Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation - Softcover

"[A] rare, ranging breed of narrative that manages to do all... It's nothing short of important, possibly life-altering, reading for every living, breathing human being... In Pollan's dexterous hands, we get the science, the history, the inspiration, ultimately the recipe. What feels like all of it. It doesn't hurt that he also happens to be very funny."
--"Boston Globe"
"Because of the power of his prose and his reasoning, "Cooked "may prove to be just as influential as Pollan's seminal book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma.".. The results are fascinating, but the magic of "Cooked" lies not in its ability to unlock the secrets of slow-roasting a whole hog or brewing beer... No, what Pollan pulls off is even more impressive: He manages to illuminate the wealth of connections that stem from our DIY time in the kitchen."
"--The Washington Post"
"As in "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Pollan is never less than delightful, full of curiosity, insight, and good humor. This is a book to be read, savored, and smudged with spatterings of olive oil, wine, butter, and the sulfuric streaks of chopped onion."
--"Outside"
"The book's surplus of fascinating tidbits--about everything from barbecue (which Pollan connects to ritual animal sacrifice) to the mysterious workings of bread yeast -- makes it a feast for intellectual omnivores." - "Entertainment Weekly"
"Through cooking, Pollan argues, we clear a space, allowing ourselves not only to consider our sometimes troubled bond with nature but to reestablish our ties to one another, and to become makers instead of consumers. "Cooked "is a potently seductive invitation to discover--or rediscover--our most primal connection to the natural world." - "Bookforum"
"Spurred by a number of objectives--improving his family's general health, connecting with his teenage son, and learning how people can reduce their dependence on corporations, among others--Pollan ("The Omnivore's Dilemma; In Defense of Food")d

Recounts the story of the author's culinary education and the roles of the four classical elements of fire, water, air, and earth in transforming natural ingredients into delicious meals and drinks.