Why We Get Fat

And What to Do About It

By: Gary Taubes

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

An eye-opening, myth-shattering examination of what makes us fat, from acclaimed science writer Gary Taubes.

In his New York Times best seller, Good Calories, Bad Calories, Taubes argued that our diet's overemphasis on certain kinds of carbohydrates - not fats and not simply excess calories - has led directly to the obesity epidemic we face today. The result of thorough research, keen insight, and unassailable common sense, Good Calories, Bad Calories immediately stirred controversy and acclaim among academics, journalists, and writers alike. Michael Pollan heralded it as "a vitally important book, destined to change the way we think about food."

Building upon this critical work in Good Calories, Bad Calories and presenting fresh evidence for his claim, Taubes now revisits the urgent question of what's making us fat - and how we can change - in this exciting new book. Persuasive, straightforward, and practical, Why We Get Fat makes Taubes' crucial argument newly accessible to a wider audience.

Taubes reveals the bad nutritional science of the last century, none more damaging or misguided than the "calories in, calories out" model of why we get fat, and the good science that has been ignored, especially regarding insulin's regulation of our fat tissue. He also answers the most persistent questions: Why are some people thin and others fat? What roles do exercise and genetics play in our weight? What foods should we eat, and what foods should we avoid?

Packed with essential information and concluding with an easy-to-follow diet, Why We Get Fat is an invaluable key in our understanding of an international epidemic and a guide to what each of us can do about it.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Gary Taubes (P)2010 Random House

Excellent mind blowing book.

I've been duped until now. I can't believe the amount of bad science and faulty research that has gone into the past 100 years of recommended nutrition from "authorities".

Great book, ineffectual narrator

What didn’t you like about Mike Chamberlain’s performance?

The book is fast-paced and well-researched. Narrator Mike Chamberlain, however, has a nasal voice, uses odd inflections, and does not seem to know the difference between the words "causal" and "casual." He says "casual evidence" twice, and it is the worst. After listening to this book, I really wanted to listen to "Good Calories, Bad Calories," until I saw that it is also narrated by Mike Chamberlain.

good but hard for me to understand

this is my first audiobook I liked it but it did not get to the point fast enough and as a truck driver it was hard to follow at times.... but I'm going to give a few other books a shot ,what can it hurt

Good Info

The information and data in the book was relayed in a very helpful manner. I think the principals and scientific data were fairly accurate. Although I do not believe in the whole evolution nonsense - the inaccurate references to primal ancestors discredited the author and distracted from the truths he was trying to convey.

All you need to know, until more research is actually done!

I loved this book. I've also read Good Calorie Bad Calorie which is its wordy and technical big brother. Both are thorough, well researched and authoritative. Thank you Gary Taubs. What an undertaking this must have been!!

Absolutely life-changing

It blows my mind that the mainstream could get something so wrong.
This book has changed my life. Lost the unnecessary fat and have unlimited supplies of energy.
Thank you very much

The truth about why we get fat.

This is an eye opening read about the lies we've been told about why we're getting fatter as a nation as well a all the scientific studies back it up.

Very Educational

Where does Why We Get Fat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As for a self help book, this is one of the best informational ones read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Have you listened to any of Mike Chamberlain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Mike Chamberlain has a voice that keeps you interested in the more scientific research part of the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I would listen to it driving to and from work. To much information to process in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I learned so much from this book. It made so much sense after he explained all the background history and the studies done. I have went back and listened to it twice more and always learn something new each time.

Compellingly explains the physiology behind food

Finally, a book that articulates the physiology behind the food we eat.

Finished it in one sitting. The first few chapters are a bit repetitive...I get it, we are fat and you've written other books about it.

However, once he gets into the physiological discussion of how our bodies process food to create a resultant cycle, things clicked in a way other books, in the same category, have not.

This is a great book for someone that wants to know the why behind the various cases made for eating a certain way.

This should be required reading in med school.

This book is so amazing and well referenced. It should be required reading in med school. Such an easy fix to a monumental problem.