Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

written by Michael Pollen

published by Penguin

ISBN-10: 0143038583

ISBN-13: 978-0143038580

A wonderful new look at the food we eat.

Where does the food we buy at the grocery store come from? In The Omnivore’s Dilemma Michael Pollen traces down three basic ways we get our food: factory farms, organic farms, and growing and hunting it ourselves. From following the life of a cow he bought at a factory farm, to doing some farming himself, to hunting pigs in the wild, Pollan sheds some light on all of the practices and why we should make the effort to get more in touch with our foods.

To be honest with you, I went in expecting to like this so it was no surprise when I did. Ever since I switched to a vegetarian (pescetarian to be exact) I’ve really become interested in all aspects of food. I’ve read several books on the issue. This one is something that I think is great overall for anyone. You don’t have to be a vegetarian or a vegan to like this book but you may become one after reading it.

I found the part about factory farming to be as disgusting as Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. It is truly amazing what they get away with at factory farms. I’m not just talking about how harsh they are for the environment or how terrible that they treat the animals (both of which are reasons for us to shut them down). I’m speaking about things like how disgusting the food is treated before it ends up on people’s plates. I am glad that I no longer eat meat.

The polyface farm that he visits is super fascinating to me. There is so much good going on here even if it ends with animal slaughter. I’m not against all others not eating meat. I’d like to see everyone cut back dramatically. But if you do eat meat I’d love to see people eat meat from places like the farm in the above link. It is just run in an ingenious manner that is good for all of us.

And the trip he goes on hunting and growing his own food is funny and informative. Could you imagine if all of us had to do this once in our lives before we could eat anything? Our relationship with food would be some much more constructive and it would be better for the earth in general.

I highly recommend not only buying this book for you but also getting it for your friends and family. There is an amazon link above and you can get it really cheap at Half Price Books.

5 out of 5