The Omnivore's Dilemma

Omnivore Chapter 15-16-17

It is a simple question: "What should we have for dinner?" Author Michael Pollan asks his readers this question readers at the beginning of his book, the Omnivore's Dilemma. In part one of his book, Pollan looks at the all the products available in today's supermarkets and the how much we have come to rely on one plant, corn. In part two, Pollan shares the experiences he had living and working on an organic farm in Virginia. It was a very different place than the very industrialized farm Pollan wrote about first. For the next part of the book, chapters 15, 16, and 17, Pollan wanted to get even closer to the food supply. He wanted to make a dinner prepared entirely from ingredients he personally hunted, gathered, and grew. It is the author's contention that people would eat more healthfully if they had a more direct connection to the food they ate.

Pollan grew vegetables and ate from home gardens his entire life. He was uneasy about killing an animal, especially because he had lived so close to them at Polyface Farm. He did not know the first thing about hunting and had never fired a gun. He also did not know anything about which wild mushrooms to eat. Pollan was so nervous about the mushroom that he found that he threw it away rather than take a chance it might be poisonous. In the following chapter, Pollan explains "the omnivore's dilemma." He points out that human beings can eat many different things in nature. That is good, because of the variety, but also bad, because it can be difficult to figure out which things are safe to eat. Early man expanded the range of available foods by learning how to cook. Modern man has further expanded the range of foods through engineering and manufacturing. It has not been a benefit to overall health. In fact, Pollan talks about "America's national eating disorder" (Pollan, 2006, p. 298). He believes the nation's eating habits become worse the more disconnected people come from the food source. He also believes, as he explains in chapter 17, that "eating meat has become morally problematic, at least for people who take the trouble to think about it" (Pollan, p. 305).

One of the greatest strengths in Pollan's writing is the way his passion comes through so clearly. He thought very carefully about his subject before he started his research and writing. He designed his experiences so he could gather as much information as possible and make informed decisions about his choices. Pollan's writing style is clear and easy to understand. He includes factual information as well as personal experience to help persuade the reader.

This writer did not feel they were any weaknesses with the book. One could argue that Pollan did not set out to prove anything other than what he already knew or believed. That would be a valid criticism if Pollan's work was meant to be true scientific research. It is clear that Pollan had his ideas and opinions when he set out to write the book. The experiences he had supported his views. As has been stated, however, he was under no obligation to provide unbiased reporting. He stated his opinions and found the evidence to back them up.