Absolutely fascinating. Who could imagine at the onset, enjoying a book sub-titled "A natural history of four meals"? Michael Pollan deftly juxtaposes the sources and costs of four meals - industrial, industrial organic, sustainable and foraged/hunted. I had no expectation of changing my "world view" when I opened this book; however, Pollan presents that raw facts in a thoughtful without preaching way. I wish I had encountered this book long before I short-changed personal and environmental health for quick calories. ( )

Possibly due to its being assigned for college reading, and also because I'm not all that interested in the subject, I didn't much care for this one. Pollan makes valid points, and it's an important book, but overall a tedious read. ( )

A bit hard to get through in sections, but overall an important read for anyone that eats food. Pollan traces the complete journey food had to take before reading his plate, from the fast food meal consumed while driving down the highway to the simple fare he procured old-school by hunting and gathering. ( )

Overall, this book is quite informative and at times engaging to read--however, the middle section on corn ran extremely long, and I found myself less than enthusiastic by the time I reached the "scavenging" section on mushrooms, as interesting as it ended up being. In the end I felt like I'd spent way more time slogging through this than it warranted, though I did come away with some new insights. ( )

Another great book on food, food production and eating in modern America. Pollan writes engagingly, and the book definitely provides some food for thought - without being a lecture. ( )