Product Description
Food writer Colin Spencer discusses those who came to vegetarianism by choice, not necessity, from the religions that preach it such as Hinduism and Seventh Day Adventism to the notable individuals who have practiced it, including Leonardo da Vinci and Gandhi. In this accessible history of vegetarianism, Spencer also explores the psychology of abstention and the ideas that have informed a meat-free diet throughout the ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fine reprint of 1995's "The Heretic's Feast"
My son asked if one could survive only on meat. Contrarily, I looked this book up to find out. Orthodoxy and conformity long allied with the herding & consumption of animals. To those in control, those refusing to eat flesh posed a social and moral threat. Not eating meat equalled rebellion against the state, the faith, and the norm.

Spencer starts with early hominids and ends with fast food. He roams necessarily widely, if focusing most modern attention to the British take on vegetarianism. Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and India all earn ancient testimony for a long-lived counter-cultural tradition. While Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures appear to have come down harder on what become known as "Pythagorean" practices, the Hindus seem to have had a more balanced approach. A "dharma-sutra" ca. 600 BCE counselled: "In eating flesh, in drinking intoxicating liquors and in carnal intercourse there is no sin, for such enjoyments are natural, but absention from them produces great reward." ((qtd. 76)

For the West, however, resistance to meat-eating smacked more of deprivation than moderation. Spencer defends deftly the reputation of Epicurus as more principled than "epicurean" today connotes. Gluttony came from satiation which left one more deprived than before, Epicurus reasoned. So, as with any addiction or longing, the cure stemmed from avoiding anger, irritation, and lust. Pleasure, thus controlled, did not lead to overindulgence but to self-restraint as "the absence of pain."

But such subtleties were lost on many pagan and Christian critics. Sacrifice harbored in its action food plus energy to equal meanings charged with much more than merely roasting a beast. As with Jews, Muslims, or Hindus in their dietary choices, it was impossible to keep secret one's preferences: "the lifestyle is an unspoken criticism." (97) For a radical, it became a mark of humanity and higher standards that often "makes meat-eaters uneasy and they often react aggressively."

The heretical associations of vegetarianism in the Bogomil, Gnostic, and Cathar movements outraged the Church. The renunciation of meat did come out of a more negative refusal by the dissenters to separate themselves from the profane, rather than a celebration of the natural realm as deserving of its own rights. "It is a doctrine that expresses fear of humanity more than a love of God. With such ideas, animals became too easily associated with the devil and his evil minions, hence the domestic cat came to be seen as the witch's familiar."(161)

For most people now as then, vegetarianism may have been involuntary, furthermore. Not out of religious objection or ethical solidarity, but because of poverty. Only when surpluses exist can a community afford a minority to find alternative foods. For a few faithful Christians, monks and saints, renunciation of meat was not identical with vegetarianism, perhaps oddly to us. Heretics were linked to vegetarianism, but clerics were not. "For a vegetarian philosophy to exist, it needs an ethical system of greater power and significance than the prevailing code in society." (181)

The glimmers of this began for the West with those who chose, for ideological reasons, to eschew meat. The Renaissance alerted Leonardo da Vinci and Giordano Bruno to the options argued by classical predecessors. Here, as in Bruno's proto-holistic system, or Leonardo's rarely cited vegetarianism, a sympathy for animals within the cosmos begins to emerge. Suffering elicits sympathy, and rather than a Christian solution, humanists begin to compete with the Church for an earth-based understanding of harmony and kinship.

As modernity dawns, Spencer concentrates on Britain. The Victorian denial of flesh and its promotion of unadulterated, but often unsalted or unspiced foods, formed the common English stereotype of sandals and nutloaf, bland pablum as fare for pale aesthetes and bearded cranks. This was a wise reaction to the horrors of slaughterhouses, true, but one that went so far in its po-faced rejection that its grim, ascetic influence lingers nearly two centuries later. Dogmatic puritans, the 19c and early 20c proponents of vegetarianism often carried with them a severe air.

George Bernard Shaw, Edward Carpenter, and Leo Tolstoy, famously, symbolized theintellectual contingent. George Orwell fulminated in 1930: "One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words 'Socialism' and 'Communism' draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, 'Nature Cure' quack, pacifist, and feminist in England." (qtd. 299)

Orwell objected to a vegetarian, for not being able "to relate to the working classes," in Spencer's interpretation-- as "a person out of touch with common humanity." Faced by such prejudice, our author wonders if Orwell's disgust is with the bourgeoisie associations; "If Orwell could have found a vegetarian coal miner he might well have written differently." (300) Orwell continues his own holy war against what Spencer labels a "secular heresy" for the Victorians. Immorality, sexual license, and fervent egalitarianism allied with it in popular opinion.

The book moves predictably if appropriately into an outcry against factory farming and ecological degradation. The examples are well-chosen, if again largely British. This is one shortcoming, perhaps, for readers expecting a global treatment; the book narrows as it nears the present into a study of British reactions to the vegetarian refusal. Spencer writes with verve and compassion, and has read widely. The book can be a bit repetitious, but he makes his claims and supports them well.

We face, he concludes, a dual challenge. Consumption of meat psychically for most of us still marks a celebration, an entry into affluence, a fine night out to cash in a bonus or mark a raise. Yet, he reminds us that, despite the persistence of the off-beat vegetarian caricature, abstention from meat also runs through our history back to ancient times as a reminder of our higher nature, in league with Nature.

Today, the notions may persist of woolly-headed middle-class do-gooders, but Spencer, writing this in 1995 ("The Heretic's Feast: A History of Vegetarianism, apparently unchanged in this reprint as "Vegetarianism: A History"), also notes a sea-change in attitudes among those who came of age in the hippie era. Urbanization perhaps ironically or appropriately drove together the scattered rural-based resisters to the meat-eating rule, and the media and markets allowed people in cities to rally, shop together, and raise their own crops in gardens. The seeds of today's farmer's markets, locavores, and green cuisine might be planted a century ago in such alliances.

A noble and eccentric history
This is a delightful social history of vegetarianism focusing primarily on the Western world and the individuals who pioneered "bloodless" cuisine and dietary practice.The section on this lifestyle in 18th century Europe & America is rich in the cast of remarkably thoughtful and reasonable little known characters of great passion who sought to bring the dharma of ahimsa to others.Within 50 miles of where I live there was a mid-19th century attempt at a vegetarian community established by British settlers along the Marmaton river in Bourbon County, Kansas.It lasted barely a year.

Mr. Spencer's style is chatty and anecdotal yet scholarly.Which makes this a great read for anyone not merely dedicated vegetarians. Before reading this book I had thought vegetarianism as a social force was the outgrowth of 19th century intentional community life as with Fruitlands, New Harmony & the Oneida colony culminating in the often bizzare but influencial writings of Sylvester Graham of childhood cracker fame and Seventh day Adventism.As with most subcultures and alternative movements- often they were attempting to manifest a good before its time.Highly recommended.
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Customer Reviews (17)

Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness
What a jewel! Don't let the funky little cover illustration fool you. This is not just some little pop-culture dodad of a book. Yoga and Vegetarianism is a thoroughly informative, wonderfully intelligent book. The link between Yoga and vegetarianism is a beautiful thing and this lovely book helps make that connection undeniable. It may start out a little low-keyed but soon deepens with ongoing inspiration. It is only briefly sentimental concerning the treatment of animals (this is afterall an emotional topic) but paints an enduring picture of the actuality of non-vegetatian lifestyles. I admire and find sisterhood with the heart behind Ms Gannon's words. I have purchased another copy of Yoga and Vegetarianism to give to an interested, but still-on-the-fence friend and feel certain it will give her the needed informative little push toward vegetarianism.

