The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four MealsThe Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Score Modern
What it's about
Michael Pollan sets out to trace where four meals come from. The first is fast food, which leads him back to the cornfields of Iowa and the feedlots of industrial agriculture. The second is organic food from a supermarket. The third comes from a small farm in Virginia that raises grass-fed animals. The fourth he hunts, gathers and grows himself. Along the way, he asks how Americans should eat.
Why it's worth reading
It was a National Book Critics Circle finalist and is on the Guardian's list of the best books of the century. It changed how many readers think about food, without telling them what to eat.
You'll love it if you liked
Silent Spring
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
Nickel and DimedGood to know
It includes descriptions of slaughter and hunting. It's not a diet book, and Pollan is curious rather than preachy.
By the numbers
- Readers79 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics85 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #14 of the 119 science and ideas books we rank
- #75 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #142 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Practical, Thought-provoking
More by Michael Pollan
How to Change Your Mind
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
A World Appears: A Journey Into ConsciousnessIf you like this, read next
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The Body Keeps the Score
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Science and ideas booksTop 25 · 119 ranked
Modern booksTop 25 · 1,573 ranked
Books of the 2000sTop 25 · 490 ranked
Fantasy booksTop 25 · 459 ranked
Mysteries and thrillersTop 25 · 555 ranked
Literary novelsTop 25 · 309 ranked
Memoirs and biographiesTop 25 · 290 ranked
Science fiction booksTop 25 · 313 rankedQuick answers
Is The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals worth reading?
Yes. It was a National Book Critics Circle finalist and is on the Guardian's list of the best books of the century. It ranks #142 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 85.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals about?
Michael Pollan sets out to trace where four meals come from. The first is fast food, which leads him back to the cornfields of Iowa and the feedlots of industrial agriculture. The second is organic food from a supermarket. The third comes from a small farm in Virginia that raises grass-fed animals. The fourth he hunts, gathers and grows himself. Along the way, he asks how Americans should eat.
How long does it take to read The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals?
About 12 hours (464 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals?
If you liked it, try Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert or Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.