The Food Explorer

I had heard a review on NPR of The Food Explorer, by Daniel Stone, and when the reviewer mentioned that the book revolved around the life and a Kansan and his contributions to the foods we eat, I decided to read it.  I didn’t realize then that the lead character, David Fairchild, was the son of a former President of KSU, and his eventual “adversary” was Charles Marlatt, for whom the dormitory at KSU was named (I think).  

If you have eaten avocadoes, mangoes, lemons, cashews, papaya, watermelon, grapes, mushrooms, pomegranates, even quinoa – and many other fruits and vegetables – you have David Fairchild to thenk.  If you have enjoyed the cherry trees in Washington DC – those that flower but bear no fruit – thank David Fairchild again.  The list of contributions the man who few have heard of is long and grand.

Interestingly, he was married to Alexander Graham Bell’s daughter, and they lived a happy and “fruitful” life.  Before he was married, he had many harrowing experiences, including riding a mule 150 miles through jungles and mountains while journeying from Chile to Argentina. He was nearly thrown off a 1000-foot abyss when his mule lost his footing on the ice.  

This was an easy-reading book, full of amazing stories and information.  Anyone who likes to eat should read this and appreciate the efforts of David Fairchild, who brought us the food, and equally of Charles Marlatt, who tried to keep dangerous bugs and bacteria under control.