THE FOOD EXPLORER

The True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Botanist Who Transformed What America Eats
by Daniel Stone

Thank goodness for the twice-yearly “Authors on Stage” program at Wellesley College, which I’ve happily attended for years with my friend, Pam. If not for this wonderful series, which each time features three authors talking about their new books, I may never have found The Food Explorer. As the title suggests, the book tells the remarkable story of David Fairchild, an American botanist, who from the late nineteenth century well into the twentieth, devoted his life to traveling the world in search of new plants and foods that he could bring back to America. He added a vast quantity of foods to Americans’ diets and increased by a huge amount the diversity of what farmers grow.

After a rocky start to his huge undertaking, Fairchild met and dazzled Barbour Lathrop, a wealthy, eccentric San Franciscan who ended up financing Fairchild’s expeditions. The stories of his trips to Europe, the Far East, South America and Africa are captivating. You won’t believe how many foods he personally introduced to our diet. What an adventure story. Fairchild showed incredible dedication and endless perseverance in his quest. Similar to The Widow Clicquot (Tilar J. Mazzeo), which I reviewed last month, you will find yourself reading parts of this fascinating book out loud to whomever will listen. The Food Explorer is a real joy to read. (Liz)