Re-Imagining Milk

by Andrea S. Wiley

Written explicitly for undergraduates, Re-imagining Milk demonstrates how a particular commodity can be used to illustrate ethnocentric beliefs about the universal goodness of milk; biological variation in human populations; political and economic processes that inform dietary policies, nutrition education, and current trends in globalization; the utility of a biocultural approach to the study of food; the cultural construction of a commodity that is consumed by many students on a daily basis, or if not, certainly is one that students "know" they "should" consume daily.

Genres: Anthropology

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2010

Reviews

[Valerie]

A really interesting look at the politics and some of the subtle factors that play into milk consumption and advertising in this country. Discusses the prevalence of lactose intolerance/ lactase impersistance and the brings to question ethics of the tolerance treatment of those experiencing these symptoms. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in Anthropology, Milk consumption, United States Policies, or underlying implications of race and class in America.

[Kayleigh]

3.5 This was pretty good!! I really enjoyed the first few chapters but felt like it kept reiterating the same points over and over to where it got a little annoying. But overall it gave great perspective on the history of milk consumption, how it is a part of globalization/Westernization, and nationalist rhetoric especially about childhood growth and strength. Written in a very accessible and engaging way too and not a hard read!

[Erin]

This book manages to cover a lot of information in relatively few pages—and all without getting bogged down by overuse of statistics.

[Allison]

I can't remember everything about this book since I read it for a class a few years ago, but it did include interesting bits on lactose intolerance, and the new prevalence of milk sales in Asia (despite the prevalence of lactose intolerance there).

[Christine]

Very informative read. Though full to the brim of statistics and facts, overall it provides a well-rounded exploration of the evolution of milk consumption in the world.