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3rd out of 142 books
—
214 voters
Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World
by
Bob Torres (Goodreads Author),
Jenna Torres
Curious about veganism? Want to be a vegan? Already a vegan? Just wondering how to be vegan without going insane? In this informative and practical guide on veganism, team Torres helps you love your inner vegan freak. Loaded with tips, advice, stories, and comprehensive lists of resources that no vegan should live without, this book is key to helping you thrive as a happy,...more
Paperback, 180 pages
Published
August 1st 2005
by AK Press
(first published July 1st 2005)
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I am Vegan for health reasons first, animal cruelty secondly. But I wanted some advice on how to approach my family/friends about why I did this, and what it means, etc. So I picked up the book. I found alot of the advice helpful but the 'preachiness/ holier than thou' attitude of the first half of the book got old quick.
I would have preferred the book to have stuck more to the facts, and not loaded every sentence with a couple of facts and alot of opinion. With fire and brimstone on how evil w...more
I would have preferred the book to have stuck more to the facts, and not loaded every sentence with a couple of facts and alot of opinion. With fire and brimstone on how evil w...more
May 14, 2007
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all vegans, especially new vegans, those genuinely interested in veganism, & anyone who knows vegans
I loved this book. (I am a vegan, mostly for animal suffering reasons, as are the authors.) In my opinion, this is the best support book for vegans out there (also see Living Among Meat Eaters by Carol Adams). I do have to admit, I felt angry at times during the reading of this book. In my opinion, it kind of encourages outrage. So, for those already unfriendly toward vegans or veganism in general, or those just mildly curious but largely ignorant about the lifestyle or the message promoted in t...more
The best advice book for people who want to go and stay vegan about dealing with all the non-vegan bullshit they will inevitably encounter from other people. The most helpful piece of advice is these three words: MEEK VEGANS SUFFER!
This book will teach you to be a strong vegan and not compromise your animal rights ethics just to fit in to the dominator culture, which is full of people who are always looking for an excuse to justify animal exploitation. I'd recommend borrowing this book from some...more
This book will teach you to be a strong vegan and not compromise your animal rights ethics just to fit in to the dominator culture, which is full of people who are always looking for an excuse to justify animal exploitation. I'd recommend borrowing this book from some...more
I also really did not care for this book. The section on making your cats vegan just blew me away. As a vegan AND a student of veterinary medicine, I can tell you that cats are true carnivores that quickly become quite sickly when fed a vegan diet. If you don't want to feed your pets meat, get a naturally veggie pet; but don't risk your pets' health, and don't read this crappy book.
7 likes · like · see review
I fucking loved this book. period.
6 likes · like · see review
I was honestly not expecting much from this book, but it turned out to be an incredible resource, even though I assumed I already knew a lot about veganism (being a vegan for several months and having a seasoned vegan boyfriend).
This book goes over a lot of really practical issues that vegans deal with quite regularly. The tireless prodding from friends, family and co-workers about "what do you EAT?" and how to deal with them tactfully. It gives some great suggestions and recommendations on eat...more
This book goes over a lot of really practical issues that vegans deal with quite regularly. The tireless prodding from friends, family and co-workers about "what do you EAT?" and how to deal with them tactfully. It gives some great suggestions and recommendations on eat...more
I have a love-hate relationship with this book :) but it is actually my biggest reason to be an ethical vegan (freak, as the title).
