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In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto Hardcover – January 1, 2008

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,132 ratings

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#1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of How to Change Your Mind, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Food Rules 

Food. There's plenty of it around, and we all love to eat it. So why should anyone need to defend it?

Because in the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion--most of what we’re consuming today is longer the product of nature but of food science. The result is what Michael Pollan calls the American Paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we see to become. With
In Defense of Food, Pollan proposes a new (and very old) answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Pollan’s bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we can start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives, enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy, and bring pleasure back to eating.
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Editorial Reviews

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Amazon Significant Seven, January 2008: Food is the one thing that Americans hate to love and, as it turns out, love to hate. What we want to eat has been ousted by the notion of what we should eat, and it's at this nexus of hunger and hang-up that Michael Pollan poses his most salient question: where is the food in our food? What follows in In Defense of Food is a series of wonderfully clear and thoughtful answers that help us omnivores navigate the nutritional minefield that's come to typify our food culture. Many processed foods vie for a spot in our grocery baskets, claiming to lower cholesterol, weight, glucose levels, you name it. Yet Pollan shows that these convenient "healthy" alternatives to whole foods are appallingly inconvenient: our health has a nation has only deteriorated since we started exiling carbs, fats--even fruits--from our daily meals. His razor-sharp analysis of the American diet (as well as its architects and its detractors) offers an inspiring glimpse of what it would be like if we could (a la Humpty Dumpty) put our food back together again and reconsider what it means to eat well. In a season filled with rallying cries to lose weight and be healthy, Pollan's call to action—"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."--is a program I actually want to follow. --Anne Bartholomew

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In his hugely influential treatise The Omnivore's Dilemma, Pollan traced a direct line between the industrialization of our food supply and the degradation of the environment. His new book takes up where the previous work left off. Examining the question of what to eat from the perspective of health, this powerfully argued, thoroughly researched and elegant manifesto cuts straight to the chase with a maxim that is deceptively simple: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. But as Pollan explains, food in a country that is driven by a thirty-two billion-dollar marketing machine is both a loaded term and, in its purest sense, a holy grail. The first section of his three-part essay refutes the authority of the diet bullies, pointing up the confluence of interests among manufacturers of processed foods, marketers and nutritional scientists—a cabal whose nutritional advice has given rise to a notably unhealthy preoccupation with nutrition and diet and the idea of eating healthily. The second portion vivisects the Western diet, questioning, among other sacred cows, the idea that dietary fat leads to chronic illness. A writer of great subtlety, Pollan doesn't preach to the choir; in fact, rarely does he preach at all, preferring to lets the facts speak for themselves. (Jan.)
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Press; 1st edition (January 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1594201455
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594201455
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 0.86 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,132 ratings

About the author

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Michael Pollan
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Michael Pollan is the author of seven previous books, including Cooked, Food Rules, In Defense of Food, The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Botany of Desire, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. A longtime contributor to the New York Times Magazine, he also teaches writing at Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley. In 2010, TIME magazine named him one of the one hundred most influential people in the world.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4,132 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and thought-provoking. They describe the writing as well-written and easy to read. The book offers a comprehensive view of food, describing it as rich in natural, whole foods and offering rules for eating well. Readers appreciate the straightforward and concise style. They find the book engaging and exciting, with an interesting historical context. Overall, customers consider it a worthwhile read and worth the price.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

433 customers mention "Information quality"407 positive26 negative

Customers find the book informative and inspirational. They appreciate the thorough research and practical advice provided in it. The author breaks down various theories about why Americans have poor diets, and his research is thorough.

"..." and to those that have, I recommend this book as an inspirational updated refresher course." Read more

"Pollan has written a far-reaching, easy to read and very informative book that breaks through the nonsense of reductionist nutrition or what he..." Read more

"...However, for what it says about the profession, it's a book every food scientist should read." Read more

"...a diet book, Pollan imparts nutrition common sense as he breaks down various theories as to why American's have become so fat...." Read more

377 customers mention "Readability"367 positive10 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, well-written, and entertaining. They describe it as a straightforward, common-sense guide on eating habits. The writing style is clear and relatable.

"...Gone are the stories, the humor, the horror, the amusing dialogue, and the semitravelogue--all that was, for me at least, very delightful--but it..." Read more

"Pollan has written a far-reaching, easy to read and very informative book that breaks through the nonsense of reductionist nutrition or what he..." Read more

"...The book certainly is a manifesto, and an upper-middle class one at that...." Read more

"The book? It was terrific. If you eat, you should read it. Period...." Read more

187 customers mention "Food quality"178 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the book's food quality. They find it offers fresh perspectives on food and eating, with rules for eating well that make a lot of sense. The book covers the theory, history, and science of food.

