Here are a few great books about food to kick back with at the beach this summer. Please note that by “great”, I don’t mean to suggest that they romanticize food in the least. Actually, they are very aggressive in talking about what is wrong with the state of food and eating today. But, as far as educating yourself goes (and ain’t that what we’re trying to do?), ya can’t beat ‘em with a stick.

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health– My friend, Donny Guns, our local weight-loss-muscle-packing-surfer-in-NY dude, turned me onto this book. It almost immediately made him go ultra-orthodox vegan. A fascinating study of the effects of nutrition on the population.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals– This book delightfully confused the hell out of me, and I don’t think I was able to eat without a great deal of forethought for weeks afterward. But Pollen’s delivery is never over the top and it makes for a very quick and interesting read.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto– Pollen’s follow up to The Omnivore’s Dilemma, this book gives a rough and tumble look at the Western diet (such as it is) as well as the food industry as a whole.

So kick back with a couple of margaritas and some BBQ and have a terrific read!!

Rock on!