In Defense of Food

An Eater's Manifesto

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of This is Your Mind on Plants, 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Because in the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion—most of what we’re consuming today is longer the product of nature but of food science.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.

©2008 Michael Pollan (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Michael Pollan [is the] designated repository for the nation's food conscience."—Frank Bruni, The New York Times

"In this slim, remarkable volume, Pollan builds a convincing case not only against that steak dinner but against the entire Western diet."—The Washington Post

"A tough, witty, cogent rebuttal to the proposition that food can be reduced to its nutritional components without the loss of something essential . . . [a] lively, invaluable book."—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

Eye Opening book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone that wants to know about food and all the "diets" that have contributed to our health today.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Eat Real Food!

Interesting book

The content of the book is very interesting! But some of the fact does not sound scientifically correct, read it with skepticism.

Delicious

Although most of this material was not new to me, I thought that Pollan did an excellent job of covering the major issues in the food industry and offering practical advice for people wanting to take control of their food. I recommend this to anyone who's starting to wonder about the western diet health epidemic. Don't expect a president to regulate the very industries that support him. The system is broken, and it's up to us to take back our health. Pollan's humour & writing skills as a journalist were put to good use here.

The narrator was perfect.

Good Read

I always enjoy Michael Pollan's books. Scott Brick is a good narrator. In Defense of Food focuses more on the health benefits of a whole food diet rather than the ecological benefits. Although I learned a lot from this book I still prefer The Omnivore's Dilemma and Cooked in terms of writing style. Pollan is an excellent storyteller and that doesn't come out as much is this book.

Great book

But the narrator with the chip on his shoulder isn’t my favorite. Content good, delivery was annoying.

Best food book ever

I relistened to this book and was convinced that it is the number one book I recommend for people wanting know about what to eat for health. I love that he breaks it into such simple actionable rules to follow. It’s very understandable. I feel re inspired! Thanks

Take your life back into your hands

Much is gained from this book on the knowledge of the food industry mostly over the last 60 years. Many common beliefs that most share are expanded upon, like why whole grain wheat wheat is better than white flour. I was concerned that this book would not pack a punch only being 6 hrs long, but I was pleasantly mistaken.

awesome

I wish I had the hard copy to take notes and look at study references. This book is just what I need to help me figure out how to eat!

Grateful to Michael Pollan

This should be a class taught in every school. Knowledge thatcertainly will help save the planet and people. M.Galt

wonderful

loved it it's nice to hear simple common sense. I'm so tired of industry making something so simple so very complicated