450 pages
English language
Published April 11, 2006
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals is a nonfiction book written by American author Michael Pollan published in 2006. As omnivores, humans have a variety of food choices. In the book, Pollan investigates the environmental and animal welfare effects of various food choices. He suggests that, prior to modern food preservation and transportation technologies, the dilemmas caused by these options were resolved primarily by cultural influences. Technology has made foods that were previously seasonal or regional available year round and in all regions. The relationship between food and society, once moderated by culture, is now confused. To teach more about those choices, Pollan describes various food chains that end in human food: industrial food, organic food, and food we forage ourselves; from the source to a final meal, and in the process writes a critique of the American method of eating.
This book is about where your meals come from, and the options you have. Michael says that he often gets approached about this book, years after it came out. "Your book changed my life!" He says just how it changed their life is always different; some people go vegetarian, some add meat to their diet. For me? It answered a question I never knew I asked, many years ago.
