dorhastings's review against another edition
4.0
I found the title and short description of this book to be very intriguing. I've read a lot of Michael Pollan's work, and Powell's had been featuring this book. And if Powell's recommends it, I take it into serious consideration. And the book is, in general, up my alley.
I was uncertain about the book about 10% of the way in. There's only so many times that an author can repeat "my bestselling book" before I get annoyed. But if you want a quick little book with tips for how to "bless the hands that feed you", this is not the book for you. And I don't think it should be a short little book, but it's certainly not long.
The book is, in part, a reflection of Robin's experiment to eat super-local food within a 10-mile radius from her house. But it's not like a series of diary entries (which you can probably find on Robin's blog). Instead the book is almost a light history and explanation of the island where Robin lives with her community. There is a deeper message about getting invested in your local community, and there are several strategies and questions to answer that help the reader do just that. It isn't an easy process, but I think Robin gives a lot of useful guidance and advice for how to take the path.
I like that the book is understandably focused on Robin's story, but she doesn't spend so much of the book on specific details (again, the blog probably serves that purpose). I also think the book is fairly balanced; Robin thoroughly examines why people might not want to (or can't) eat local. And she's not particularly judgmental. There is a bit of spirituality in the text, which I suppose could turn people off, but it's not heavy and actually makes a lot of sense in the context of the book. And I really liked the emphasis on resourcefulness and spending more time and attention on food. There are a lot of side topics ("eat everything on your plate" and licenses and regulations for farms, etc) that are really interesting and useful to know.
Most of all, I like that Robin seems to practice what she preaches. She recognizes that she's no spring chicken (har) but still does her part. She pushes for change and participates in activism. Really interesting read. I'd recommend it.
I was uncertain about the book about 10% of the way in. There's only so many times that an author can repeat "my bestselling book" before I get annoyed. But if you want a quick little book with tips for how to "bless the hands that feed you", this is not the book for you. And I don't think it should be a short little book, but it's certainly not long.
The book is, in part, a reflection of Robin's experiment to eat super-local food within a 10-mile radius from her house. But it's not like a series of diary entries (which you can probably find on Robin's blog). Instead the book is almost a light history and explanation of the island where Robin lives with her community. There is a deeper message about getting invested in your local community, and there are several strategies and questions to answer that help the reader do just that. It isn't an easy process, but I think Robin gives a lot of useful guidance and advice for how to take the path.
I like that the book is understandably focused on Robin's story, but she doesn't spend so much of the book on specific details (again, the blog probably serves that purpose). I also think the book is fairly balanced; Robin thoroughly examines why people might not want to (or can't) eat local. And she's not particularly judgmental. There is a bit of spirituality in the text, which I suppose could turn people off, but it's not heavy and actually makes a lot of sense in the context of the book. And I really liked the emphasis on resourcefulness and spending more time and attention on food. There are a lot of side topics ("eat everything on your plate" and licenses and regulations for farms, etc) that are really interesting and useful to know.
Most of all, I like that Robin seems to practice what she preaches. She recognizes that she's no spring chicken (har) but still does her part. She pushes for change and participates in activism. Really interesting read. I'd recommend it.
vladco's review against another edition
1.0
Hard to stomach the unconscious privilege that pervades this food book, and also the subtle unconscious racism of the Pacific Northwest. In one line, which I can't quote because I returned the book to the library already, she seems to show more grief for the lost of the PNW forests that settlers clear-cut than for the thousands of natives that were killed, tortured, and chased off their ancestral lands by those same criminal settlers. Her subsequent epiphanies about the importance of connection to the land ring hollow as a result. Overall, the book feels selfish, self-indulgent, and narcissistic. Which is a shame, because the core messages aren't bad at all.
kariadams's review against another edition
4.0
This book had a great deal of information about how to live on eating foods within your local area, but it also gave insight as to how it can be done cost effectively. There were great tips and some recipes in the books as well. This book gave me a lot to think about when I go the grocery store.
*I won this book in the First reads giveaway.
*I won this book in the First reads giveaway.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I am struggling to get through this book. There is a ton of good information in it, but you have to get past the author, with her clumsy self-revelations and preachy patronizing tone. I can't tell you how irritating I find it that I agree with her on almost everything, given how little I'm enjoying reading this book.
suzyk's review against another edition
4.0
Her experience going through the 10-mile and 50-mile diet was super interesting to read as someone who lives in the Puget Sound too (she's on Whidbey Island and we're in Seattle). I paused to pick up due to "blessing" in the title. Ugh - I have issues with that word and people claiming how "blessed" they are. It was a little preachy (talking about praying and whatnot - I feel like she would say it's spiritual but to us non-spiritual folks it all kind of sounds the same).
Other than the Christian-y feel to it at times it was super interesting to follow her journey and learning although some of it was repetitive.
Other than the Christian-y feel to it at times it was super interesting to follow her journey and learning although some of it was repetitive.
vhp's review against another edition
3.0
As an experiment the author agrees to have a local gardener feed her for an entire month. They created a 10 mile rule and a 10% exotic clause.
The experiment taught the author a lot about where our food comes from, laws, politics, processing, etc.
Where does our food come from? Where should it come from? And should we allow the government to control our food? Should small farmers be confined to the same regulations as big commercial farmers?
As much as we may not want politics in our food, sadly it is. Do you want fresh food or faux food?
The book includes recipes and how many people take the time to cook home fresh food anymore? How many people even KNOW HOW?! It isn't just about following a recipe, but knowing what to do with random ingredients and create a meal.
This was a good book. The only thing I disagreed with about the author on is Bill Gates saving the world with his foundation. 'nuff said about that.
The experiment taught the author a lot about where our food comes from, laws, politics, processing, etc.
Where does our food come from? Where should it come from? And should we allow the government to control our food? Should small farmers be confined to the same regulations as big commercial farmers?
As much as we may not want politics in our food, sadly it is. Do you want fresh food or faux food?
The book includes recipes and how many people take the time to cook home fresh food anymore? How many people even KNOW HOW?! It isn't just about following a recipe, but knowing what to do with random ingredients and create a meal.
This was a good book. The only thing I disagreed with about the author on is Bill Gates saving the world with his foundation. 'nuff said about that.
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