Cookbook for Inner Peace
"Yoga and Vegetarianism" is a fascinating combination of yoga manual, religious/spiritual text, and cookbook. It's a melange. It has something for everyone. Sharon Gannon, who started Jivamukti Yoga in NYC, connects her vegan diet with ahimsa (non-violence) and inner peace. She sees her vegan diet as the path to enlightenment. While she cites the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, her book turns veganism/vegetarianism into a substitute for religion. She proposes an ethical system. Gannon decries the terrible conditions of factory farming and overfishing. She does call for good stewardship of the Earth's resources. However, former vegan Lierre Keith takes issue with vegetarians' sanctimonious naivete in The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability.

The book concludes with some yoga positions, as well as a very short cookbook. She has recipes for raw sauerkraut, "blended" salad, kitchari (an Indian lentil recipe) and oatmeal. Her "detox" diet includes aloe vera juice (one tends to think of aloe vera in soap, not food), seaweed, laxative tea, spirulina, and B12 supplements (since vegans can't obtain B12 naturally through dairy&eggs) When it comes to vegan cuisine, this book is FAR superior Vegan Fusion World Cuisine: Healing Recipes and Timeless Wisdom from our Hearts to Yours

"Yoga and Vegetarianism" is fascinating and thought-provoking. Bon appetit and om shakti!

VegNews on Yoga and Vegetarianism
In Yoga and Vegetarianism, yoga activist and innovator Sharon Gannon discusses the direct connection between one's physical practice and embracing a plant-based diet. Beyond just showing up for a weekly session, what we eat impacts the ultimate goal of any yoga practice: enlightenment. Through her translation and interpretation of ancient Vedic scriptures, Gannon shows how extending yogic philosophy to all aspects of life, including diet, makes for a more effective practice. Examining the Yoga Sutras, a clear proclamation for veganism emerges. The first yama, ahimsa, may be the most obvious but equally compelling example, meaning "non-harming." With eloquent discussions on ahimsa and each subsequent Sutra, Gannon makes it impossible for any yogi to ignore animal rights. Sprinkled throughout the powerful text are inspiring quotes and mantras to reflect upon. For beginners, the book concludes with a detoxifying diet plan and a simple seven-pose flow. Wherever you are in your journey, Gannon provides uplifting and compassionate guidance to reach a more peaceful existence.

COMPASSIONATE PRACTICE AND PALATE
The cover art, number of pages, and even the main title sort of suggests this is a fluffy and shallow book, which it most definitely is not.Well-written in a kind and compassionate tone, Gannon is never patronizing, nor is she one of those authors who tries to be flippant and hip.The thoughtful presentation of her arguments make perfect sense.The tightly-written book is encouraging and informative, with none of the usual filler and repetition.Highly recommended, especially but not exclusively, for those sitting on the fence of either practice.

Yoga & Veganism
I didn't want a book about veganism. I thought this was a book about vegetarianism. I understand the difference and I understand why so many would choose a vegan path but I feel a bit mislead on this. I wish, some where on this page or in the description of the book that it had said it was a book about veganism. ... Read more

Product Description
In her beautifully composed and thoughtful new book,author and activist Carol Adams explores the inner life of spiritualgrowth with the outer life of practical compassion.She shows how thereasons for becoming a vegetarian (to promote health, care for otheranimals, and express concern for the environment) are deeply wedded tospiritual practice.

Adams reveals how the practice of creating mindfulness anddisciplining the midn meshes with becoming an activist fornonviolence, and shows how in our busy and stressed-out world it isessential to sustain and replenish the soul through spiritualdiscipline.Adams discusses breath awareness, meditation, yoga,journaling, and dreamwork as examples of how to keep true to yourselfand your beliefs, maintain your mental equilibrium, and prepare trulydelicious meals with thoughfulness and care.This is an essentialbook for all those who wish to have their soul nourished and followthe spiritual path of vegetarianism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Inner Art of Vegetarianism: Spiritual Practices for Body and Soul
The title alone, The Inner Art of Vegetarianism: Spiritual Practices for Body and Soul, was enough to pique my interest and I have not been disappointed. While I did not read this book in the customary beginning to end fashion, I enjoyed ambling through this multi-faceted book following appealing topics until I had read it in its entirety. With only a few pages that failed to capture my complete attention, I must say I really love this book.

I am a person who underlines and makes notations in my books (don't shoot me!) to serve as breadcrumbs to follow later and such breadcrumbs litter most of the pages of this book. From small to significant; from spiritual to political; from the practical and mundane to the compelling, these tidbits are easily found throughout. Carol J. Adams brings a wholehearted approach to the titled topics and, most interestingly, she comes to her subjects from many levels and directions. She reveals a solid harmonious foundation for her beliefs and her personal systems of behaviour and at the same time gives enticing challenge to the wholeness of the reader's conceptions. The Inner Art of Vegetarianism is an admirable and inspiring work.

Useful book!
This is a beautiful, useful and insightful book.
"Vegetarianism is not so much a diet as an acknowledgement of relationships," Adams writes, "between your choice of food and your body's health; between yourself and your sisters and brothers, the animals; and between your actions and the earth's health."

Easy to read and implement
After reading "The Sexual Politics of Meat" and enjoying Adams' writing, I picked up this book. Her suggestions for incorporating vegetarianism as a spiritual endeavor are inspiring and I have incorporated many of them into my life. If you are able to obtain a copy, there is a companion workbook to this which allows you to do more written exploration of the issues raised in the book. There is also a Meditations book with daily actions and thoughts which is very good.

I didn't give this book five stars because I wish it had ways of incorporating an existing spiritual life (i.e., other religious paths) into this process. But I imagine that is due to Adams' own perspectives and I guess I will have to keep looking! Still, very good.

Carol Adams' writing is very personable and I would love to see her lecture in person some time in the future.

More than just a veg book
I'm really not given to new-age books, so I started reading this one without much enthusiasm -- was I ever won over!I admire Carol Adams so much after reading this.She has struggled with living in a fully conscious way that overcomes mental and emotional obstacles and opens the way for both productivity and inner peace, and her story is inspiring and instructive.I just bought the companion Meditations book and am now working my way through it.I really can't say enough about this book.It's truly fortifying and worth a read. ... Read more

Product Description
From God's first injunction, "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for food." (Gen. 1:29) The Hebrew Bible offers countless examples of how God intends a compassionate and caring attitude toward animals, our health, and the health of the planet. This attitude, as Richard Schwartz shows in his pioneering work now fully revised, has been a constant theme throughout Judaism to the present day.

Indeed, Judaism's particular concern for tikkun olam, a healing of the world, has never been more urgent today—given the current state of world hunger, environmental degradation, and the horror of factory farms. Dr. Schwartz shows not only how Judaism is particularly well suited to solving these problems, but how doing so can revitalize one's Jewish faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

A Judeo-Catholic Indebted To Richard Schwartz
As a longstanding and rather hefty vegetarian, I also firmly felt that my aversion to killing animals, birds and fish for food was rooted in reverence for God's creatures. Richard Schwartz bolstered my spirituality with this compelling and irrefutable book. Genesis One clearly asserted that man was created vegetarian before our fall from grace and plunge into strife. Fortunately, the Prophet Isaiah envisions Messianic times to be an idyllic era wherein men and all creatures will live in peaceful coexistence devoid of bloodshed. Schwartz answers his detractors and accentuates the ecological, moral and human rights benefits of a meatless diet. He also salutes vegetarian advocates including Rav Kook, Rabbi David Rosen and Isaac Singer. If you love this book it will be imperative to purchase and read David Sears' brilliant "Vision Of Eden".

