In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto is a must-read. Michael Pollan, the author, first explored the premise of the book for some NY Times contributions and, with time, a book project was born.
He explores the obsessive fascination many have with food and its nutritional components, and how eating has been denuded of its social and enjoyable aspect. The main question Pollan seems to be asking is, 'just where is the joy of eating gone?'
A sentence that peeked my curiosity is the following, “the tangible material formerly known as food.” While it is important to be aware of what one puts in one's system, there is more to the items one picks to masticate than the caloric intake.
The Times review notes:
Goaded by “the silence of the yams,” Mr. Pollan wants to help old-fashioned edibles fight back. So he has written “In Defense of Food,” a tough, witty, cogent rebuttal to the proposition that food can be reduced to its nutritional components without the loss of something essential. “We know how to break down a kernel of corn or grain of wheat into its chemical parts, but we have no idea how to put it back together again,” he writes.
I highly recommend this title.
graph per amazon
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5 comments:
whatever happened to simply enjoying nutrition, really, sounds like a good one to read. ths.
This title seems to provide some balance in the discussion and that can be nothing but good.
It's thought-provoking and relevant.
I have been fascinated by food because I like to eat it, but also because it is yet another blank canvas for creativity. This is why I do not view cooking as domestic drudgery. I love making things and really good food is another great medium! BTW Brikena, I want to loan you my DVD containing the first season of BBC's Chef! It is my favorite t.v. show of all time. Tag line is: 'Beware sharp knives and even sharper tongues...'
It's a balanced take on food. About time. We should, first and foremost, go for balance before going for anything else.
The BBC show sounds interesting. If Netflixable, I will start watching it. Thx for the post!
ha. what Xan wrote: 'Beware sharp knives and even sharper tongues...' is my sentence of the day.
and, of course, i concur fully.
food is first and foremost an art form. this book will be read. by me. and mine.
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