Fears of Frankenfood, e-coli and "mad cow" meat abound. If, indeed, we are what we eat, what in the world are we becoming? John Robbins, who revolu...
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Aug 02, 2007
Rindy
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This book is amazing and insightful. It's interesting to just flip through and read the little excerpts. I read it cover to cover and it converted me from being a vegetarian to becoming a vegan. I think it's a wealth of knowledge for anyone but especially those interested in veganism or animal rights. There is so much going on behind the scenes that the average person is completely unaware of and ignorant of. It's important for everyone to be educated on these issues so they can make the ri
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Jul 09, 2007
Nate
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Another hit. I cannot wait to read Healthy at 100 and the China Study, also by John Robbins. Not many people give up swimming in an ice cream cone shaped pool, along with a life of luxury, for writing books that champion veganism. This book goes further to make the point and backs up the way of life even more than ever before. Hey, even if you eat a vegan/vegetarian meal once a week you'll make a difference. The question is: How far will you go?
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Dec 28, 2008
Alan
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Life Changing Perspective Flipper
I literally read this entire book in one sitting-- all three hundred and eighty pages, which for me was an all time record. It is an incredibly compelling and horrifying story which Robbins gives us, more compelling than most fictitious thrillers: a world threatened by global economic corporations, but, in this case, IT'S ALL REAL PEOPLE. However, Robbins also gives us a vision of hope and love, and in that, he reminds me a bit of Thic More...
I literally read this entire book in one sitting-- all three hundred and eighty pages, which for me was an all time record. It is an incredibly compelling and horrifying story which Robbins gives us, more compelling than most fictitious thrillers: a world threatened by global economic corporations, but, in this case, IT'S ALL REAL PEOPLE. However, Robbins also gives us a vision of hope and love, and in that, he reminds me a bit of Thic More...
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May 14, 2007
cheryl
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Wow - what didn't I learn from this book. It has changed my whole perspective and lifestyle. I could go into the details of how my life is different after reading this book, but its better if you pick it up and read it yourself. The thing that was most impressive to me was the 40 pages of footnotes in the back, providing scientific research that you can check out yourself. This book is no joke.
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Apr 14, 2008
Damien
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It's like a horror story, except that the zombies, vampires and maniacs with power tools are chasing YOU. And it's for real. It even has a happy ending, except for the very last scene when it may be that the monster could come back. (you don't read that in the book, but you feel it in the back of your mind)
Every one should read it, especially smug meat-eaters and complacent suburbanites- unless you suffer from depression, because this one could send you over the edge to suicide.
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Every one should read it, especially smug meat-eaters and complacent suburbanites- unless you suffer from depression, because this one could send you over the edge to suicide.
Va More...
May 05, 2010
Julie
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The Food Revolution is a remarkable book. John Robbins was heir to the Baskin-Robbins ice cream fortune, but turned it down to become a vegan activist. His earlier book Diet for a New America, published in the mid-80s, opened a lot of people's eyes to the horrible conditions animals live in on American "factory" farms. Now even many omnivorous people I've met will not eat veal, for example, and hopefully may come to see foie gras the same way.[return][return]When reading both of these
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Feb 25, 2011
Sophie
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At this point, I didn't learn too many things I didn't already know from this, but I'm still glad I read it. Robbins illustrates once again the effects our eating habits - in particular, consuming animal products - have on our health, the animals' welfare, our planet and world hunger. Hint: they aren't *good* effects.
If there is one thing I wish it's that more of my friends were to read a book like that. Less than a year ago, I had only a vague idea that what I was doing wasn't exactl More...
If there is one thing I wish it's that more of my friends were to read a book like that. Less than a year ago, I had only a vague idea that what I was doing wasn't exactl More...
Oct 27, 2009
Lee
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Over twenty years ago I read Diet for a New America and after a short flirtation with vegetarianism; I somehow managed to forget most of what I absorbed. Since having my own family, facing increasing, personal health issues and growing up a little, I have slowly been working up the courage to face the facts so clearly outlined in this book.
This is one of those books that you wish everyone would read. If the information about diet and health, modern food production, the torture o More...