This book is quite controversial for everybody (new vegan, old vegan, vegetarian, or even non-vegan) because the authors are very harsh and direct with their theory of defining a "real" vegan. In each chapter, the authors define (and keep remembering the reader) that vegan means ethical vegan with no exception. Ethical vegan means that the purpose of implementing ve...more
This book is quite controversial for everybody (new vegan, old vegan, vegetarian, or even non-vegan) because the authors are very harsh and direct with their theory of defining a "real" vegan. In each chapter, the authors define (and keep remembering the reader) that vegan means ethical vegan with no exception. Ethical vegan means that the purpose of implementing ve...more
This book is not really for those curious about veganism or the philosophy behind it. Although it gives a rundown of animal rights and why they're important, it's not as in-depth a resource you would want for someone who's undecided. It is however a good resource for those who are already on the same page ethically speaking and who are strongly considering it or are already vegan. The strongest point of the book is the chapter that gives advice about how to deal with hostility towards veganism a...more
I read this as someone considering going vegan. I was supposed to be the target audience for this book, and for the latter half, at least, the authors seemed to be thinking about readership like me. The first half of the book, however, was one big circle-jerk for people already vegan. Every page breathed the "those poor vegetarians. They think they're actually doing something! We better show them how damn enlightened we are" attitude. The tone for this book is everything people hate about vegans...more
I really appreciated this book and it brought for me exactly what it promised. It acts as a companion, a vegan best friend, to help galvanise your resolve if you're trying to get onto the vegan wagon and has lots of useful tips for dealing with eating out, managing your relationships, and all those other annoying things besides just changing your diet- which it does help with too.
Some criticism has been levelled at the authors because they are so clear cut when it comes to ethical issues (such a...more
Some criticism has been levelled at the authors because they are so clear cut when it comes to ethical issues (such a...more
As someone who is trying to transition to a vegan lifestyle, I found the advice in this book to be somewhat condescending. It totally trashed lacto-ovo vegetarians as well as vegans who "cheat" every once in a while. I think the draconian message of this book is likely to discourage people who are on the verge of becoming vegan, rather than encourage them to take the steps necessary to complete their transition.
I would have appreciated advice on how to avoid temptation at restaurants and around...more
I would have appreciated advice on how to avoid temptation at restaurants and around...more
First of all, I want to say that I am a selective omnivore which mean I eat - white or red - meat moderately, in sane way, and conscious. But prefer to stick healthy lifestyle with eats more vegetables as long as I can including eat meat or eggs or even fish if there is nothing else.
Lots of people are considering me as vegan especially when I am reading this awesome book. But reality say something else ... being a vegan is a hard work, lots of sacrifice, changing your paradigm and lifestlye. The...more
Lots of people are considering me as vegan especially when I am reading this awesome book. But reality say something else ... being a vegan is a hard work, lots of sacrifice, changing your paradigm and lifestlye. The...more
Aug 05, 2010
Marlana
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mostly people who are already vegan or have been for a short time
Shelves:
read-in-2010
I didn't find this book as abrasive as some other reviewers did. The authors do take a very no-nonsense in your face approach to their veganism, the book is about becoming and living uncompromisingly as a vegan and that is stressed through the whole book. They are a little harsh on vegetarians but I expected that from reading other reviews and it didn't put me off at all.
This book is just an overview of what veganism is and what it means to be an ethical vegan. It is not as in depth as a new ve...more
This book is just an overview of what veganism is and what it means to be an ethical vegan. It is not as in depth as a new ve...more
An alternate subtitle could be "How to Survive and Appropriately Behave Amongst Meat-Eaters." Basically, it's a book by a cool, tattooed college professor couple for other hipsters that don't eat meat or meat byproducts. A librarian and fellow vegetarian friend of mind loaned me the book, and I recommend it. I disagree with the occassionally snotty attitude that the authors display. I think that they may fail to understand that many people in inner-city neighborhoods, e.g. my community, have a h...more
3 likes · like · see review
Some of the information is good, but I didn't particularly enjoy the snobbish, holier-than-thou attitudes of the authors. I think this book would turn omnivores and even vegetarians off to the idea of veganism based on the authors' communication style. The book is just not all that well-written.
It's a book about veganism. It's a book about how to deal with certain circumstances that could cross your path while being a vegan. It's a book about educating vegans more than what is at face value. It's target audience is vegans/vegetarians.
