Read The Omega Principle Seafood and the Quest for a Long Life and a Healthier Planet Paul Greenberg 9780143111115 Books

Product details Paperback 304 pages Publisher Penguin Books; Reprint edition (July 9, 2019) Language English ISBN-10 0143111116

The Omega Principle Seafood and the Quest for a Long Life and a Healthier Planet Paul Greenberg 9780143111115 Books Reviews

• The Audio version of The Omega Principle, is charmingly read by author Paul Greenberg. His compassionate voice enriched my understanding of this complex story of Ocean Health, Climate Change, Food Systems and our own engagement or not in our health and the health of our planet. At times I laughed out loud and at others I cried. I think I felt how the author felt. Do we feel our efforts at changing our bad habits are futile or important and worthwhile? The main take away is that our lives depend on changing how we produce and acquire food and that our own health and the health of our planet cannot be broken down in segments or isolated incidents or maladies. Our bodies and our planet have to be treated holistically. Everything and everyone is connected. We are all in the same boat. Listening to his voice drew me closer to the story and made me feel as though Mr. Greenberg brought me along on his journey around the world as he chased down and made clear a previously unimaginable story of Omega 3s and 6s. We can't let commodity crops determine how we eat, we have to decide for ourselves what is healthiest for us and that will lead to what is best for the planet. I am so glad I listened to this story. I love it!
• The Omega Principle is a brilliant and engaging book that works on many levels as a rousing environmental manifesto, a moving midlife memoir, and a gripping historical narrative about the shifting tides of geopolitical power.
  
  Greenberg writes fluidly about how we are going to hell in a handbasket - overfishing our oceans and exhausting ourselves - and hoping that we can magically reverse years of unhealthy habits with a daily golden capsule of fish oil, that, by the way, is produced by destroying the bedrock species of little fish upon which our larger ocean ecosystems depend.
  
  His writing is full of fascinating asides and, although this is a meticulously researched non-fiction book, it reads like a great novel. Some of the most interesting characters 18th century explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the last doomed Incan emperor Atahualpa, rich guy turned ocean activist dubbed Jet Ski Brian, and, of course, Greenberg himself. In the closing lines, Greenberg says poetically of the people he's encountered while writing The Omega Principle "Even in the face of cataclysm, their central mission was to realize completely lived lives." A good reminder to us all.
  
  READ THIS BOOK! If typical summer reading recs get you down - too flimsy or frothy - this is the book for you. A funny and fascinating page-turner that equips you with information to lead a healthier and happier life and engage more deeply with the world around you.
• This is a great book that is supported through research. The author does an incredible job keeping the reader engaged while explaining complex principles. Must read for those interested in fishery conservation or sustainable food.
• For someone whose usual pick in a bookshop is fiction, particularly sci-fi and YA, this may seem an unusual choice for a binge-read and a five-star rating. But let me tell you - this is no usual book. Paul Greenberg takes on the molecule at the centre of a multi billion-dollar industry and scientific debate - omega-3, and explains why we're talking about it, what is its actual medical value and how these conversations came about. Needless to say, the subject is associated most with the supplement industry (and hence often tainted by commercial advertising in our minds), or analyses aimed at debunking the aforementioned supplements. And yet this book intricately sidesteps the expected bias and dry scientific literature to get to the heart of the matter.
  
  As always, this isn't just a plain pro/con argument about a single molecule - this gets personal. The book is full of fascinating anecdotes, personal stories and incredible interviewees all aiming to provide a glimpse at every possible side of this argument. The author highlights the omega molecule as something so much bigger than simply a health supplement - it gives the history of its discovery, its journey into commercialism, the science behind the medical benefits (or lack thereof, depending on the source!) and so much more. And he doesn't just leave you hanging - he signposts the future discussions likely to take place - scientific or otherwise, so once you finish reading, you can keep learning.
  
  This book is important. It's brilliant. But most of all - it's damn enjoyable to read. So do yourself a favour and get a copy for your summer reading.