Customer Reviews

Let Them Eat Flax: 70 All-New Commentaries on the Science of Everyday Food & Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have got every one of the books by Dr. Schwarz, and I have to say every one of them is great. He explained the Chemistry of Food and Life in a fun way that most people can understand.

One thing I would like is, may be in the future the books can include the chemical structures of the compounds discussed, perhaps at the end of the book? I know not everyone will be interested in this, but I certainly like to know more about them. A list of structures of the compounds discussed in the previous books will also be most welcome to me.

Dr. Schwarcz makes chemistry fun and accessible to his readers. Science is not a boring subject, to be leaned in school and them forgotten. It shapes our world. A true understanding of chemistry helps us eat better, perform, and live longer lives. It also keeps us away from all the crooks who try to sell us magical solutions to real medical conditions.

He is informative and humourous. Most sections are very short which makes the book accessible to young readers from the age of nine.

The one science I hated in school was chemistry, but after reading Dr. Joe's books, I'm wondering why! ...and when he focuses on food, he helps us steer a path through all of the contradictory noise on health that is blared at us.

Dr. Schwarz's insightful/inciteful tidbits of biochemical information are, though sometimes outlandish, extremely timely and interesting. I've been studying nutrition for 35 years and mostly he's right on. Up-to-date facts and myths are most helpful when perusing the grocery aisles or taking meds or vitamins.

One of the best mythbusting books around. Good reading for most all ages and stages of life.

Joan

He's funny, smart, quick, informative and interesting - what's not to like? All his books are great - great gifts for teens also.

I just like good science books, and Schwarcz clearly delivers on making the science interesting by providing interesting details, explaining the research, and debunking a variety of myths along the way. So, this book was right up my alley, anyway. But, it's also written in a series of very short articles, so it's one of those perfect little books to leave on the breakfast bar, a favorite coffee-drinking spot, the bathroom, in any of those places where it's nice to have something to read, but you don't stay for long periods of time. Trust me, you'll pick this book up again and again. I actually have a copy by my bed. I'll read a few of articles before a nap on a lazy afternoon, and I usually read a couple if I finish a longer book, but I'm not ready to start a new book.

I guess at this point, I should mention that I worked my way through my undergrad years (and a couple that I took off from my undergrad work) as a cook and chef, and I later worked for a decade in the food manufacturing industry. I was looking for a couple of books on food chemistry, as I started reading up on molecular gastronomy. Now that I've left the food industry, I'm much more interested in experimenting in the kitchen, again. This book offers a few articles along this line, but this is NOT the best book for chefs looking for more information on that topic. His focus generally follows mainstream health and nutrition research. And that's too bad, because I would LOVE to read Schwarcz writing on molecular gastronomy.

I have enjoyed reading all of his books and as a science educator, I look for easy to read books for secondary students. This book generally meets that goal. Some chapers are more readable than others for high school students. This book is also very good for teachers. It makes connections between book science and experienced science.

Let Them Eat Flax: 70 All-New Commentaries on the Science of Everyday Food & Life could've been featured in our 'Food and Wine' or 'Science' section, but is reviewed here for its in-depth blend of science and history with food and health issues. From trans fats and vitamin supplements to pesticides and acupuncture, readers learn about the chemistry behind health, food, and related issues.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

The first half of the book is on what I expected, nutrition and health. In the second half he rambles onto miscellaneous topics in chemistry, explosives, poisons, murders, inventors, etc. Many stories, all delightfully told. He seems to know what he is talking about.

This is an easy read that discusses food chemistry and health. Has many interesting stories and dispels many folk legends while supporting others.