This is one of those books that you wish everyone would read. If the information about diet and health, modern food production, the torture o More...
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Feb 14, 2011
Amanda
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John Robbins was heir to the Baskin Robbins chain but gave up the money and endless supply of ice cream to become a vegan advocate (and, it seems, something of a hippie). In this book, Robbins takes a critical look at the ways our diet effect our bodies, the lives of animals and the future of the planet. While the first portion of the book concentrates on the many health benefits of a plant-based diet, the rest of the book definitely helped me look at my food choices in a broader context and rea
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Mar 11, 2010
Amy
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This book, written by John Robbins - who was once the heir to the Baskin Robbins fortune - decided to turn down the family business in order to write the book Diet For A New America (which evolved into this book). He takes a very close look at the meat and dairy industries and is very brave to call it how he sees it. This book reads more like a text book, and less as an angry tell-all like his first book, but is still very informative and shocking at times. I became vegan for a short time after
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Nov 26, 2008
Mike
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Wow. This book is one of the very few books that literally changed my life. I've read plenty of books that have inspired me or brought about minor changes, but this book really inspired true change in my life. I became vegetarian by page 50, vegan by page 100 and haven't looked back since. I realized that I've spent my life eating whatever was around without any thought as to where it came from, how it was prepared, or what it would do to my body. This book has helped me to see the bigger pictur
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May 02, 2011
Laura
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This book is just one more on the path to those that are changing my life and how we as a family live our life and eat. There are so many great facts and comparisons in this book that make it easy and entertaining to read and yet be very informative. The author backs up many (probably most if I really keep track) of his assertions which is apparent in the almost 50 pages of notes cited in the back of the book. This last chapter does a phenomenal job of summing up the best parts of this book.
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Jan 04, 2011
Aubrey
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There are a handful of non-fiction books that I feel should be read by all. This is one of them, right behind "The China Study."
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Feb 09, 2010
Jen
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To say that I "read" this book totally would be a lie. I read about half of it and skimmed the other half. Not because it isn't good, but because most of the stuff in it isn't really that big a surprise. If you are even semi-educated about food and where it comes from, most of his "revolutionary" information won't be that revolutionary to you. Of course this book is almost ten years old, so I think if I had read this back when it first came out, it might have been a diffe
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Dec 17, 2009
Ethan
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changed my life. really. best health book of all time.
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Dec 29, 2010
Nikki
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Written by John Robbins (the son of the founder of Baskin Robbins). The information that Robbins presents is so compelling--and not just from a nutritional stand point. He presents his case from so many different perspectives that it's hard to find fault with his message. He may have some of his facts wrong...he may have exaggerated some of his claims, but the sheer breadth of the information is staggering. I wish every American would read this book. And he
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Apr 11, 2010
Julie
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An important book if you haven't read it and have never heard any of the information he presents. We all need to be aware of where our food come froms and the impact it has on the earth and our bodies. I admit to skimming a few chapters about how we eat is destroying the planet. I have read the info before and it makes me too sad to keep reading more and more about it. I appreciate how Robbins encourages people to live a more concerned and compassionate life. I found many of the stories he sha
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Dec 13, 2009
Sonja
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The book definitely confirmed my knowledge base about the meat and dairy industry, how it effects our health, our environment and the animals we share the planet with. The book is filled with research and sources and is not just another pop culture book about diet and health. Felt the author patted his back throughout the book, a little too much for my taste. We get it, he is helping people change the way they think about food, but let the reader praise you, not you yourself. That is why I g
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Sep 19, 2010
Kim
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I am not sure I can say enough GOOD about this book. It is a book that everyone should read no matter what they eat, if you eat, you should read it. It is enlightening in a sort of horrifying way, as one other previewer put it it reads like a horror story only worse because it is true.
Even though this book was written ten years ago, and I am sure some of the statistics are outdated, I learned a lot and feel compelled to learn more. It also made me rethink my seafood cosumption, tha More...
Even though this book was written ten years ago, and I am sure some of the statistics are outdated, I learned a lot and feel compelled to learn more. It also made me rethink my seafood cosumption, tha More...