A convincing look at the Bible's look on vegetarianism
I wrote a review on this book for the newsletter for the winter 2001 newsletter for the animal rights group, Last Chance for Animals.I am including my review here:

Richard H. Schwartz's Judaism and Vegetarianism is a useful reference for refuting claims that humans and animals do not deserve equal consideration.It effectively explains and elaborates upon the Bible's stance on vegetarianism and explores other moral and societal issues with which non-religious people can identify; Schwartz even includes a section on how vegetarianism can promote awareness and ultimately resolve these issues.The book also contains answers to common questions, nutritional suggestions, discussions of Jewish vegetarian groups and their activities, biographies of famous Jewish vegetarians, an annotated bibliography, ideas for promoting vegetarianism, and a detailed index.In sum, Schwartz has produced a well-documented, well-reasoned, and very convincing work which ends with a query to Jews who plan to continue eating meat: "In view of strong Jewish mandates to be compassionate to animals, preserve our health, help feed the hungry, preserve and protect the environment, conserve resources, and seek and pursue peace, and the very negative effects animal-centered diets have in each of these areas, will you now become a vegetarian, or at least sharply reduce your consumption of animal products?".

A thorough and in-depth work
Schwartz's treatment of vegetarianism and Judaism is remarkabley thorough. He approaches the topic from the multifaceted avenues of Jewish thinking: Torah, halakhah, values... it's all there. This book is a complete compendium on all the issues and argument pertaining to vegetarianism, concerning for animals, the environment, and more. Schwartz's style is highly readable. He is passionate about his topic, but not emotional. I highly recommend the book to everyone, and certainly for Jews who take our traditions seriously.

Compassion and responsibility
I have read this book thoroughly, and I think it is the most informative, most complete and most readable book about vegetarianism I have ever read. The book is very well structured, the information given is presented clearly and is up to date. Since I am a vegan, I have paid extra attention to what is being said about veganism, and I found the author is objective, accurate and gives sound advice. The B12 issue is dealt with in a responsible manner and I think it is very wise to present the transition to vegetarianism and from there to veganism as a process of growth, where every step counts. The author gives many practical suggestions on how to make changes in your lifestyle without losing touch with family or friends and manages to be firm and friendly at the same time. These things alone make the book a purchase well worth the investment. For me, however, the particular merit of the book lies in the spiritual values that have inspired it. Reading the book from a non-Jewish perspective, what struck me most was that the author has chosen focal points which are relevant to people from all kinds of different backgrounds, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and people who are not religious in the 'traditional' sense. In short, all those who are concerned about the way we relate to our environment from a spiritual point of view. The first focal point is that ethical considerations are more important than habit, convenience, or tradition, and the second is that there will be a price to pay if we chose to ignore the ethical imperative to change our ways. There are many books explaining why it is better for your body to become a vegetarian; there are not many books explaining why it is better for your soul. Richard Schwartz makes the reader see how the themes of inclusion and compassion towards animals are woven all through the Torah. Having read theology at a fairly orthodox Christian college, I have often heard the argument that `since Man was created in the image of God, he was given dominion over all creation' as an excuse for the maltreatment of animals and their reduction to `meat-producing units'. Guided by Richard Schwartz, we are shown that according to the Torah both man and beast are creatures of God, and that our being created in the image of God is not a given, but rather a potential; something to be brought into manifestation by following the pattern God has laid out for us, and that one of the qualities we must manifest is compassion. Instead of feeling very proud of ourselves and thinking that we are like God already, we should realise that we are asked to imitate God in love and concern for all living beings. Instead of 'dominion' we should read 'compassionate stewardship', and that is something else entirely. From the idea of our potential for goodness and compassion, the theme of responsibility is developed. The author shows us how we are responsible, in the sense of being accountable for the wrongs we do not try to stop. By means of the voice of Amos and other prophets he poignantly asks how we can be content and comfortable while others are in great distress, humans or non-humans. I feel that now Europe has recently been plagued by BSE and foot-and-mouth disease, and we have watched the horrors of what is happening every night on television, this question is more pressing than ever. How are we to answer for these things? That is one side of responsibility. The other side is that human beings are called to do justice, to liberate the oppressed, to care for every living being and that it is the way we act in this world, the choices we make and the goals we chose, which form our answer, our response, to God. For me, our human capacity to answer to this call is the basis of faith in a better future for all beings and Richard Schwartz's book has given me every reason not to give up believing. Human beings have the potential to be compassionate and just, and they can learn how to express these qualities. And they will learn more willingly if they are given the facts about oppression and hunger and are shown ways how to change. This is exactly what Richard Schwartz has done. Like the good teacher he is, he shows people what their calling is, where they go wrong, and what they can do to change for the better. This calling is not just for Jews; many people feel that they have a responsibility for the planet and for all that lives there; they just don't know what exactly is going wrong and how to make it better. By enumerating the facts, by showing the consequences of present practices, and by showing the way out, Richard Schwartz makes a very strong case for the vegetarian imperative, no matter what the reader's religion is. I sincerely recommend the book.

Fair-minded and articulate guide
This book is excellent. It is beautifully written, exceptionally complete, and very fair-minded in its tone. The arguments are compelling and clear. I expected a diatribe, but that was not the case at all. Even though I will continue to eat meat, the author raised many pertinent questions andanswered them in a thoughtful, well-reasoned way. ... Read more

Product Description
Stretching back more than two thousand years and spanning diverse traditions, religious vegetarianism has an ancient and rich history. In this book, Kerry S. Walters and Lisa Portmess gather writings that reflect devotional as well as more analytical responses to age-old questions of animal suffering, dietary practice, and human responsibility. These include writings from ancient Orphic and Pythagorean authors, writings that span centuries of Indian and Buddhist thought, and writings from the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Interesting both to those well-versed in the literature of vegetarianism as well as to others encountering it for the first time, are tensions within traditions over the use of animals for food--whether such use is consonant with fundamental values of the faith, whether religious law or tradition requires vegetarian practice, and what place animals are thought to hold in the order of nature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A badly-needed break
This book is a breath of fresh air.All we hear about today when it comes to religions is how they breed intolerance and violence.That may be so for the most part, but Religious Vegetarianism shows the other side.All the major world traditions also have a core of peacefulness and love that extends to humans, animals, and the earth itself.This book shows one way that this core works itself out in practical terms--through what the authors call religious vegetarianism.I give it four starts instead of five because it doesn't discuss paganism, which is the most eco-sensitive of all the world's religions.But it's still a very good read.

God & Food & Nonviolence
For those of us who think that killing animals for food is a violation of deep spiritual laws, this book is a Godsend.At this time, when war and destruction seems right around the corner, beginning to practice nonviolence in our daily lives seems like a good idea.This book helps us along the way.It's a very good partner to Portmess and Walter's earlier book, Ethical Vegetarianism.

Informative
This book is an eyeopener.For the vegetarian as well as the nonvegetarian.It gives a good account of how different religious faiths around the world and across time have preached a meatless diet.It's pretty well known that buddhists and hindus preach vegetarianism, but I was particularly interested to learn there is a strong tradition of vegetarianism in the Jewish and Christian traditions.