"...noticeable difference in the availability of healthier, more naturally produced vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish in the area where I live...." Read more

"...Eat whole foods, traditional foods, avoid processed foods, buy from local producers, eat green (leaves) and eat foods (animals) that eat green...." Read more

"...Not quite a diet book, Pollan imparts nutrition common sense as he breaks down various theories as to why American's have become so fat...." Read more

"...The fact is, this book will make you completely rethink your relationship to food and diet...." Read more

62 customers mention "Ease of use"57 positive5 negative

Customers find the book straightforward and logical. They appreciate its clear explanations and simple rules of thumb. The content is described as down-to-earth and common sense.

"...It is a small book, easy and quick to read. I finished it in one enjoyable afternoon...." Read more

"...Sounds simple and it is. Something simple for a complex problem; that's refreshing! But, it's not easy...." Read more

"...Pretty common sense stuff here, yet it's astonishing how revolutionary these insights seem to be in today's fast food culture...." Read more

"...This is easy to do, and cooking isn't as hard or as time-consuming as modern busy people are led to believe; it's just a different way of thinking...." Read more

46 customers mention "Entertainment value"41 positive5 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking. They enjoy reading it with enthusiasm and excitement. Readers mention it makes them laugh or smile.

"...However, if you want a highly entertaining, informative and thought provoking book which can help you effect positive change in your life, pick this..." Read more

"...Mr. Pollan does a fine job of both giving the facts and making the read entertaining...." Read more

"Michael Pollan’s "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" is a compelling and eye-opening book that has significantly transformed the way I..." Read more

"...is a 4 1/2-star book, but I found the material to be so useful and compelling that I round up the rating to a '5'." Read more

19 customers mention "Historical context"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an informative and engaging history of food in the United States. They appreciate the interesting story of 10 middle-aged Aborigines who left their homeland. The political history of "Big Food" and myths about food are also covered. Readers describe the narrative as informative and entertaining, breaking down events in detail.

"...Pollan’s compelling narrative is sure to inspire anyone who wishes to rethink their eating habits and forge a healthier, more sustainable..." Read more

"...The book includes a fascinating story of 10 middle-aged Aborigines who left the bush and became diabetic and overweight...." Read more

"...and informative, especially the fascinating science and history behind our food esp. processed foods. And vitamins...." Read more

"...Profesor Pollan is also an excellent writer and story teller, so not only is the logic unasailable, but it is a very, very good read." Read more

17 customers mention "Value for money"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's worth the price, and the payoff is good.

"...create them have been heavily optimized so that it is cheap to create enormous quantities...." Read more

"...But the payoff is good. I highly recommend." Read more

"...Making food easier to get to market and therefore less expensive, but losing some of its health benefits. All in all, it's a very well written book." Read more

"...It is a short book, but it does not cost much, either. They acknowledgements at the end are extensive...." Read more

10 customers mention "Environmental sustainability"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's focus on environmental sustainability. They mention that organic produce is not only chemical-free, but also higher in nutrients. The book also mentions buying local, organic foods straight from the farmer. It sheds light on hidden toxins in our diets.

"...consuming fat and protein provide dense nutrition and sufficient, sustainable fuel, so you end up eating less without hunger...." Read more

"...No preservatives or chemicals. Foods like this are had to find in supermarkets...." Read more

"...But it makes me even more determined to buy locally grown, organic foods straight from the farmer just a few miles down the road." Read more

"...Local is fine, organic is fine, but this all smacks of some new-age political POV rather than science...." Read more

used book
1 out of 5 stars
used book
All pages yellowed from age and corners that had been flipped to switch pages. crack in binding. I will keep book but this price should have been 50 Cents not $11.00 Not
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2008
    I thought I'd discovered gold two years ago when I chanced upon Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" on the new-book shelf at my local library. I'm a health nut, and what Pollan had to say between the covers of that book was exactly what I'd been looking for. The message blew me away. I started telling all my friends, colleagues, and family about how phenomenal and groundbreaking the book was, and encouraging them to read it. I even went so far as to buy five hardbound copies to give out and loan. But in the end I don't believe I really made any serious converts. Plenty of people wanted to listen! Telling my friends and acquaintances about the content of Pollan's book made me a big hit in social situations, but I honestly don't think many people took the time to read the book or, more importantly, to change their eating habits.

    But Michael Pollan's book did convert me. Over the last two years, I have changed my eating habits--not as much as I hoped I would, but significantly nonetheless. The problem is, as I am sure anyone else knows who has also tried to follow his path: eating healthy in modern, urban America is extremely difficult.

    "Omnivore's Dilemma" went on to become a nationwide bestseller. Thanks in part to the stir that book caused, and the many newspaper articles and television programs that followed, there has been a small but noticeable difference in the availability of healthier, more naturally produced vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish in the area where I live. Merchants now appear to be very conscious of the fact that many buyers are eager to know how and where each batch of produce was grown; whether fish is wild or farm-raised; and whether meats, dairy products, and eggs come from range-, grass- or grain-fed animals. In our area, the local farmers' markets are thriving, and the supermarkets...well, they don't seem to be doing so well anymore. Instead there are a number of small health food chains opening up that seem to be robbing the supermarkets of a large portion of their business. People are starting to "vote with their forks." They are saying they want better quality food, and slowly, their voice is being heard.