I wouldn't personally recommend this book to someone who is a omnivore and is curious about what happens in slaughterhouses and the torture the animals go through just to get on our dinner table. If so: I would recommend "WHY WE LOVE DOGS EAT PIGS AND WEAR...more
I wouldn't personally recommend this book to someone who is a omnivore and is curious about what happens in slaughterhouses and the torture the animals go through just to get on our dinner table. If so: I would recommend "WHY WE LOVE DOGS EAT PIGS AND WEAR...more
Poorly argued--ranting but no logic. And with a great deal of inexplicable animosity towards vegetarians. This books seemed written by and for a small coterie of vegans that are less interested in making the world a better place and more interested in maintaining the purity of what they think the word "vegan" should mean.
If you're interested in the health benefits of a plant-based diet, read The China Study. If you're interested in a an overview of health, environmental and ethical reasons--wri...more
If you're interested in the health benefits of a plant-based diet, read The China Study. If you're interested in a an overview of health, environmental and ethical reasons--wri...more
4 likes · like · see review
Very disappointing. Spent several pages telling you what you'd find in the book, but didn't deliver. I also don't like the smug, "vegan police" tone. I found the same thing with their podcast. There are much better books out there. The Vegan Girl's Guide to Life: Cruelty-Free Crafts, Recipes, Beauty Secrets and More is a good Living Vegan For Dummies is another nice one. The best resource I've found isn't a book, but a podcast: Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.
As a vegan of 2 years I thought that this book was very interesting. It was funny and made some good suggestions on how to deal with non-vegans judging you. I also like the books they suggested and plan on reading a few of them as well. The only thing that I didn't like about the book was that it made you feel like it you weren't rich enough to do all the things they stated you were a bad vegan. Like if you were still wearing your old leather boots, rather then immediately going out and buying n...more
Blunt and to the point in their characteristic no-shit style Bob and Jenna Torres break down veganism into all it's moving parts. Perfect vegan primer for someone who can handle a little fire in their morality. The authors cover everything from why cheese is addictive to which brands of latex condom are vegan. (Note: non-latex condoms are ALL vegan, hypoallergenic and HELL OF easier to find not to mention cheaper.) Bob and Jenna are not hippies, they are not anachronists. They live in the same w...more
This is an excellent book for referring you to other more informative books. This book is your snotty punk rock cheerleader that is begging you to take a hard line on your veganism. "WHY ARENT YOU VEGAN ALREADY!!?", over and over. OK, Cool. A easy read that gives you coping techniques for your nasty evil meat animal consuming friends, family, coworkers. "YOUR FRIENDS MIGHT TRY TO SNEAK MEAT IN YOUR FOOD!?!?". OK, cool, probably not people you want to hang out with to begin with. Not much deep in...more
Many useful pieces of advice for people who want to go vegan, but face all kinds of difficulties in their environments - social, financial, convenience, knowledge, availability, etc. The only thing I found disturbing was the occasional bashing of vegetarians. Of course, vegan is the ultimate act of kindness and peace towards animals, and the only way to really minimize our food footprint. But haven't most of us started off as carnivores, and with growing amounts of consciousness first become veg...more
This book seems mainly to be aimed at vegetarians that are considering going vegan, so any established vegans are going to find it a bit preaching-to-the-converted. As I've been vegan for a few months, I did feel it helped affirm the decision I'd made (not that I particularly needed the affirmation). There is some useful, kind of common-sense, advice about dealing with non-vegans who are either curious or hostile towards the vegan lifestyle. The authors employ a very relaxed tone which, after a...more
I'm not a vegan, and i'm not trying to become a vegan, but i thought this would be an interesting book to read, to learn their viewpoint. i did learn some new facts and some insights. i also found it a little judgey, especially the part where they're saying you have to become vegan for the right reasons, and can never cheat. it seems to me as long as you're doing your best, it's better than nothing! the funny thing is, they say they're against judgey vegans. lol. Anyway, overall, this was a fast...more
