Summary of The Omnivore's Dilemma

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Pollan, is a book about food, what it says about who we are, where it comes from, and how it will shape our future. Pollan takes readers on a journey that compels them to examine their dietary choices and make more informed ones. By exploring four distinct food chains—industrial, organic, the romantic hunter-gatherer, and what he calls the “natural” food chain of terroir—Pollan reveals the important role that agriculture, politics, and economics play in what we eat. He explores the health effects of the industrial food chain, the obstacles faced by small-scale organic farmers, the flaws of organic certification, and the consequences of a reinvigorated locavore movement. In the end, The Omnivore's Dilemma makes a compelling case for a way of eating that is both healthy and sustainable.