- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Material World (Mar 1 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1580080227
- ISBN-13: 978-1580080224
- Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 18.8 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 590 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #759,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Conventional wisdom holds that our dietary habits are mostly set by the time we reach age 5. Perhaps this explains why the thought of eating insects sends the average Westerner into a fit of shudders and gagging. But entomophagy is practiced by all kinds of people, all over the world. Arthropods are a good source of protein, they're plentiful, and they're often easier to catch than a fast bird or dangerous mammal. Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio, the husband-wife team behind the photojournalistic masterpieces Material World and Women in the Material World, bring us the world of insect eating through stunning photos and amusing, enlightening text, complete with recipes for delicacies like Simple Scorpion Soup. Peter dives into each insect meal with gusto, whereas Faith is always less enthusiastic, but participates nonetheless, if only to push her Western taste boundaries out a bit further. Here she describes her first taste of a fried tarantula in Cambodia: "I can stall no longer. I break off a leg--it's two inches long, but seems like twelve--and ask if this too is supposed to be eaten. Yes, I'm told, so I do. I'm surprised that it doesn't feel hairy in my mouth because it looks awfully hairy.... It doesn't taste bad, but I can't say it tastes good."
Man Eating Bugs is part global anthropological study, part nature essay, part travel adventure story. The plentiful, gorgeous photographs will take you on an emotional journey, from the depths of disgust to the heights of awe, as you realize that "the shelves of the supermarket carry only a small slice of what the world has to offer." --Therese Littleton
Book Description
The team behind the critically and popularly acclaimed anthropological photoessays MATERIAL WORLD and WOMEN IN THE MATERIAL WORLD make their debut on our list with this oddly tantalizing book about a subject that's creeping into prominence: insects as food for people. With the distinctive blend of thoughtful cultural inquiry, intrepid exploration, and sumptuous photography that has earned them worldwide renown, the authors document the practice and history of entomophagy around the globe, discovering that insects are a nutritious, plentiful, and varied food source. From Mexico, where people celebrate the annual Jumile Festival with bug hunts and beauty queens, to China, where whole families make their livings from scorpion ranches, over a dozen bug-eating countries (including the USA!) are profiled in MAN EATING BUGS. Each chapter examines a culture through a stunning array of location photos, interviews with locals, and highlights from the authors' field journals, as well as carefully photographed indigenous recipes. A colorful, beautiful, and intelligent book.
Awards1999 James Beard Award Winner
Awards1999 James Beard Award Winner
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I want to try eating a bug!!!!,
By Candace A. Gee "dilettante" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects (Paperback)
I've watched shows on t.v. showing people eating termites fresh from the grond, grubs in mexico being fried, and scorpions eaten live... i was always apalled by the thought- yet strangely facinated... I bought this book- out of pure curiosity and partially for the gross out factor... but now I'm dying to try a bug!!!! (i won't go near those damn tequilla lollypops- if i don't like the drink- why should i suck on a pop- just to taste the bug inside- it's too torturous) i wish that the photos had been focused better. a lot of the shots looked like the camera had some sort of shutter problem. But the book is marvelous... full of photos and diary like accounts of each adventure... Now if only they had made a documentary... I should make a documentary- just so i can go and taste these dishes!!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
a facinating look at entomophagy around the globe!,
By "spiderwmn" (SC United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects (Paperback)
I saw this book in a nature store a couple of years ago and was immediately captivated by it's gorgeous photography and tasty subject matter. This is the ultimate "gross out" book for insect-haters and the ultimate insect-enlightenment book for bug-lovers. After reading this book, you'll see why so many other countries utilize insects as a food source and you may even wish that it was more accepted here in the US!(could entomophagy be the answer to many of our health problems?)This book was chock-a-block full of facinating info about other cultures,customs,and cusine,as well as colorful photography and stories! I suggest it to everyone, even the insect-haters :) Maybe they'll develop a "taste" for it (haha)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious!,
This review is from: Man Eating Bugs: The Art and Science of Eating Insects (Paperback)
This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. And I've read a *lot* of books!Peter and Faith's commentary throughout their journey into the delights of bug-eating is intelligent, witty and so enticingly descriptive that you really will feel drawn to savouring deep fried tarantula and stink bug casserole...honestly! The photography is phenomenal, and the intimate insight into cultures other than their own leaves me yearning for more by this couple. Very highly recommended!
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