• In Defense of Food

  • An Eater's Manifesto
  • By: Michael Pollan
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (4,587 ratings)

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In Defense of Food  By  cover art

In Defense of Food

By: Michael Pollan
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Editorial reviews

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These are the first words of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. Scott Brick narrates these opening sentences with slowly paced emphasis and a nicely modulated deftness, with a hint of coyness. The coyness is Pollan's. For what else can one eat but food? And why does eating need a manifesto? Pollan answers that we increasing do not eat food (whole food) but rather consume processed "food products". We are in "The Age of Nutritionism". Pollan's In Defense of Food is a richly developed polemic against the unhealthful food culture that the ideology of nurtitionism represents. The book is as well a de facto manual for growing and eating our way out of it.

Brick is a compelling spokesman for Pollan's argument. He brings to In Defense of Food a voice in the baritone-to-tenor range, with an always on-the-mark sonic focus matched with a point of expressive emphasis that constantly shifts, as Brick makes his flawless and fluent runs up and down and within his octave ranges. Brick's doing all of this can only be achieved by natural talent, disciplined training, and smart reading - joined by a mastery of a quite large array of narrative and expressive skills.

It is very likely that somewhere in some academic haven there are specific concepts and a precise language that could quantify and describe what goes on with Brick's narrative voice. In the end, though, it all comes down to art. Using, with apologies, an extended metaphor, that of jazz: Brick picks up his axe (saxophone), fingering the notes and changing the octaves with the keys; with his fine set of chops (lips) applies the pressure onto the sax's mouth piece and reed, and, modulating the breath and applying nuances of feeling and expression, blows - that is, in jazz-speak - plays. The well-argued and passionate polemic that is In Defense of Food is, in this audio production, a show piece showcasing Scott Brick's narrative range and dexterity. (David Chasey)

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

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What listeners say about In Defense of Food

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An eye opener about how little we know about food

Loved the book. An easy read and an eye opener about how little we actually know about food.

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Filled with insightful history and health of food.

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

Yes. It opens your eyes to the world of food that we live in.

Any additional comments?

This book is a must read. Anyone who cares about their health or has health issues related to poor eating habits needs to read this audio book or the hardcover book.

The narrator "Scott Brick" is very good with drawing in the listener and highlighting interesting points with his tone of voice.

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Loved it!!!

A very good book. Now if I can just put it into practice. He gave so many good ideas.

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Excellent information about food

I had read The Omnivore's Dilemma before but it took me forever to get around to this one. I wish I had listened sooner as it may well be the definitive book for me to change my eating habits permanently. It is incredibly informative and written in a way that makes a lot of sense. I plan on changing our family's eating habits very soon.

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Love Michael Pollan

Another great book by Michael Pollan! Haven’t found a book by him that I have not enjoyed.

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Good Book, Great Narrator, Poor Combination

Scott Brick is an excellent narrator. I listened to the Ender's Game books and he was outstanding there. I can't think of anyone would would narrate it better. When he brings his strong, authoritative voice to this book on food, I think the marriage has some compatibility issues. I think the content of the book is informative and motivational but I felt like I was been scolded for most of the six hours. You may have a different response, so I encourage you to listen to the sample. I still recommend the book, but I did want to mention the one detraction that I noticed.

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Taught me a few things about food

This book taught me thing about food I would never figure out on my own. How different cultures treat food differently. How each food is given the Label food without deserving of such distinction. How the world of food actually works from the corporate sponsored studies to the government backing these imitation food have been given. All I can say is thank you Micheal Pollan

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Amazing

Loved every word. I've recommended this book to so many people already. It's really good imo

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Completely new perspective on food!

Michael Pollan has done it again! When I think I am pretty well versed on eating right and responsibly, he blows open new doors and insights into how our food system works...and should work. You have 3 votes a day to make a difference... Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

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Eat food and as a result be healthy.

Excellent and straight-forward. Id recommend to those who have lost touch of their ancient connection to food and what it meand to truly be healthy.

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