The book for the fifth annual Campus Community Book Project has been chosen — The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan.

The university invites all members of the campus community — undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members — to read the book and to participate in planning and attending the related events in the fall.

Pollan teaches journalism at UC Berkeley's Graduate School Journalism and directs the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism.

His book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, coincides with the campus's Foods for Health initiative, an interdisciplinary effort to address issues of nutrition, obesity, availability of healthy foods, organic farming, industrial food production, and more.

Pollan's narrative transports readers from "Iowa cornfields to food science laboratories, from feedlots and fast-food restaurants to organic farms and hunting grounds," in order to explore the interlocking dynamics that influence diet.

The book traces the history of corn products in individuals' diet, the environment and impact of cattle feed-lots, the economic issues surrounding farm subsidies, the implications of eating a vegetarian diet, and a host of other topics.

Pollan writes, "What's at stake in our eating choices is not only our own and our children's health, but the health of the environment that sustains life on earth."

Based on his extensive research on the production and history of food, Pollan's work offers a unique blend of personal and investigative journalism. A contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and an editor for Harper's Magazine, he has also authored three previous books: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, A Place of My Own, and Second Nature.

Due out in early April from Penguin Press, The Omnivore's Dilemma will be available for review at the Office of Campus Community Relations and the University Writing Program. The UC Davis Bookstore will offer a discounted price of $16.95 through next fall.

The Book Project, sponsored by the Campus Council on Community and Diversity, seeks to strengthen the sense of community among students, staff, faculty, and community members by providing a common experience and provoking dialogue.

By reading and analyzing a book together, campus members are offered the opportunity to share insights and explore those of others.

The campus encourages faculty to integrate the book into existing courses and to develop freshman seminars and other experimental courses that study topics the book raises. Also, campus units and student and community organizations are urged to incorporate the book into training and development and book club activities.

Last year, Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, was the campus community book project selection. It was a story about two young boys growing up in Afghanistan before the Taliban ruled that country.

The Campus Council on Community and Diversity kicked off its first book project in the fall of 2002 with award-winning author Anne Fadiman's The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.

Book events

The planning process for the fifth annual Campus Community Book Project will begin shortly. Those interested in participating may contact Karen Roth of Campus Community Relations at (530) 752-2071 or kmroth@ucdavis.edu.