It was worth the wait!
I've been looking forward to the publication of this book ever since I heard it was in the works two years ago.It was worth every bit of the wait.It's an excellent companion to Walters and Portmess Ethical Vegetarianism, but it's also a fine book by itself.It discusses religious justifications of vegetarianism from a number of religious traditions.I was especially intrigued by the discussions of Xtian and Jewish vegetarianism.I always thought that there was no spiritual support in these two traditions for vegetarianism, but now I see that this is plain wrong.In fact, Both Xtianity and Judaism have a long tradition of compassion for animals.You just have to do a little reading between the lines.If you're looking for a spiritual grounding for your vegetarianism, get this book.It's great! ... Read more

Product Description
”A New Look at Vegetarianism” contains various aspects of plant-based, or meatless, diets. It provides not only economical, cultural, biological and evolutionary viewpoints but also modern perspectives on health promotion and disease prevention.

The material is presented succinctly, with good use of tables, and is referenced appropriately. In Chapter-1, vegetarian diets are classified as lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, or vegan, respectively, if they include dairy products, eggs, both dairy products and eggs, or no animal products at all. Lacto-ovo- or lacto-vegetarians, diets can be followed without much concern about nutrition even in growing children, whereas children who are vegans may require special attention and may have slower growth even if they are in good health.

Vegetarians in general and vegans in particular should be concerned about nutrients in vegetarian diets. However, appropriately planned vegan or lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets can be nutritionally adequate. There is concern about the adequacy of vitamin B12 and D in vegans in general, but these needs can be met by food fortification.

In Chapter-4 health-promoting phytochemicals (beyond the traditional nutrients) provide information about the food and herbal sources that can be used against cancer, heart problems, and even to live-longer.Whether phytochemicals or otherwise, the book recommends that whole foods rather than juices and supplements be consumed for the best protection against disease or even irregularity.

The discussion of vegetarian diets in relation to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and disease-specific guidelines show overlap with vegetarian eating patterns. For heart disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer both of these recommend eating unrefined grains, fruits, and vegetables and the reduction of the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol (present in all animal products and not in plants).The current dietary guidelines suggest that diets rich in plant foods with small or minimal amounts of animal foods may be the remedy for modern life-style diseases.''Dietary guidelines for vegetarians could be developed with the aim of promoting the consumption of a variety and abundance of plant foods; primarily unrefined and minimally processed plant foods; optional dairy products, eggs, or both; and a generous amount of water and other fluids.

There are historical references to “vegetarianism” as a religious practice in the East and John Harvey Kellogg in the West, a 20th-century Seventh-Day Adventist, who was trained as a physician and operated a Seventh-Day Adventist Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. He developed meat substitutes and other vegetarian health foods, including the breakfast cereals that have immortalized the family name worldwide.

The book includes appendices: Quiz on myth and reality of vegetarianism, Nutritionally balanced vegetarian menus, and Vegetarian diet recipes.

The author of over dozen books, Dr. Dhillon’s unique qualifications include advanced degree in life sciences and molecular biology from Yale University in the West, and his earlier education and experience with vegetarianism as a part of culture, yoga, breathing and spirituality from the East. He uses his knowledge to the fullest and truly presents a synthesis of Eastern and Western approaches to diet and nutrition.The overall impression the book leaves is that vegetarian diets are safe, palatable, healthy, and nutritionally sound.
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Product Description
Vegetarianism seems to be increasing in popularity and acceptance in the United States and Canada, yet, quite surprisingly, the percentage of the population practicing vegetarian diets has not changed dramatically over the past 30 years. People typically view vegetarianism as a personal habit or food choice, even though organizations in North America have been promoting vegetarianism as a movement since the 1850s. This book examines the organizational aspects of vegetarianism and tries to explain why the predominant movement strategies have not successfully attracted more people to adopt a vegetarian identity.

Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment? is the first book to consider the movement on a broad scale from a social science perspective. While this book takes into account the unique history of North American vegetarianism and the various reasons why people adopt vegetarian diets, it focuses on how movement leaders' beliefs regarding the dynamics of social change contributes to the selection of particular strategies for attracting people to vegetarianism. In the context of this focus, this book highlights several controversies about vegetarianism that have emerged in nutrition and popular media over the past 30 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Everything I hoped for
This is the only good resource on Vegetarianism as a movement, with in depth information on ideologies,leaders' strategies, etc. Very helpful if you are doing research on the movement when used along with Maurer's dissertation.

A great book about Vegetarianism and Vegetarians
I loved this book, even though I am not a vegetarian. This is because Dr. Maurer's writing style is excellent; she knows how to convey what she's writing about without making it sound like a lecture. It reads like a real book, supplying many facts, insights and ideas that propel you from one page to the next. It's not preachy at all, she just tells you what vegetarianism is about, and what life is like for vegetarians (The answer to that would be pretty much no different from a meat-eater). There were a lot of interesting little tidbits in this book, like how many Seventh-Day Adventists are vegetarians, and how many Yoga practitioners are also vegetarians. I also liked reading about the efforts of individuals and groups to convince food vendors (Restaurants, school lunchrooms, etc.) to offer meatless choices as part of their menus. So, if you're at all interested in the subject matter, this would be the best place to start learning more. ... Read more

Product Description
Intended for students, general readers, vegetarians, and vegans, as well as those interested in animal welfare and liberation, this A-Z encyclopedia explores the historical and cultural significance of vegetarianism in the United States and beyond.

Americans consume nearly three quarters of a pound of meat per day, the highest consumption rate in the world. U.S. livestock industries are responsible for an estimated 55 percent of erosion and sediment, 37 percent of pesticide use, 50 percent of antibiotic use, and about 33 percent of nitrogen and phosphorus release into freshwater resources. Food for thought, indeed.

Vegetarianism in the United States did not start in the 1960s--it has a much longer, complex history going back to the early 1800s. Cultural Encyclopedia of Vegetarianism examines that history through the lens of culture, focusing on what vegetarianism has had to say to and about Americans.

This A-Z encyclopedia brings together the work of a number of scholars from diverse fields, including history, sociology, philosophy, religious studies, anthropology, nutrition, American studies, religious studies, women's and gender history, and the history of medicine. Approximately 100 essay entries cover cultural and historical aspects of vegetarianism, primarily but not exclusively in relation to the United States, shedding light on the practice's roots in ancient cultures and challenging popular myths and misconceptions related to both vegetarianism and veganism. With discussions on everything from activist movements to cookbooks, the encyclopedia offers a unique, wide-ranging exploration that will appeal to students, practitioners, and anyone else who wants to know more. ... Read more

Product Description
For vegetarians seeking the historical roots of vegetarianism, for animal rights activists and the environmentally concerned, and for those questioning their consumption of meat, here's a book that provides a deep understanding of vegetarianism as more than just a dietary decision.

This is the first comprehensive collection of primary source material on vegetarianism as a moral choice and includes the writings of Carol Adams, Bernard de Mandeville, Mohandas Gandhi, Oliver Goldsmith, Anna Kingsford, Frances Moore Lappe, Porphyry, Pythagoras, Tom Regan, Albert Schweitzer, Seneca, Peter Singer, Leo Tolstoy, and Richard Wagner, among others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

This is a keeper!
This is one of the best books I've read on vegetarianism. It's a wonderful collection that will give you a lot of insight as to why people are ethical vegetarians. I love this book and it is one that will remain on my shelf for many years to come. Great to also use as reference when needing some good info in a conversation!

A much needed resource
Any body who has read more than two or three books on veganism and vegetarianism runs across references to Pythagoras, Henry Salt, Francis Moore Lappe, Leo Tolstoy, etc. etc. as people who wrote important works on vegetarianism.But their books are hard to find.This book steps in and presents the central writings of these and many other people who have defended the notion that diet is a moral moatter.Very helpful, very well organized.

An organized variety of ethical reasons to stop eating meat
As the title implies, various philosophers through the ages have come to the conclusion that meat eating is neither necessary nor ethical. Here, in Ethical Vegetarianism, their most articulate arguments are organized sequentially for the common reader. A great book and a bargain nonetheless.

A Good Place To Start--
--on the road to vegetarianism.This book supplies centuries of moral wisdom by persons who refused to kill animals to satisfy their palates.I've given copies to several of my relatives.I'm not sure why the authors included their nonvegetarian appendix at the back of the book.Maybe in the interest of fairness; but the pro-vegetarian choices are top notch, especially the ones from the ancient world.

Interesting Overview
I'm not a vegetarian and I doubt I'll become one.But I found this collection interesting because I've always thought of vegetarians as nice but sorta flakey tree huggers.The essays here are written by people who offer strong arguments for their beliefs.(Usually, that is.The one by Harriet Schlieffer is over the top).But sorry folks.My appetite over-rules my head in this case. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS EVER WRITTEN
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY AND AREN'T HAMPERED BY YOUR PRECONCEPTIONS, THEN THIS BOOK WILL ENLIGHTEN YOU. IF ALL THE BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS WERE TO READ THIS BOOK, THEY MIGHT EVOLVE TO A HIGHER UNDERSTANDING AND LET GO OF THE BELLIGERENT IDEAS THEY HAVE ABOUT OTHER RELIGIONS AND MIGHT ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE STEPS TO REALLY FOLLOW THE MASTER WHOM THEY ESPOUSE.

Unconventional View of the Origins of Christianity
For anyone wanting to know the real history of early Christianity, this book is both an essential and a "fun" read. First published in 1986 with the title "The Vegetarianism of Jesus Christ," this second edition has much additional material and substantial revisions which have made the book more interesting, more provocative, and more persuasive.

Vaclavik (pronounced "vah-SLAH-vik") does not mince words or conclusions. The current so-called Christianity is at best a pale imitation of the real views of Jesus, and at worst an outright betrayal of its leader. Jesus was interested in promoting pacifism (nonviolence towards enemies), communalism (sharing of possessions), and vegetarianism (nonviolence towards animals). Vaclavik's book is important and valuable: I have read his book and profited from it. Moreover, I believe that in his important conclusions, he is absolutely right: pacifism, communalism, and vegetarianism were important parts of the message of Jesus.

Vaclavik identifies three strains in early Christianity: Judaic Christianity, Gnostic Christianity, and Catholic Christianity. The Judaic Christians derived from Jesus himself and believed in the original tenets of Jesus: vegetarianism, pacifism, and communalism. But the origins of Jesus' ideas go back even further -- back, in fact, to Pythagoras, who held many of the same ideas. Pythagoras was thus, amazingly enough, a prophet of Christianity. The ancient Hebrews included both the priestly faction which advocated and practiced animal sacrifice, and the prophets who condemned animal sacrifice.The Judaic Christians rejected the priestly faction. They were called Nazarenes, an offshoot of the Essenes, and aligned themselves with the prophets and the Judaic Pythagoreans.

Gnostic Christianity got its start with Paul. Paul preached a diluted message that did not include vegetarianism to Pagan gnostics, who were converted to become Christian gnostics. Catholic Christianity is even more derivative: it is an offshoot of Gnostic Christianity, and is thus "a heresy of a heresy." Catholic Christianity originated not with Paul, nor even with Peter, but with John "the beloved disciple" who was a Judaic priest who converted to follow Jesus as a young man.

Vaclavik's book does not stick to the tried and true formulas. He is really heading off into uncharted territory, and his book is full of new and unconventional interpretations of the data. To cite just a few examples: the Nazarenes were an offshoot of the Essenes; Paul is the origin of Christian gnosticism; John the Priest (the "beloved disciple" of the gospel of John) originated the priesthood -- and with it, Catholic Christianity -- late in the first century; Jesus was probably born much earlier than usually thought, and was crucified in the year 36 at the age of 59, and may have survived his crucifixion by 18 months and met Paul personally and physically on the road to Damascus.

I am not sure that I agree with all of these ideas, but on the central questions of importance to his book -- pacifism, communalism, and vegetarianism -- Vaclavik is right. In engaging Vaclavik's ideas -- and his data, which I'm willing to bet most scholars are unfamiliar with -- you will be challenged to examine both your own ideas about the historical Jesus, and your own decision whether or not to follow the personal example of this great religious leader.

The future of Christianity rests on our ability to shake up traditional Christianity (and secular society too), and shake it at the foundations. Vaclavik's book is an important contribution to these tasks. ... Read more

Product Description
A lively and comprehensive social history of vegetarianism from ancient times to the present. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Overcoming a long tradition by uncovering another tradition
My son asked if one could survive only on meat. Contrarily, I looked this book up to find out. Orthodoxy and conformity long allied with the herding & consumption of animals. To those in control, those refusing to eat flesh posed a social and moral threat. Not eating meat equalled rebellion against the state, the faith, and the norm.

Spencer starts with early hominids and ends with fast food. He roams necessarily widely, if focusing most modern attention to the British take on vegetarianism. Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and India all earn ancient testimony for a long-lived counter-cultural tradition. While Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures appear to have come down harder on what become known as "Pythagorean" practices, the Hindus seem to have had a more balanced approach. A "dharma-sutra" ca. 600 BCE counselled: "In eating flesh, in drinking intoxicating liquors and in carnal intercourse there is no sin, for such enjoyments are natural, but absention from them produces great reward." ((qtd. 76)

For the West, however, resistance to meat-eating smacked more of deprivation than moderation. Spencer defends deftly the reputation of Epicurus as more principled than "epicurean" today connotes. Gluttony came from satiation which left one more deprived than before, Epicurus reasoned. So, as with any addiction or longing, the cure stemmed from avoiding anger, irritation, and lust. Pleasure, thus controlled, did not lead to overindulgence but to self-restraint as "the absence of pain."

But such subtleties were lost on many pagan and Christian critics. Sacrifice harbored in its action food plus energy to equal meanings charged with much more than merely roasting a beast. As with Jews, Muslims, or Hindus in their dietary choices, it was impossible to keep secret one's preferences: "the lifestyle is an unspoken criticism." (97) For a radical, it became a mark of humanity and higher standards that often "makes meat-eaters uneasy and they often react aggressively."

The heretical associations of vegetarianism in the Bogomil, Gnostic, and Cathar movements outraged the Church. The renunciation of meat did come out of a more negative refusal by the dissenters to separate themselves from the profane, rather than a celebration of the natural realm as deserving of its own rights. "It is a doctrine that expresses fear of humanity more than a love of God. With such ideas, animals became too easily associated with the devil and his evil minions, hence the domestic cat came to be seen as the witch's familiar."(161)

For most people now as then, vegetarianism may have been involuntary, furthermore. Not out of religious objection or ethical solidarity, but because of poverty. Only when surpluses exist can a community afford a minority to find alternative foods. For a few faithful Christians, monks and saints, renunciation of meat was not identical with vegetarianism, perhaps oddly to us. Heretics were linked to vegetarianism, but clerics were not. "For a vegetarian philosophy to exist, it needs an ethical system of greater power and significance than the prevailing code in society." (181)

The glimmers of this began for the West with those who chose, for ideological reasons, to eschew meat. The Renaissance alerted Leonardo da Vinci and Giordano Bruno to the options argued by classical predecessors. Here, as in Bruno's proto-holistic system, or Leonardo's rarely cited vegetarianism, a sympathy for animals within the cosmos begins to emerge. Suffering elicits sympathy, and rather than a Christian solution, humanists begin to compete with the Church for an earth-based understanding of harmony and kinship.