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Mar 19, 2008
Lucinda
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Although I think this book is an important read for some reasons, I caution against any book with an author that is fanatical about one diet - vegetarianism. I am, in fact, a "recovering vegetarian"! :) He can scare you into not eating meat with all of his disgusting stories of the meat industry, which are true and which is why I am a strong proponent of only purchasing local meat from a farmer you know so you know how your food is raised. No animal should live in poor conditions,
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Aug 14, 2011
Nina
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Robbins is very good about citing refs. I've never paid attention to anyone when they talked about all of the lies associated with cow's milk, until now. That chapter alone has enough solid information to justify buying the book. It's entitled "Got B.S.?" Love it!
If animals and overthrowing coorporations aren't the meaning of your life, you'll probably find some chapters a bit too emotional to relate to. Yet, it does have a lot of good info that even the average person can pu More...
If animals and overthrowing coorporations aren't the meaning of your life, you'll probably find some chapters a bit too emotional to relate to. Yet, it does have a lot of good info that even the average person can pu More...
Mar 12, 2008
Hanna
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It's been a while since i read this book but i still use it as a reference when writing papers or arguing for the environmental, health and ethical reasons for going vegetarian/vegan. It was definitly my springboard into exploring veganism. If you're one of those people who immediately turns a deaf ear to vegans and vegitarians because they "whine about the ethical treatment of animals" then READ THIS BOOK. There is plenty to be said for the ethical treatment of animals, plenty, and th
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Dec 07, 2009
Sophiemadeofstars
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Truly inspiring. I've read many books on this subject, so naturally there is often an overlap of information, but John Robbins has this unique way of expressing himself which is truly enchanting. There is a particular passage at the end of the book which has influenced me greatly - that every one person who makes that change for the better DOES matter. That our compassion makes a big difference in the world, more than we many ever know.
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Apr 01, 2011
Ayana Mishelle
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This is a great book for social studies. We all eat students eat. This book talks abut how what we eat affect the planet. It is a safe way into issues fo food and food shortages and what food really is, it can also be integrated into literacy and using technology skills for research. One of my students said they had " chinese food " for dinner we did research on what do Chinese people eat and were surprised. great social studies book
Mar 12, 2011
Erika
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I really wish I could give this book 6 stars (or 10!) - it is SO eye-opening and very well founded and researched. Read this if you care about where our food comes from and how we are depleting our natural resources by over-production of some many things. (I know, I sound totally environmental right now!) Even if you don't care about these things, give this book a chance. You will be smarter and better off having read it.
Aug 12, 2011
Sheri
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Another good book full of things about how we can help our world and our bodies as far as moving towards better health in both areas. Well written and with much heart. I highly recommend it to you. But, as a Christian, I have to add that I don't buy into his theories of the earth being millions and millions of years old or the idea of global warming. That said, with a little common sense, read on.
Dec 11, 2010
Peregrine 12
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If you're interested in food and its effects on the planet, this is a great book to read. It is also moving, with a powerful message. I still eat meat, but this book helps me remember what our 'food' really is, and how it got to our plates (responsibility for our choices). Some parts of the book are hard to read, though, because of the descriptions of how animals are treated in American animal factories.
Feb 20, 2011
Diana
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It's not that I don't agree with the message of this book or that it didn't inspire me to eat less meat. I just got tired of the author's weak attempts at humility and barely veiled self-promotion. The structure of the book got old fast. Ultimately, I decided that life is too short to finish reading this book, so I stopped around page 120.
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Mar 09, 2011
Kristen
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A-MA-ZING! Delves right into the issues with the American Diet and food politics. Really enlightening [I read this after reading The China Study which tells you some of the same things only in a more "science-y" way.] It's an easy read. If you don't do at least 1 thing to change your diet after reading this book, then you didn't really READ it!
Dec 23, 2009
Charlie
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Simply put this book is about why you should adopt a vegetarian diet. It breaks the argument down into three categories; Compassion, Health, and Ecology. If at least one of these areas concerns you this book will make a convincing argument for dietary change. Lots of interesting facts and busting of popular myths.
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