Paleo Reads

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The Worst Mistake in Human History by Jared Diamond anthropology, health, mind-blowing

 The essay I read as an agriculture student in college that first challenged my notion that agriculture was the basis for human happiness and that life for hunter-gatherers was nasty, brutish, and short.
Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes fat, nutrition, revisionist, science

 Absolutely essential reading for paleo dieters or anyone interested in nutrition. Why? Gary Taubes eviscerates fat-phobia and dietary political correctness, showing why saturated fat is nutritious and sugar is behind most of the problems we blame on fat. 
The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson basics, paleo-diet

Another great introduction to the paleo diet, an excellent book for beginners.
The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat by Loren Cordain basics, paleo

A good basic introduction to the paleo diet.
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price hunter-gatherers, indigenous, mind-blowing, nutrition, teeth

I used to think that modern people were healthy, but when I read this book I was shocked to realize that things we take for granted as just nuisances caused by bad genes, like crooked teeth and narrow pelvises, are a result of inadequete nutrition. It also is among the books that finally convinced me to take the plunge into eating offal and oily fish. Furthermore, it's free online!
The Original Econiche of the Genus Homo: Open Plain or Waterside? by Marc Verhaegen evolution, fish, iodine, marine, omega-3 fatty acids, seaweed

 A short scientific paper about the role of marine foods in human evolution. Many of us envision our paleolithic ancestors living on the African Savanna and eating lion meat, but it's more likely we lived by the water and thrived on oysters. The evidence is in the iodine and omega-3 fatty acids that our brains crave. A good read and an even better reminder not to forget marine foods when hunting, gathering, or just shopping at the grocery store. 
Make Prayers to the Raven: A Koyukon View of the Northern Forest by Richard K. Nelson arctic, indigenous, nature, spirituality

An anthropological study of an arctic tribe written in narrative form, this is a beautiful book that fleshes out aspects of life that are often ignored even by those who follow primal diets. Food is more than just survival, it has important spritual aspects that tie it to us and the places we live.
Heart and Blood by Richard K. Nelson deer, ecology, hunting, wild game

A beautifully written book on the truth about deer, as well as the human place in the ecosystem
Limited Wants, Unlimited Means: A Reader On Hunter-Gatherer Economics And The Environment by Anthology economics, essays, primitivism, sustainable

It's been a long time since I read this book as a an economics/anthropology student, but it had a big impact on me. The essays are diverse and provide plenty of food for thought. The essays also shred pop-culture stone age myths about everything from longevity to the status of women. You can read one of the essays for free online- the seminal The Original Affluent Society by Marshall Sahlins.
Against the Grain by Richard Manning agriculture, history, hunter, revisionist

Almost like an extension of Jared Diamond's The Worst Mistake. Manning challenges the notion that agriculture represented progress for the human race by telling us about what we lost by adopting it- our health, for example.
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon fermentation, recipes, traditional, WAPF

This recipe book is a great introduction to healthy traditions of agrarian cultures all over the world and to the wonders of healthy fats.
Bones: Recipes, History, and Lore by Jennifer McLagen bones, cooking, marrow, recipes, stock

Wait! Don't ever throw away those bones! Learn how to get valuable nutrients and make delicious foods from them! Not a paleo cookbook, but learning how to use bones is an essential paleo skill!
The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith nutrition, sustainability, vegetarianism

 Is veganism really the healthiest and most sustainable diet? Lierre does a great job taking down the popular myths of plant-based diets. 
Ten Canoes by Rolf de Heer Australia, film, hunter-gatherer

Ten Canoes is one of the rare films I've seen that is about the rhythms of hunter-gatherer daily life. I often suggest it to people who seem to think of such civilizations as missing something without writing, but this film makes it clear how complex and rich their oral culture is. 
Momofuku by David Chang fat, pork, recipes, stock

Learn how to really use lard and to make delicious and nourishing Asian dashi stocks.
Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient with Recipes by Jennifer McLagen fat, recipes, revisionist

Not all the recipes are paleo, but it's a great book for those new to viewing fat as valuable and nutritious rather than unhealthy and greasy. Delicious mouth-watering pictures of some of "nature's gold" seal the deal.
Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice agarian, cooking, recipes, traditional

A cookbook that nourishes the body and the soul. Explore ancient traditions and learn how they can improve your life. This cookbook makes a great gift because it is a simple introduction to healthy eating.
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz agrarian, fermentation, traditional

Learn how to use fermentation to get the most out of your food. And Sandor ferments pretty much everything in this book. A huge variety of valuable information for anyone.
Primal Body Primal Mind by Nora Teresa Gedgaudas low-carb, paleo, primal, sleep, weight loss

This book is more geared towards those already into natural foods who want to use the evolutionary paradigm to improve health.
The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker mind, politics, psychology

It's not only our bodies that were made for the Stone Age, but our minds as well. Steven Pinker explores the implications of this and how misconceptions about our minds taint our ideas.
Singing the Turtles to Sea: The Comcáac (Seri) Art and Science of Reptiles by Gary Nabhan indigenous, seafood, traditions

A fascinating account of struggle of Seri Indians to preserve their culture and food traditions. The Seri diet itself is interesting because of the wide variety of animals and the spiritual relationship they have with what they eat.
Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes by Daniel Everett anthropology, hunter-gatherers, indigenous, linguistics

Fascinating both for Daniel's personal journey and his accounts of life among one of the most unusual of the Amazonian tribes.