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Every book Harold McGee recommended on podcasts
Dr. Harold McGee appears on prominent interview podcasts such as Huberman Lab and Modern Wisdom, where he establishes himself as an expert authority on the science of food, taste, and sensory perception. Through these discussions, McGee reveals a multidisciplinary intellect that seamlessly bridges rigorous scientific inquiry with art, history, and literature. On the Huberman Lab episode exploring the chemistry of food and taste, Harold McGee recommended reading John Keats's poem To Autumn, suggesting it as a way to add a deeper dimension of appreciation to the poet's work following a discussion of Keats's medical background and personal experiences with illness. Furthermore, during his appearance on Modern Wisdom, McGee discussed Herman Melville's classic novel Moby-Dick while examining the history and literary presence of ambergris. Through these literary references, McGee demonstrates how classic poetry and novels intersect with historical science and sensory exploration, enriching his scientific discussions with profound cultural context.
Books recommended by Harold McGee
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To autumn
To Autumn by John Keats is a celebrated lyric poem that captures the rich sensory details, quiet transitions, and natural beauty of the autumn season.
Recommended“To know that and then to read a poem like "To Autumn," which is the poem that I would suggest people read, just adds a dimension of appreciation to that poem.”
Where to get it
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MOBY-DICK; or, THE WHALE
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville is a classic American novel detailing Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale.
Discussed“well we do have over here this this classic novel moby dick about the whaling industry there's a lot about ambergris in in moby dick”
Where to get it
Books Harold McGee wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chemistry of Food & Taste | Dr. Harold McGee | Huberman Lab | 2025-06-30 | 1 |
| The Science Of How Smells Work - Harold McGee - #257 | Modern Wisdom | 2020-12-12 | 1 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“i mean one of the things that i write about in the book is the smell of a laptop you know if you stick your nose down next to the keys and inhale you'll get the smell of the the circuit boards in there which are made of particular molecules that are given off and so it has a very”