This is a remarkable volume showing 80 people around the world and their typical meal or diet for a day. It is arranged from lowest to highest number of calries consumed. Thus it starts off with a female Maasai herder, who gets by on 800 calories, through an Israeli rabbi consuming 3100 calories to the Snacker Mom in Great Britain who occasionally binges up to 12,300. A little history is presented of each person along side a full description of their meals, and their age height and weight. Pictures are shown of their meals, sometimes the preparation, along with some working at their occupation. The text is engaging written by Faith D'Aluisio.

The volume is well photographed by Peter Menzel, who is the lead 'author', and is part of Material World book series.

The big surprise came on Page 102, a picture of a man who attends the same church in Manhattan that I do. He is listed as an unemployed resident of the street of Manhattan. We know each other by name and there is a picture of him sitting at a table near the free standing organ located on the north side of the nave. The Church of the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen serves about 1200 guests every weekday (Monday through Friday, including holidays). Ted's midday meal at CHA is the only meal of significance he has. Ted frequently attends Sunday services (Episcopal) and occasionally takes pictures. I've appeared in a couple carrying a torch in a liturgical procession ( )

I am so very pleased that I purchased "What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets" by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio. I was curious after reading an unusually glowing review in a major national newspaper and assumed that I might want to buy this book. I have a strong interest in books about food. In particular, I love books about eating healthy and responsibly. I also enjoy books about different cuisines around the world. But what really pushed me over the edge and made me click on that "Add to Cart" button was this: "What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets" looked like it might be a major contribution to modern cultural anthropology. I am a retired academic librarian, and a voracious reader of literature, history, natural history, biology, psychology, anthropology, and many other academic fields. I have a demanding and inquiring mind…and frankly, this book looked like something that would delight and satisfy my intellectual curiosity on many fronts. I was not disappointed.

I've learned so much about the world and myself from studying and reading this book.

It took me more than two weeks to finish it…and, even then, I did not want it to end. I slowly savored every image and every word. I can't remember when another book has given me so many exceptionally pleasurable reading hours. I will want to come back and reread and review this book many times. It may look like a gorgeous coffee table book, but it is so much more.

This book belongs in the collection of every academic and public library. It would make a magnificent and memorable gift to anybody who has strong intellectual curiosity about food or modern cultural anthropology. But, you don't have to be an academic to love this book; having an extraordinary interest in people is enough. This book can be examined and enjoyed on many levels…it is rich with content.

Buy a copy! For once, I have to admit that this is not the type of book you want to borrow from a library. You'll be happy that you own it. But be forewarned: once your friends see it, they will want to borrow it. ( )