This represents a follow-up to the previous Vogler work on Britain's food history, Scoff. In both works, the title clearly has a dual meaning: here one can stuff food gluttonously, or one can be stuffed, as in out of luck, hungry and destitute. Stuffed was written in the context of COVID-19, where the pandemic brought into sharp relief the question of whether or not and by what extent the state should intervene in feeding its citizens. Vogler also poses the question of whether they should care what they feed them — especially relevant in the context of ultra-processed food and its damaging consequences. It would be fair to say that Vogler is stronger when accounting for the history of how various foods have evolved. Her trivia and depth of research is phenomenal. However, at circa 400 pages, this is a dense tome that perhaps lacks cohesion in some places. Vogler is also weaker, and arguably sits on the fence too much, when pondering the politics of food. Nonetheless, this remains an excellent reference text, ideal for dipping into. Not rated.
By Pen Vogler