GOOD TO EAT: Riddles of Food and Culture

by Marvin Harris ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1986

An anthropological work examining why people eat what they eat. Different cultures abhor and adore a diversity of foods. Many peoples consume insects, dogs, horses, and some even other human beings, all of which Americans, et. al., find unappetizing and in some cases revolting. Harris attempts to explain how certain groups are biologically and/or culturally predisposed to their particular diets. A myriad of factors are involved, including geography, climate, and history. Among the ""food riddles"" Harris tries to solve are ""meat-hunger,"" cannibalism, hippophagy (horse-eating), pet-eating, the worship of cows in India, and the American love of beef, and shows how these preferences and avoidances can benefit or endanger populations. There is a chapter on milk, examining why some individuals and entire cultures (such as Chinese, and Southeast Asian) loathe the idea of drinking it. All this is intriguing even for those with no bent for anthropology. The book is technical enough to be informative but not so much to make it dry. The various investigations are in fact entertaining, often amusing, and sometimes grotesque. Harris has a lively style and use of first person helps to warm up the subject matter. In some cases Harris deviates and gives more information than seems necessary, but his enthusiasm for his subject more than carries the day. In sum: an appealing study of human eating habits and (excuse us) food for thought.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1986

ISBN: 1577660153

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION