📖 Overview
David George Gordon is a naturalist, science writer, and author known for his books about edible insects and other unconventional foods. He has written extensively about cooking and eating bugs, earning him the nickname "The Bug Chef."
Gordon has authored multiple popular science books including "The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook" and "The Complete Cockroach: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Despised (and Least Understood) Creature on Earth." His work combines scientific knowledge with practical cooking advice and cultural insights about entomophagy - the practice of eating insects.
Beyond insects, Gordon has written field guides and natural history books covering topics like marine life of the Pacific Northwest and the secret lives of snails. He regularly gives lectures and cooking demonstrations at museums, schools, and food festivals across North America.
As an expert on alternative protein sources and sustainable eating, Gordon has been featured in National Geographic, Time Magazine, and other major media outlets. His work bridges the gap between entomology and gastronomy while advocating for insects as a viable food source.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Gordon's accessible writing style and ability to make entomophagy approachable through humor and practical recipes. Reviews highlight his clear instructions and scientific accuracy while keeping topics light and entertaining.
What readers liked:
- Clear, detailed cooking instructions and sourcing information
- Balance of science and practical application
- Photography and illustrations
- Engaging presentation of potentially squeamish topics
What readers disliked:
- Some recipes require hard-to-source ingredients
- Price point considered high for slim volumes
- Basic content in field guides compared to other references
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook averages 3.8/5 from 89 ratings
- Amazon: Most titles maintain 4+ stars, with Bug Cookbook at 4.4/5 from 122 reviews
Notable reader comment: "Gordon makes eating insects seem not just possible but fun. The recipes are surprisingly straightforward and the science helps overcome the ick factor." - Amazon reviewer
📚 Books by David George Gordon
The Eat-A-Bug Cookbook
A practical guide containing recipes and preparation techniques for cooking various edible insects, with detailed nutritional information and sourcing tips.
The Complete Cockroach A comprehensive examination of cockroach biology, behavior, and cultural significance throughout human history.
Field Guide to the Slug A natural history guide covering slug species of the Pacific Northwest, their behaviors, and ecological roles.
Secret World of Slugs and Snails A detailed exploration of gastropod life cycles, habitats, and their interactions with the environment.
The Pacific Coast: A Guide to Intertidal Marine Life An identification guide to coastal marine creatures found along the Pacific Northwest shoreline.
Seattle Foraging A field guide to finding and identifying edible plants in the Seattle area's urban and wilderness environments.
The Complete Cockroach A comprehensive examination of cockroach biology, behavior, and cultural significance throughout human history.
Field Guide to the Slug A natural history guide covering slug species of the Pacific Northwest, their behaviors, and ecological roles.
Secret World of Slugs and Snails A detailed exploration of gastropod life cycles, habitats, and their interactions with the environment.
The Pacific Coast: A Guide to Intertidal Marine Life An identification guide to coastal marine creatures found along the Pacific Northwest shoreline.
Seattle Foraging A field guide to finding and identifying edible plants in the Seattle area's urban and wilderness environments.
👥 Similar authors
Peter Menzel
Menzel photographed and documented food culture and eating habits around the world in his books like "Man Eating Bugs" and "What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets." His work explores cultural relationships with insects as food through a photojournalistic lens.
Marcel Dicke Dicke studies insect-plant relationships and advocates for insects as sustainable food in books like "The Insect Cookbook." He combines scientific expertise with practical cooking applications focused on entomophagy.
Eugenia Bone Bone writes about microbiology, mushrooms, and food science in books like "Mycophilia" and "Microbia." Her work connects natural science with food culture and practical applications.
Jeffrey Lockwood Lockwood writes about insects from both scientific and cultural perspectives in books like "Six-Legged Soldiers" and "The Infested Mind." His work examines human-insect relationships through multiple lenses including entomology, psychology, and history.
Carl Safina Safina writes about marine life, ecology, and human relationships with nature in books like "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Beyond Words." His work combines field research with cultural and environmental insights similar to Gordon's Pacific Northwest marine life writings.
Marcel Dicke Dicke studies insect-plant relationships and advocates for insects as sustainable food in books like "The Insect Cookbook." He combines scientific expertise with practical cooking applications focused on entomophagy.
Eugenia Bone Bone writes about microbiology, mushrooms, and food science in books like "Mycophilia" and "Microbia." Her work connects natural science with food culture and practical applications.
Jeffrey Lockwood Lockwood writes about insects from both scientific and cultural perspectives in books like "Six-Legged Soldiers" and "The Infested Mind." His work examines human-insect relationships through multiple lenses including entomology, psychology, and history.
Carl Safina Safina writes about marine life, ecology, and human relationships with nature in books like "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Beyond Words." His work combines field research with cultural and environmental insights similar to Gordon's Pacific Northwest marine life writings.