I wish I could say I liked this book, but I just didn't. Perhaps because according to their standards I'm not an 'ethical' vegan, I'm an 'enviro' vegan. I also live in Paris... I know this city like my back pocket, and still find eating out difficult. I can tell you, you will most likely succumb to Peter Singer's "Paris exception" knowingly or unknowingly. Here, there is mayo, cheese, milk and butter in strange places, lentilles are usually boiled in beef stock, etc. As far as "accommodating res...more
Vegan Freak
Ja, wie der Name schon sagt geht es im Buch über Veganer die in einer –Nicht-Veganen-Welt- (also in unserer) leben. Ich weiß aus eigener Erfahrung, dass man oft angeguckt wird als komme man von einem anderen Stern, wenn man sagt, dass man Veganer ist und darum keinen Käse essen möchte. Ja, der Ausdruck „Freak“ beschreibt schon ganz gut, mit welchem Blick man als Veganer von der Mehrheit der Menschen bedacht wird. Darum finde ich den Titel auch ziemlich passend und auch der Ausdruck no...more
Ja, wie der Name schon sagt geht es im Buch über Veganer die in einer –Nicht-Veganen-Welt- (also in unserer) leben. Ich weiß aus eigener Erfahrung, dass man oft angeguckt wird als komme man von einem anderen Stern, wenn man sagt, dass man Veganer ist und darum keinen Käse essen möchte. Ja, der Ausdruck „Freak“ beschreibt schon ganz gut, mit welchem Blick man als Veganer von der Mehrheit der Menschen bedacht wird. Darum finde ich den Titel auch ziemlich passend und auch der Ausdruck no...more
The authors’ tone will likely to be polarizing to readers. Those who like their commentary spiced with snarky asides will enjoy it. Those who prefer a kinder, gentler approach will likely be frowning.
However, you have to respect folks who have the guts to say that some vegans do much more harm to the animal rights movement than good. These people range from fake vegans who only eat animal foods “sometimes,” to those who feel that the best way to convince others to care is by screaming at them....more
However, you have to respect folks who have the guts to say that some vegans do much more harm to the animal rights movement than good. These people range from fake vegans who only eat animal foods “sometimes,” to those who feel that the best way to convince others to care is by screaming at them....more
This book's premise is a "Veganism 101." I couldn't finish it. There was ridiculous amounts of language and its (what I would call extreme) viewpoints were crazy. Basically, if you consume ANY animal product you go against a vegan moral code and should be treated like a second-rate citizen. I mean, even honey! But, I guess there's a lot of PETA followers out there that ascribe to this philosophy. Since my approach to veganism is health & wellness related this was not a book for me.
+ Tons of information, presented in a way that isn't overwhelming
+ Enjoyed the irreverent, smartass tone
- In a section called 'fuck the body politics' (sounds awesome, right?) the authors attack the beauty standard, but get pretty close to thin-bashing. Body acceptance goes for *all* body types, guys! /soapbox
- Pretty bummed that while the book hasn't even been out for a year (second edition: published January 1, 2010) the related podcast and web site mentioned in the book haven't been active si...more
+ Enjoyed the irreverent, smartass tone
- In a section called 'fuck the body politics' (sounds awesome, right?) the authors attack the beauty standard, but get pretty close to thin-bashing. Body acceptance goes for *all* body types, guys! /soapbox
- Pretty bummed that while the book hasn't even been out for a year (second edition: published January 1, 2010) the related podcast and web site mentioned in the book haven't been active si...more
Its a book for people who are considering going Vegan or already have been for years, helping you deal with sticky social situations like family, friends, and co-workers. It also covers basic things you want to avoid in shopping. If your considering going Vegan I wouldn't recommend this book. I would recommend something less harsh like Diet for a New America, by John Robbins or Becoming Vegan, by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina.
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May 10, 2013 06:47am
May 10, 2013 07:06am