his plate. And could it be done? Pollan did with his charm and wit.

He gives a long introduction on how we as Omnivores go through the daily troubles of trying to figure out simply what to eat! Unlike others in the animal kingdom (because many forget we are animals too), we can decide on chicken or fish. Or plants. Plus, with all the food available to us in the west, how can we really know what we're getting into?

I really enjoyed this selection and believe it was written very well. We all need to know a little more about what we are eating and paying for. I didn't feel that he gave equal consideration to the vegetarian lifestyle (be gave it a section of a chapter) as he did to the entire section about corn (which was the whole first half of his book); however, he made a lot of really good points and does an excellent job of making you more aware of what's going on in and around your food. This book is a good starting place but don't stop there. Pollan is only one voice of the very complex issues of food production, processing and transportation. He tries to stay objective, but I don't believe he does. And he can't- it's HIS journey into food, and you have his perspective. Occasionally he adds in the thoughts and quotes of others in the food industry, in his efforts to be objective.

Filled with new facts, history and the mindset that all food is created equal, Michael Pollan takes you farther than you ever thought we could go.

4 STARS