The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table

This book is one of many texts that have been coming out about the problems with the American food system. This book approaches the matter from a very different angle though. Instead of a thesis and a long piece defending said thesis Tracie McMillan instead takes her journalistic perspective and walks into the task of holding several jobs entrenched deeply within the American food system over the course of a year's time. There are really two things that would cause me to recommend this book. The first is that Tracie avoids the snobbery common to so many texts on this subject. There is no fawning at the altar of organic localvore eating. There is suggestion that everyone should eat a certain way. She takes a hard look at the realities of trying to just get the basic nutrients we need to get through our lives in a realistic manner. The second is that the book humanizes segments of the population who are all but invisible. Aside from the food subject matter (which I am passionate about) I think people should read this as a view into what it means to be an illegal immigrant in our country, and what would happen to America if we really did close our borders.

I first learned of this book quite by chance, when seeing the author appear on the Rachel Maddow Show after Rush Limbaugh's bizarre, unprovoked attack on her. I downloaded and read a sample chapter on my cell phone, and was so intrigued that I immediately purchased the full book so I could continue reading. This book presents engaging and thought-provoking research into the current state of food production and distribution in America. I loved the stories about living in very different communities - in California, Michigan, and New York - and working in unfamiliar, physically demanding environments. I also especially appreciated the very thorough annotations and extended acknowledgements section. Tracie McMillan really put her heart and soul into this work. Anyone who enjoyed Nickel and Dimed would probably enjoy reading this book as well.