Animal, Vegetable, Junk

A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal

By: Mark Bittman

Narrated by: Mark Bittman

"Epic and engrossing." —The New York Times Book Review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and pioneering journalist, an expansive look at how history has been shaped by humanity’s appetite for food, farmland, and the money behind it all—and how a better future is within reach.

The story of humankind is usually told as one of technological innovation and economic influence—of arrowheads and atomic bombs, settlers and stock markets. But behind it all, there is an even more fundamental driver: Food.

In Animal, Vegetable, Junk, trusted food authority Mark Bittman offers a panoramic view of how the frenzy for food has driven human history to some of its most catastrophic moments, from slavery and colonialism to famine and genocide—and to our current moment, wherein Big Food exacerbates climate change, plunders our planet, and sickens its people. Even still, Bittman refuses to concede that the battle is lost, pointing to activists, workers, and governments around the world who are choosing well-being over corporate greed and gluttony, and fighting to free society from Big Food’s grip.

Sweeping, impassioned, and ultimately full of hope, Animal, Vegetable, Junk reveals not only how food has shaped our past, but also how we can transform it to reclaim our future.

©2021 Mark Bittman (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Liberal writer but makes some good points

Overall I found the book to be very informative. But I was unhappy with the push for socialist and communist ideals. And dismissing American Exceptionalism. We became the power house in everything around the world because our our exceptionalism and creativity. Other than that I liked the book.

sad tale of the woes of consumption

I struggled to finish. This book was well researched and read, just very depressing! It felt somewhat repetitious.

A very important book!

For anyone who cares how our vast array of climate changing, junk filled agribusiness has come to be, I highly recommend this book! Mark Bittman traces the history of food from when we were all hunter gatherers through the domestication of animals and the tilling of our fields all the way to the present day. The book is filled with anecdotes and humor and ends with an uplifting chapter of hope, detailing the efforts of many countries and groups trying and succeeding to produce food in a sustainable and non polluting way. Very highly recommended!

The true cost of food

This a searing indictment of how the human race has used and abused food production to much nature in all its forms to the brink. The interplay of society, politics, science and pseudoscience has undercut our ability to create sustainable nutrition options in the name of corporate enrichment and dominance.

A must read for anyone who eats food

Mark Bittman takes a deep and thorough look at how we arrived at the food system we rely on today. He makes an interesting and informative journey of this story. The conclusion is clear: our ultra-processed food system is killing people and planet. It’s a worthwhile read to learn what we can all do to affect change. Well done, Mark!

Maybe not all is doom and gloom?

If you get through the last chapter to the conclusions, you will be left with some optimism. Thoughtful and timely book!

Great political economic history of food and ag

The first chapter is too broad and based on ideas about agriculture that don’t have a solid basis in evidence, but the rest of the book is great and highly recommended. A must read for any food scholar!

Learn why you eat what you eat

An amazing book about the history of food and how we got here. So many major events in human history were shaped by food and how we eat it. Bittman’s narration is warm and easy to listen to. Highly recommended!

A Beacon of Hope!

Mark Bittman’s resume is proof that he knows about food, cooking, & nutrition. For years, he wrote about food issues for The New York Times. He has helped teach & organize Cal Berkeley’s course Edible Education 101. With this fascinating historical overview of humans’ feeding themselves & their domesticated animals, he hopes to inspire cooperative action to make changes necessary for the health of the whole earth & of all its inhabitants!

Great overview of global agriculture

This was awesome, so much good information about the history and future of global agriculture, current dietary requirements and future possibilities.