From political propaganda to the profit-first motives behind the food industry, The Political Gut is a no-holds-barred look into the human condition, consumerism, and our overall quality of life. Casper is most convincing when exploring, through anecdotes and on-point data, the effects of sugar, alcohol, and toxic chemicals found in the food people ingest, and how and why clear information about this is kept from much of the public. Illuminating connections between media marketing, politicians, and the food industry, The Political Gut reminds readers that "Humans only know what we are told, have learned, and been trained.”

Also persuasive are Casper’s calls for greater empathy and understanding between people and his insistence that we shouldn’t just “pop an antacid, antibiotic, antidepressant” and “pretend everything is fine.” When it comes to the health of public discourse, though, Casper addresses dark and divisive politics in general and often metaphorical terms, arguing broadly that "Toxic food creates toxic humans." Still, approaching toxicity and the manipulation of the public from fresh angles—psychologically, scientifically, politically—The Political Gut offers much to chew on.

Takeaway: Bold journey into gut health, food politics, and the toxicity of our modern lives.

Comparable Titles: Mark Schatzker's The Dorito Effect, Chris van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: C
Marketing copy: A-