    When I heard that Pollan had a new book out--"In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto,"--I jumped at the chance to be one of the first to buy it. It is a small book, easy and quick to read. I finished it in one enjoyable afternoon. Frankly, there is not much in this new book that wasn't already covered in "Omnivore's Dilemma." However, what this new book accomplishes that the previous book did not, is to present the basic concepts--about what is wrong with the modern Western diet and what we can do to eat in a more healthy manner--in a far more concise and readable form. Gone are the stories, the humor, the horror, the amusing dialogue, and the semitravelogue--all that was, for me at least, very delightful--but it also made the book perhaps too long and chatty for some, especially those just seeking a quick, focused, factual read. This book will most certainly appeal to a wider audience. It reads more like a practical manual for the general public.

    I was hoping this new book might give me some further clues. It did that, but not as much as I had hoped. Nevertheless, I am happy that I purchased it, and read it. The most important thing it did for me was to reinforce all the lessons I'd learned from "Omnivore's Dilemma," and to present them to me with more justifications and updated scientific findings.

    Hopefully, "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" will go on to become another national bestseller, and in the process continue to spread Pollan's healthy food revolution. A "Manifesto" sounds serious and political and Pollan speaks in the book about people "voting with their forks." It must be working, because many of the folks in my neighborhood appear to be voting with their forks, and the local farmers, ranchers, and grocery people are listening. There is a small revolution stirring and perhaps this book will help move it along.

    I recommend this book highly to all who have not yet read "The Omnivore's Dilemma," and to those that have, I recommend this book as an inspirational updated refresher course.
    89 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2008
    Pollan has written a far-reaching, easy to read and very informative book that breaks through the nonsense of reductionist nutrition or what he refers to as "nutritionism." He steps back from the Western diet to expose how science, industry and culture have created this strange departure of human beings from their historical relationship with food. A radical break from tradition began in the mid 1800's with the ability to grind grains down to their smallest elements. At the same time as the birth of refined grains, scientists declared that metabolism could be explained in terms of a few chemical nutrients. This approach to nutrition continues today with the USDA MyPyramid nutrition guidelines.

    But is that how nutrition really works? Pollan exposes many scientific mistakes that have been made since the mid 1800's. In our quest to isolate nutrients from their food, we ignore the reality that nutrition is as complex as a symphony orchestra. Rather than associating a health outcome as the result of including a nutrient in our diet, we are beginning to see that many health outcomes are due to the exclusion of another nutrient we have yet to identify! Heart disease is no longer linked to saturated fat in the diet but more likely due to the fact that the animals we eat no longer eat grass and the non-traditional use of grains.

    Why with all of this science and information do we see an increase in chronic degenerative disease throughout the Western world? Could our approach be wrong? What should we do? After Pollan's in-depth look at the progression of medicine, government policy and the food industry over the past 150 years, he gives his solution. "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." Sounds simple and it is. Something simple for a complex problem; that's refreshing! But, it's not easy. It requires more time and more money for less food but greater health.

    Eat whole foods, traditional foods, avoid processed foods, buy from local producers, eat green (leaves) and eat foods (animals) that eat green. Eat wild foods, game and wild caught fish. Other than his omission of recommending lamb as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, his coverage of omega fatty acids, the latest nutrient `craze,' is one of the best I've seen.

    Non-Western diets may be healthier not because of some `magic bullet' in these diets but because they eat more variety (our refined grain diet consists primarily of wheat, corn and soy), they don't snack, they prepare their whole food at home, they sit down together as a family to eat and most importantly... food is a tradition that they love and embrace. If we regarded food with that same joy, rather than fuss over its health consequences, we might even see a reversal in chronic degenerative disease. At the very least, we would once again have a healthy relationship with food.

    A good companion book for Pollan's book is "Real Food" by Nina Plank.
    21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2023
    A friend lent me this book. It is one of the best books I have read on this topic. It is very dense with information and describes the transition of food as we have known it over the years. I read it and then I had to order it to have my own copy so I can read it again!!!!
  • Jocelyn Valdez Castro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Valorar la nutrición básica
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 11, 2021
    Me encanto este libro en el cual podemos valorar la nutrición básica, esa con la cual mucho crecimos y que de pronto se vio invadida por una gama de empresas de comida rápida que nos llevaron a el consumo barato y malo de los alimentos
  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars very nice and informing
    Reviewed in France on July 15, 2022
    Must read if you’re imterested about food and the whole world behind it. Based on research and history, this book should be on everyone’s list
  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding guide on food and nutrition
    Reviewed in India on June 23, 2022
    I always worry about what I’m eating. But man was I right in worrying. Micheal Pollan talks about the industrial journey towards mechanized food and how it’s impacting our health. Great read for those looking to learn more about why we eat and how we should think about food
  • Laura
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bello
    Reviewed in Italy on May 1, 2019
    Con quest'opera di Pollan si va sul sicuro, scritto benissimo, utile ed interessante.