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

by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Technical:
  • ID: 933
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-09-23
  • Formats: 8
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £14.99
Reviews
Lotz in Translation · 2021-08-06
enlightening 4.00

The book is praised for its thorough investigation into the American diet and its impact on both health and the environment. The reviewer appreciates the author's hands-on approach to understanding food sources.

This review highlights how the book delves deep into the complexities of food choices, starting with a simple McDonald's meal and tracing it back to its origins. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the author's commitment to experiencing firsthand where his food comes from. They find the exploration of different food systems enlightening and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone interested in food culture and sustainability.

Quick quotes

    Michael Pollan sets out to investigate the American diet, using four meals as focal points.

    The first is an order from McDonalds, which represents industrial food.

    The book is a journey through the food chain that challenges our assumptions about what we eat.

Adamah · 2011-03-09
skeptical 3.00

The book is seen as progressive and idealistic, but the reviewer questions the accuracy of some of the author's claims. They find the narrative compelling but not entirely factual.

This review acknowledges the book's progressive and idealistic stance on food systems and culture. However, the reviewer expresses skepticism about the accuracy of some of the author's claims, suggesting that the narrative is more fiction than fact. Despite this, they find the book's exploration of food sources and the ethical dilemmas surrounding food choices to be compelling and worth discussing.

Quick quotes

    It is a story that progressive, idealistic people like Pollan want to hear.

    Unfortunately, it is often more fiction than fact.

    The author's exploration of food sources and ethical dilemmas is compelling.

The New York Times · 2006-04-23
thoughtful 4.50

The book is described as thoughtful and engrossing, stirring anxiety about food choices. The reviewer appreciates the author's exploration of the ethical and environmental implications of what we eat.

In this review, the book is lauded for its insightful exploration of the dilemmas faced by omnivores in choosing what to eat. The reviewer notes that the book is not just about food but also about the broader cultural and environmental contexts. They highlight how the author's narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking, making readers more aware of the complexities behind their food choices.

Quick quotes

    Michael Pollan writes in his thoughtful, engrossing new book, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma,' 'deciding what you should eat will inevitably stir anxiety.'

    The book is a journey through the food chain that challenges our assumptions about what we eat.

    Pollan's exploration of the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices is both enlightening and alarming.

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