As modernity dawns, Spencer concentrates on Britain. The Victorian denial of flesh and its promotion of unadulterated, but often unsalted or unspiced foods, formed the common English stereotype of sandals and nutloaf, bland pablum as fare for pale aesthetes and bearded cranks. This was a wise reaction to the horrors of slaughterhouses, true, but one that went so far in its po-faced rejection that its grim, ascetic influence lingers nearly two centuries later. Dogmatic puritans, the 19c and early 20c proponents of vegetarianism often carried with them a severe air.

George Bernard Shaw, Edward Carpenter, and Leo Tolstoy, famously, symbolized theintellectual contingent. George Orwell fulminated in 1930: "One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words 'Socialism' and 'Communism' draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, 'Nature Cure' quack, pacifist, and feminist in England." (qtd. 299)

Orwell objected to a vegetarian, for not being able "to relate to the working classes," in Spencer's interpretation-- as "a person out of touch with common humanity." Faced by such prejudice, our author wonders if Orwell's disgust is with the bourgeoisie associations; "If Orwell could have found a vegetarian coal miner he might well have written differently." (300) Orwell continues his own holy war against what Spencer labels a "secular heresy" for the Victorians. Immorality, sexual license, and fervent egalitarianism allied with it in popular opinion.

The book moves predictably if appropriately into an outcry against factory farming and ecological degradation. The examples are well-chosen, if again largely British. This is one shortcoming, perhaps, for readers expecting a global treatment; the book narrows as it nears the present into a study of British reactions to the vegetarian refusal. Spencer writes with verve and compassion, and has read widely. The book can be a bit repetitious, but he makes his claims and supports them well.

We face, he concludes, a dual challenge. Consumption of meat psychically for most of us still marks a celebration, an entry into affluence, a fine night out to cash in a bonus or impress a date. Yet, he reminds us that, despite the persistence of the off-beat vegetarian caricature, abstention from meat also runs through our history back to ancient times as a reminder of our higher nature, in league with Nature.

Today, the notions may persist of woolly-headed middle-class do-gooders, but Spencer, writing this in 1995 (reprinted 2002 as "Vegetarianism: A History"), also notes a sea-change in attitudes among those who came of age in the hippie era. Urbanization perhaps ironically or appropriately drove together the scattered rural-based resisters to the meat-eating rule, and the media and markets allowed people in cities to rally, shop together, and raise their own crops in gardens. The seeds of today's farmer's markets, locavores, and green cuisine might be planted a century ago in such alliances.

A brief review
1. Nearly ever major religion has had some sects that practiced vegetarianism in some form.If you want a lot of details about that, this book has them. Some of the coverage of early vegetarianism, particularly ancient Egyptian vegetarianism, seems excessively speculative.

2. The vegetarian food of 1700-1800s Britain sounds awfully bad and seems to consist almost solely of starches and sugary dishes.

3. The world, or at least the US and Britain, appears to have been having the same arguments about vegetarianism for about 250 years.

4. Post 1700, the book centers on Britain.

I would have preferred more culinary history (for example on the origins of seitan and tofu) and fewer statements of the author's opinions (such as that, for example, a certain writer argues well), but the book is a useful reference of famous vegetarians and vegetarian sympathizers over the last 2500 years. Also, the sections that briefly discuss animal trials and pre-industrial slaughter methods are fascinating.

A Feast for the Reader!
Well written and comprehensive book on the origins of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary habits.It is perfect for those vegetarians who want to understand the historical roots of the movement.Also recommended for anyone 'on the fence' about becoming a vegetarian or consuming less animal products.Here you will find concrete facts on the history, health benefits, and compassionate considerations of vegetarianism.You will be inspired by the stories of history's greatest minds choosing to abstain from meat for either health or humane reasons.Vegetarians can count Pythagoras, Leonardo da Vinci, Ben Franklin, Shelley, and Gandhi among their historical supporters.This book will motivate readers to consume more healthy non-animal foods and recognize the compassion behind vegetarian choices.
But, you don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this book.There is a wealth of information on how history, religion, and social development are related to food.

I agree, humans should have priority
"A reader" says that humans should have priority.I agree with that.That is why I'm vegetarian.By doing so, I make more food available to others, and decrease my chances of degenerate disease in the process.

I thought the book sometime spent too much time on some subjects, and too little on others.But still, overall, a good book.

Lots of people have tried to make an issue about Hitler's claimed vegetarianism.Of course whether he was or wasn't has no bearing on his actions.But since so many people make an issue of it, Spencer had to cover Hitler.What Spencer says about Hitler isn't the same as what I had heard from other sources.Most other sources I thought said Hitler enjoyed meat, but gave up most meat due to digestion problems.Spencer says that Hitler was vegetarian just to be different then everybody else.Which is true, I don't know, but I would assume that Spencer knows what he is talking about.

An excellent starting point
Colin Spencer does an excellent job of covering the last couple million years of vegetarianism.This book is not an easy read, especially in the sections about the diet of early man, and the analysis of some of the early Christian sects.You'll learn why mainstream society traditionally looks at vegetarians as "cranks"Puritanical, or just plain heretical. This is slowly beginning to change, but I think that in some areas of the world, (esp. where I live) vegetarians are still those weird outsiders who are thumbing their nose at the hallowed institution of eating meat.You'll also learn that early vegetarians weren't vegetarians for animal welfare reasons.For the Greeks like Plutarch or Pythagoras it was all about reincarnation (metempsychosis or transmigration of souls) For the early Christian sects eating meat was a symbol of man's Fall from grace.Some early Christian hermits also abstained from meat & alcohol because they thought consuming these didn't jive with the ascetic lifestyle; you had to deprive yourself of luxuries to become spiritually closer with your God.

My only quibble is that Spencer could've covered the last 100 years in more depth.The last 50 pages is surprisingly lacking in the same kind of detail that Spencer devoted to, (for instance) the Early Christian era.Maybe the last 100 years has been covered better in other books?I don't know, since this is the first book of its type that I've read.

OK, actually I have one other quibble.....In the last 20 pages, Spencer goes off on a rant about corporate farming, the effects of livestock farming on the environment, the dangers of eating meat (salmonella, heart disease, cancer). I thought this was a "history" of vegetarianism??? I mean, I agree with all the things he says about the above topics.I'm an ardent vegetarian myself, but I wish he had devoted more space to the last 100 years of vegetarianism, instead of the polemic.

Another thing to consider is tha Spencer goes go more in detail about vegetarianism in Europe and the UK.If you want a lengthier discussion on vegetarianism in the U.S try somewhere else.This is still an excellent book for a history of vegetarianism.I hope that other authors will take up this topic. ... Read more

Product Description
This book explores the health issues surrounding vegetarianism and helps the aspiring vegetarian make the transition in a way that provides the greatest benefits. Well-researched and easy-to-read, this is an excellent resource for both seasoned and would-be vegetarians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

For Current and Future Vegetarians
I am 58 years old and have been a vegetarian for 24 years.I read this book 24 years ago.It is still the best source for learning how to make the transition to a meat-free way of life.Dr. Ballentine wrote this scholarly work in layman terms so that it is easily understandable.He documents the plethora of reasons (ethical, social, health, environmental) why a person should become a vegetarian.The book is packed full of nutritional information so that one can be assured of the best way to combine various types of foods to be able to get ALL the nutrients necessary for excellent health without meat.Be sure to read the end-notes in the book because there is almost as much useful information there as there is in the main part of the text.If you peek at all the references you will notice that the author did extensive research in this field.I keep buying these 3 at a time to give to friends and colleagues who inquire why I became a vegetarian.Otherwise, I'd have to say, "Do you have several hours to hear my answers.Also, I continue to refer to it from time to time.This book is well worth its cost.

