Review by Choice Review
Paarlberg (political science, Wellesley College) delivers an accessible, largely balanced primer on food politics in an engaging question-and-answer format drawn from his lectures on the topic. This easy style carries though the book, which offers short, authoritative responses to questions ranging from "What is genetically modified food?" to "Does the industrialization of agriculture make food less safe?" and others on topics of hunger, obesity, and agricultural practices. The downside of the format is that sources are often murky (there are no footnotes), and charged language can reveal Paarlberg's biases--for example Michael Pollan is dubbed a "celebrity food writer" rather than a University of California, Berkeley, professor of journalism or science writer. This book carries the same main title as the meticulously researched, acclaimed work by Marion Nestle (Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health, CH, Oct'03, 41-0962), which surprisingly is not cited in this new volume. The overall effect of Paarlberg's book is an introductory take on food politics more representative of the food industry's perspective than Nestle's or others' such as Paul Robert's The End of Food (CH, Nov'08, 46-1607). Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and academic audiences, lower-division undergraduate and up. J. M. Deutsch CUNY Kingsborough Community College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Political scientist Paarlberg calls on years of food-policy work and casts his net far and wide in highly opinionated discussions of food shortages and safety, organics, and obesity. He believes that the unsuccessful farm bill labors under the weight of Congressional and lobbyist interests who care only about profits, not good policy, while the green revolution is largely perpetrated by zealots more focused on idealism than science. Factory farming is essential, Paarlberg argues, and, by the way, international food aid is manipulated by everyone from the Department of Defense to the shipping lobby. The facts and figures he provides are dizzying, and the quick shifts in subject matter will likely leave readers wishing Paarlberg had chosen to focus his attention on a facet or two of this enormous subject. Ultimately Food Politics is best used as source book for those uncertain where to begin but desiring something more substantial than bland green guides. Consider it a cram course in how the world eats, and then use this knowledge to support further inquiry.--Mondor, Colleen Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
