"Provides a sturdy literary exoskeleton to the field of human
insectivory . . . it entertains as it enlightens." -- Daniella Martin,
author of Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the
Last Great Hope to Save the Planet
Will eating insects change the world for the better?
Meet the beetles: there are millions and millions of them and many fewer
of the rest of us -- mammals, birds, and reptiles. Since before recorded
history, humans have eaten insects. While many get squeamish at the
idea, entomophagy -- people eating insects -- is a possible way to
ensure a sustainable and secure food supply for the eight billion of us
on the planet.
Once seen as the great enemy of human civilization, destroying our crops
and spreading plagues, we now see insects as marvelous pollinators of
our food crops and a potential source of commercial food supply. From
upscale restaurants where black ants garnish raw salmon to grubs as pub
snacks in Paris and Tokyo, from backyard cricket farming to high-tech
businesses, Eat the Beetles! weaves these cultural, ecological, and
evolutionary narratives to provide an accessible and humorous
exploration of entomophagy.
"Waltner-Toews punctuates this serious subject with his quirky humor .
. . Eat the Beetles! is an essential part of a growing buzz." --
Toronto Star
"An excellent read for those interested in multiple perspectives on
the issue of entomophagy, digging deep into science and math with flair
and irreverence." -- Scene Magazine
"When it comes to the future of insects as food for humans and
livestock, Waltner-Toews walks the line between skepticism and optimism
in an intelligent, witty, and provocative analysis." -- Jeffrey A.
Lockwood, author of The Infested Mind
"Full of humor and science, this edible insect book is definitely a
must-read!" --EntoMove Project