Valuable knowledge
Rudolph Ballentine is my personal guru I must say.I've bought all his books and treasure them all.This was the last unread one, and I was confident it would be all that I hoped it would be, and I wasn't dissappointed.He has such a thoughtful considered balanced writing style, making it easy to go for go to whoa with him.He adds a breadth and depth to the rationale for going vegetarian that noone else I've read has managed, and so makes this book a valuable addition for those considering going meat-free.Once you've read this book, the trip will be easier.Good health and thanks again Rudolph!

Transition to Vegetarianism
This is a very informative, well written book enveloping all aspects of nutrition and modern society. The only critisism I have is that it's written from an American point of view, not Australian. Their statistics are quite different to ours, although we are becoming more like them with our obesity problems and other health issues.
This book contains vital information for any person thinking of becoming a vegetarian.

The pros and cons of a vegetarian diet
In Transition To Vegetarianism: An Evolutionary Step, Doctor Rudolpf Ballentine presents an informed and persuasive survey of the value and reasoning to a vegetarian diet. Dr. Ballentine's informative text is laced with health relevant information such as meat-eaters having three times as many heart attacks as vegetarians, that a vegetarian diet decreases osteoporosis dramatically, that in endurance tests vegetarians had more than twice the stamina and strength of meat-eaters, and that the vegetarian diet is a time-honored technique for promoting alertness and clarity of consciousness. Ideal for the non-specialist general reader, Transition To Vegetarianism covers red meat, poultry, fish, and the question of milk and eggs in a vegetarian diet. If you are considering the pros and cons of a vegetarian diet for yourself, begin with reading Dr. Rudolf Ballentine's Transition To Vegetarianism.

Excellent info on vegetarian and part-vegetarian diets
Most people can't stop eating meat one day and put a red "X" on the plate instead. Unless you live in a culture like India, or eat lots of beans and rice, it takes a bit of adjustment to move to a plant-based diet.

When newly minted militant vegetarian friends reject the idea of starting out by simply eating less meat, this book is the place to turn for support. After twenty years of shepherding people toward a more vegetarian diet, I've seen definite trends that emerge when giving up meat: persistent cheese-eating, a plethora of omelet dishes,a sudden craving for peanut butter, etc. This guide gives sound practical explanations about why these cravings happen; it also gives suggestions for maintaining nutrition without going overboard on fat. Vegans will be unhappy with the assertion that a plant-based diet with some milk products is a typical solution for Americans, but realistically, how many of us are willing to do what it takes to maintain a strictly vegan diet the rest of our lives? And as additional research emerges on fatty acids (such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils) there seems to be an increasing number of reasons to consider fish as a practical substitute for supplements like hempseed or flaxseed oil.

Over the years, I've heard countless people wake up to nutrition and tell me they've discovered the "only healthy diet there is." Every one of those diets has been different! Rather than rushing out to try someone else's diet, I'd recommend looking at Dr. Ballentine's set of guidelines first. This is one of the only books on vegetarianism I know that doesn't tell you "here's the best diet." Instead, the author presents the pros and cons of various food options, and gives you a reasonable way to work towards a diet which suits both your body and your life situation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fun workbook!
Grab a copy of this if you can find it, because I think it is out of print. It is a companion book to The Inner Art of Vegetarianism. There are lots of good exercises in this book. Plenty of space to write and think. For those of you who like to analyze your dreams, the exercises on dreamwork are excellent and not filled with any new-agey mumbo-jumbo. It will inspire you to put your beliefs into action. ... Read more

Product Description
"Steven Rosen takes us on a fascinating journey back in time to explore the essential and often misunderstood roots of the world's major religious traditions, to discover how vegetarianism was a cherished part of their philosophy and practice."Nathaniel Altman, Author, Animal Liberation ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Glad the author took the time to write this....
I feel that important points are made by the author. The sources are not all mainstream accepted texts but it seems that he groups and qualifies the sources so the reader can add his/her own 'pinch of salt' where needed. It will be an important reference for me for some time to come.

I agree with premise, but some faulty research
Several years ago, I read the original version, when it was titled _Food for the Spirit_.I recently picked up this, the current version.There is a new transcript of a radio interview with the auther.Not much else seems different.Possibly some small revisions were made elsewhere in the book, but it is not a substantal revision.I had hoped that the author would have revised more of the material.

Basically, I agree with the premise, that modern treatment of animals cannot be justified by any system of morality. Unfortunatly, some of the author's research was faulty.He relies too much on extra-biblical works of very questionable validity.For Christianity, the author spends an inordinate amount of time discussing "The Gospel of the Holy Twelve" which has about zero evidence for its being genuine.To someone who is not already convinced to be in favor of vegetarianism would suspect that if the author needs to spend so much time on disreputable sources then he can't have a very good case.

Likewise, for Buddhism, much of the pro-vegetarian sutra is not considered to be genuine.

A better tact for the author to have taken might have been to address more how modern inventions such as the factory farm are far different than historical animal husbandry. For Christians, I'd recommend _Is God a Vegetarian?_ The author of that book concludes that Jesus was NOT vegetarian, but Jesus didn't live today either.

For Jews, I'd recommend, _Judaism and Vegetarianism_.Both of these are available here at amazon.com.

Don't get me wrong, there is some good stuff here. But it seems that in an effort to prove his point, the author did not always use due-diligence to verify all the information, and as such weakens his case substantially.

Splendid!
This book is a must read for the vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) jew, christian, muslim, buddhist, hindu or whatever faith you follow.

I could probably write an A4 page about it but I'll leave it for you to find out for yourself.

Go get it, now! ... Read more

Product Description
This is the vegetarian dialectic of diet and ethic: not coincidentally, but absolutely essentially, those foods that deprive the fewest lives of others contribute to the longest lives for ourselves. (from the preface)
Vegetarians are not a better sort of people, just a better sort of carnivore, writes Braunstein in Radical Vegetarianism, and carnivores are just a better sort of cannibal. In this updated edition of the 1981 classic, Braunstein courageously takes on the canned canards, sacred cows, and wooly thinking of carnivores and vegetarians alike, and proposes a vegetarianism that goes beyond the stereotypes of pot-lucks and Birkenstocks to one that embraces contradiction and candor, or, as Braunstein says (channeling the Ancients), Gnaw Thyself.

Contents:
Nutrition in the Light of Vegetarianism
Ashes to Ashes, Life to Life
Letter to a Young Vegetarian
Traveling Fast
The Milky Way
Animals and Infidels
Carnivoral Death and Karmic Debt
The Illogic of the Ecologic
The Problem of Being a Flesh Eater
An Apologetic Addendum ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Quest for the Vegetarian Lifestyle
For those for whom vegetarianism is a quest not easily achieved, this book offers great hope and new insight. Literary, humorous and easy to read, it is also surprisingly spiritual. The human condition and the suffering we endure is blamed upon the way in which we have treated our fellow creatures, as well as the stress and torture prior to their sacrifice. It does not address the plight of those who cannot afford non animal foods in our present corporate food distribution system but it does provide much food for thought on what should go into our bodies if we are to become the people we think we want to be.

