Eating and thinking, both vital. If one goes down, the other will restore. A wonderful book

- Fergus Henderson,

Engaging and cleverly illustrated... A beguiling mix of insights from philosophy, psychology and sociology

- Cain Todd, TLS

Julian dances through the complex ethical dilemmas around food. With a practical and deeply human philosophy, his razor-sharp intellect brings clarity to our daily lunchtime choices. In a challenging and inspirational tour of allotments, supermarkets and dinner tables, Baggini puts philosophy into our reach: The Virtues of the Table could sit happily alongside the recipe books in everyone's kitchen

- Harriet Lamb, CEO of Fairtrade International,

Baggini's The Virtues of the Table is a virtuoso feast for the mind and soul. A lively, thought provoking read. Bite-sized but filling, this delightful volume is sure to satisfy the philosopher and foodie in us all

- Francine Segan, author, The Philosopher's Kitchen

In this book, Baggini serves up a refreshingly new approach to the often familiar and pressing issues behind the food we eat. It is surprisingly free from dogma, imploring us to be virtuous rather than rigid in our food choices. It charts one man's journey through the moral maize of gastronomy with compelling and mouth-wateringly informative prose. A must-read for thinking food lovers everywhere

- Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive Compassion in World Farming,

Raymond Aron told Jean-Paul Sartre that according to his philosophy, Sartre ought to be able to philosophise about a cocktail. Yet Sartre never quite managed to say anything very illuminating about drink or food. Julian Baggini has triumphed where Sartre failed: he has written brilliantly about food and drink in all their cultural, scientific and philosophical complexity. Written in Baggini's typically limpid and effortlessly readable style, The Virtues of the Table is a wonderful book -- full of wisdom, information and (in a particularly nice touch) a well-chosen recipe for each chapter. Anyone who has ever thought about the meaning and significance of what we eat and drink will want to devour this book

- Tim Crane, Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge,

Entertaining [and] thought-provoking

Bookseller

Baggini expertly dismantles self-congratulatory assumptions about the evils of large industry and chain restaurants or the superiority of organic food and local eating

- Steven Poole, Guardian

Thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking

Irish Independent

This is interesting stuff and shows Baggini at his best, drawing from a glorious range of sources to produce engaging thought

- Alex Renton, Observer

Baggini brilliantly picks apart the contradictions and inherent hypocrisies of the 'new food orthodoxies'.... Even-handed to the last

- Roger Lewis, The Times

A great success

- Tom Payne, Daily Telegraph

He combines scrupulous argument with fastidious respect for common sense

Wall Street Journal

Each chapter ends with a mouth-watering description, not strictly a recipe, of how to prepare a wholesome treat. A book that stimulates mind and palate

- Tom Moriarty, Irish Times

Never dry or over-academic, leavening reason with wit. Several writers have attempted philosophies of food. This philosopher does a better job and with more humour

- Tim Hayward 'Books of the Year', Financial Times

A thought-provoking and entertaining foray into food

Mail on Sunday

[Baggini's] most appealing book yet... an enlightening work of practical philosophy very much grounded in the real world

Herald

Well-argued with bags of humorous reflections, ethical dilemmas and astute observations and will make you see your food choices in a new light

- Julia Richardson, Daily Mail

Enlightening and provocative

Irish Examiner

There's plenty to agree and disagree with in this book but if you are interested in why the subject of food makes us feel so strongly, then this is a great

Health Food Business