An Exploration into Our Conflicted Relationship with Insects
April 15, 2017
Who'd have thought a book about entomophagy--the human consumption of insects--could be fun and also a serious investigation of the ecological and cultural issues involved? Waltner-Toews (emeritus, veterinary science, Univ. of Guelph, Ont.) has written about icky subjects before (The Origin of Feces), and here again his combination of witty and critical approaches goes beyond the sensational to ponder deeper questions: Is eating bugs good for us? For them? For the planet? Can an insect-based industry ameliorate the mistakes of the agri-business model? What can insect-eating cultures (comprising some 2 billion people) tell us? For answers, the author surveys current and historical literature and talks to some key players. He goes afield to sample cricket, ant, and worm fare in French and Australian restaurants, visits insect farms in Canada and Europe, and forages for hornets in Japan. Technical and regulatory hurdles aside, he suggests that the greatest challenge to establishing insects as a global food source may be reshaping our imagination from viewing bugs as loathsome critters to seeing them as tasty ones. VERDICT A scrumptious entrée into six-legged cuisine. General science readers will enjoy Waltner-Toews's roving intelligence, while those squeamish about creepy crawlies will appreciate his disarming humor.--Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.Eye-opening views of modern medicine; worlds on the brink of extinction; the past is personal
Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 15, 2017
Epidemiologist Waltner-Toews (Food, Sex and Salmonella, 2008; The Origin of Feces, 2013) writes about humans' complex relationship with bugs, specifically beetles. With humor and curiosity, he cites numerous references, newspaper articles, statistics, and scientific reports to craft the narrative that we may need to rethink that relationship and see insects as even more than a sustainable source of protein. Waltner-Toews draws on various examples, from literature and natural history, of people's interactions with insects and reflects on his own encounters with beetles around the globe. Along the way, he shares his detailed thoughts on why entomophagyeating bugscan be a central key to the survival of our civilization. This will inform and fascinate readers of food history, gastronomy, epidemiology, and ecology, as we begin to understand more about the lives of insects and the important roles they play in our society.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)