Merry White

Ways of Eating, written by Benjamin Aldes Wurgaft and Merry White, is an excellent example of a book that is both scholarly and accessible.

I listened to the audiobook and found it to be engaging and well organized. Since I am no longer in academia the audio version was ideal for me, I don't need to refer to it or get accurate quotes for my own work, simply enjoy learning about the intersection of food, agriculture, history, culture, and politics. This is also one of those books that will show more reward a repeat listen, and likely a reread in the case of the written version.

If you have an interest in food and want to understand a little more about how what we eat fits with how we live, you will enjoy this book. Well-researched but also very accessible for any reader with an interest, while still offering great insight for any scholar in the area.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

I had not expected to enjoy this book very much when I bought. It looked vaguely interesting and I tend to buy everything I can lay my hands on concerning food.

Quite often anthropology is written in a style beyond horrible, but Ms White writes very restrained English and clearly loves Japan and clearly loves coffee.

She made me want to open a café (in the Japanese style) and I don't even like coffee very much.

So if you are interested in coffee (hand poured) and Japan, this is the book for you.

One of the few books to really tackle normal Japanese teenage lives. White's analysis emphasizes consumption and its socializing role. After thirteen years, the book is now a bit dated, but still provides some excellent basic ideas on Japanese youth.

Great praise of the Japanese educational system right when America was convinced it was losing to the Japanese. Emphasis on primary schooling.