The next level...
After you've read John Robbins' "Diet for a New America", and digested it (pun intended) for a few months/years, it's time to read "Radical Vegetarianism".Mr. Braunstein will take your thinkingand mentality about food, nutrition, and health to the next level. Sometimes caustic, often funny, and always intelligent andthought-provoking, this book is a great read and very inspiring. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Daily meditations are excellent
This is a fun little book that you can use even if you have not read the companion book "Inner Art of Vegetarianism." The daily, dated meditations are quick to read and the actions are easy to put into place. They are very gentle suggestions which will deepen your connections and your thinking. The suggestions are seasonal as well, corresponding with a yearly cycle. I recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description
An irreverent yet comprehensive book that teaches meat eaters both the fundamentals and the quirky idiosyncrasies of vegetarian life in a humorous way. The book has a resource section for those who want materials that have a more serious content. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fantastic guide to vegetarian lifestyle
It may be hard at first, but there is so much help out there now. It is one of the best decisions we ever made at our house. One of the best things about it is we can now eat as much as we want. It's really just a matter of changing your tastes to like veggies, grains and fruits instead of the high fat flesh products.

This book is pretty good and we gave it away as a gift. There is lots of information about how much it takes to feed animals to feed us. It's really amazing how wasteful eating meat is.

One of the reasons we changed was because we noticed that even cutting back on the standard american diet is still not good. You really have to change your diet (not a change just to lose weight and then go back, but a true change). Our local school serves french fries four days a week (I know, vegetarian, but it's not good). This told us how far society has come to try and fix things with a pill or shot and how much change had to start with me and my home.

Groovy as all get out!!
As an avid reader of "scads" of books related to vegetarianism/veganism - and as a vegetarian of nine years, vegan of one - I've got to say this is by far THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOOK I've read on this topic!I've gasped, winced and even cried reading non-fiction portraying the ghasly side of human behavior and how we treat animals, but I've never laughed out loud - until now!(My cats think these seemingly unprovoked outbursts indicate that I've finally gone insane.)Definitely not just for the flesh-eater, as the title may lead one to conclude, this book is jam-packed with facts and the author's insightful observations.Reinhardt, perhaps the only ethical attorney in existence, asks you to question your behaviors, consider the alternatives and make the kindest, most logical alterations in your lifestyle for your physical health, your conscience, the planet and of course, the animals.Don't pass this one up - buy it used, contact the author, track down an unsuspecting vegan in the tofu department and beg to borrow it!I love this book and am buying copies for all of my redneck, backwoods relatives who still can't pronounce "what it is exactly that I am."(Veee-gun, Aunt Edna.)This one is fun and informative - get a copy and enjoy!

Funny and enjoyable to read while full of truths
This is a fantastic book.After a difficult holiday with relatives I picked up this book and wished I had had it with me before the holiday had started. Since then I bought 8 more copies and have given them to friends and relatives alike.Information on the benefits of being vegetarian is presented in a non-emotional way with excellent facts to support the information.It covers issues ranging from nutrition to environment to factory farms. There are scenarios for dating, a whole chapter on dealing with relatives, and tips on how to be vegetarian during the holidays without going hungry.There's no meat-eater bashing in here.In fact, a lot of the writing is pretty funny.Its just a very straightforward presentation of information and armed with non-emotional information makes it so much easier to have a conversation with people who try to challenge your choices.I highly recommend this for anyone who is vegetarian/vegan as well as for anyone who loves/knows someone who has made such a choice and you want to understand why.Its absolutely one of the best books I've read and has helped me immensely. Plus there are some really funny parts.Enjoyable and quick to read

Sound advice.....read on
I found this book to be very helpful and fun to read but,I haven't picked it up again since my first read through.I think this would be a great gift to a new vegatarian or a lender to a person interested in learning more about the specifics.Informative and fun....just not a whole lot of new info for this long-time reader and veggie eater!

Entetaining as Well as Educational
This book is an outstanding review of the health, ecological, and moral reasons for refraining from eating animal products. Having said that, it is neither "preachy" nor sanctimonious but rather downrightentertaining. I loved it. It made a vegetarian out ofme. ... Read more

Product Description
Contents: We Want the Best; More Nutriment; Less Disease; More Natural to Man; Greater Strength; Less Animal Passion; Economy; The Degradation of the Slaughterman; Occult Reasons; Impure Vehicles; Man's Duty Toward Nature; Ghastly Unseen Results; The Better Time to Come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Best Book on BOTH Subjects!
Bishop Leadbeater points out why anybody working with the Occult cannot eat the flesh of other living beings.He makes it clear that the stain on one's soul for causing such suffering to others renders one unfit for occult studies.His is yet another argument for why causing the suffering of other living beings is wrong, not just for altruistic reasons but because of the harm that one does to oneself.I highly recommend this book for anybody who is working in the Occult.With the discipline necessary for mastering those studies, it should be easy to add a switch to a vegetarian diet to the list of requirements.If you don't have the discipline to become a vegetarian or vegan, then you don't belong in the world of the Occult.Leadbeater doesn't mince his words at all.Witches and Ceremonial Magicians, take heed.

A Revelation!
The connection between a vegetarian lifestyle and the occult teachings makes total sense after one reads this book and truly understands the morality behind occult practices.Excellent in its scope and breadth in its coverage of this ancient practice. ... Read more

Product Description
When most think of Tolstoy, they think of the great author.'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina' brought him worldwide fame, and a good deal of money. Had he done nothing else in life, these two novels would have ensured him status and respect. Few others had written both a national epic and a great love story; and some might have been content with that. For his last thirty years, however, Tolstoy walked a different track. After his spiritual crisis, when he was 50, he exchanged his author's clothes for those of a prophet - a prophet who was to have a great influence on Gandhi amongst others. Through his prolific writing, he now became the scourge of the rich, the Church and the Government. Neither did he miss an opportunity to denounce both science and art. Darwin? Dostoyevsky? Shakespeare? No one was to be left standing. In 'Conversations with Leo Tolstoy',The conversation is imagined, but not Tolstoy's answers. This is Tolstoy is his own words, drawn from his extensive books, essays and letters; and the military, vegetarianism, marriage, non-violence, death, God and sex are all on the agenda.'I want people to come away feeling they know Tolstoy,' says Simon Parke, who was keen to use only Tolstoy's authentic words. 'They will be become aware of his opinions certainly, for he was forthright in those. He had an opinion on everything! But I hope also that people leave with a sense of the man beneath the opinions. I don't always agree with him; but it is hard not to admire him. He was far from perfect, but as he says: just because he walks the road like a drunk, ... Read more

Product Description
You’ve certainly heard the expression many times, “You are what you eat.” Have you ever really thought about what it means? And do you think about it when you’re making food choices?

This digital book will persuade even some of the most committed carnivores that choosing a vegetarian lifestyle is not only important, it ESSENTIAL!

You will also learn:

- Why you MUST become a vegetarian
- How making the switch to vegetarianism = weight lose, disease prevention, more energy and increased vitality
- Which foods to eliminate
- Which foods to keep in your diet
- How to make the switch to vegetarianism
- How to add variety to vegetarian meals
- How to implement vegetarian diet choices for diabetics
- How to prepare a two-day diabetic vegetarian menu
- How togo vegetarian during pregnancy
- What to feed vegetarian babies and young children
- How to enjoy tasty vegetarian meals during the holidays
- Sample vegetarian recipes that include EFAs to promote healing
- ...and much much more.

Plus you will receive FREE BONUS access to:

- An Easy 7-Day Meal Plan and
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... Read more