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mastercabs's review against another edition
3.0
The amount of research in this is pretty staggering. Some of the back and forths between research teams, non-profits, and academics versus the corporate GMO and beef people are pretty unbelievable. The memoirishness of this book gets annoying at times, and there's a section that appears to be about smoking that, while I agree with, doesn't really have any place in the book. I also found the messages of hope to be almost damaging to the book's message. Generally, the fact of the matter is that unless we have a complete overhaul of our food system, omnivore, vegetarian... well, basically everyone's screwed by the autotrophs, and they're probably not far off...
At any rate, it was a decent read.
At any rate, it was a decent read.
courtlane's review against another edition
4.0
Damn. I have very little words. Everyone should read this book and become aware of what is happening our world, it’s sickening. Everyone needs to do their part to save our plant and treat our animals how they should be treated. Again, just damn.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
3.0
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 exactly right and good, and I did a great job not thinking about it. I don't want to preach to anybody about what they're eating, but I just - reading how badly most people's diets effects everything around us is just shocking sometimes. And even though my main concern are the animals, I also would love it if my friends were to live to be 150 years and not be sick, and of course I would also love it if mankind were to stop using nature as a means to make as much profit as possible.
But to get back to the book - while I did like it, some of the structure took some getting used to. And while I understand what the author wanted to do by contrasting different opinions, sometimes that seemed a bit cheap (I think Jonathan Safran Foer did that better, although I am not sure why I feel that way.) And every time he used numbers to illustrate these opinions, it just seemed a bit.. unprofessional. I don't doubt the numbers, and I accept that there's a huge list of literature in the back, but it feels like he just picked the best numbers to illustrate his point. I think what I want to say is that it felt too subjective, even though I (rationally) know that a chart or other statistics can be just as manipulated. Either way, it didn't affect my judgment of the book as a whole too much.
I admit that sometimes Robbins seems a bit too nice in his approach, but then again, his way is probably more convincing for people. Sometimes it was bordering on being a bit too "esoteric" for my taste, but it never got bad enough to bug me. And I did like the notion of compassion that comes up again and again.
So overall, while I did have some nitpicks, this book does give a good overview what's problematic about the so-called standard Western diet.
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 exactly right and good, and I did a great job not thinking about it. I don't want to preach to anybody about what they're eating, but I just - reading how badly most people's diets effects everything around us is just shocking sometimes. And even though my main concern are the animals, I also would love it if my friends were to live to be 150 years and not be sick, and of course I would also love it if mankind were to stop using nature as a means to make as much profit as possible.
But to get back to the book - while I did like it, some of the structure took some getting used to. And while I understand what the author wanted to do by contrasting different opinions, sometimes that seemed a bit cheap (I think Jonathan Safran Foer did that better, although I am not sure why I feel that way.) And every time he used numbers to illustrate these opinions, it just seemed a bit.. unprofessional. I don't doubt the numbers, and I accept that there's a huge list of literature in the back, but it feels like he just picked the best numbers to illustrate his point. I think what I want to say is that it felt too subjective, even though I (rationally) know that a chart or other statistics can be just as manipulated. Either way, it didn't affect my judgment of the book as a whole too much.
I admit that sometimes Robbins seems a bit too nice in his approach, but then again, his way is probably more convincing for people. Sometimes it was bordering on being a bit too "esoteric" for my taste, but it never got bad enough to bug me. And I did like the notion of compassion that comes up again and again.
So overall, while I did have some nitpicks, this book does give a good overview what's problematic about the so-called standard Western diet.
lmcintosh08's review against another edition
3.0
The book is full of facts from reliable resources and even though I've read many books of this kind, some new facts made me pause and think "hmmmm" from time to time. My only concern with this book (and others like it) is regarding its contribution to our growing fear of food. Maybe Robbins could've thrown in a few more practical suggestions among all the scary facts. I mean, am I the only one who thinks we're one step away from being afraid to eat ANYTHING?!
jgauthier's review against another edition
2.0
Robbins comes off as a bit of a fanatic in The Food Revolution. He first states facts which are surprising and certainly worth serious discussion. I would've appreciated a briefer book that left off there. But Robbins also persistently pelts the reader with dramatic personal tales, apparently chosen to reinforce his own image as a trustworthy and unbiased source. They do the opposite for me.
I don't mean to suggest that his "facts" are not true. Some of these results seem pretty overwhelmingly clear support for the vegan/vegetarian case; others will require the careful reader to examine the actual associated scientific studies before making any conclusion. The author's aggressive style obscures the nuance of these facts.
Very much worth a skim to understand Robbins' viewpoint and some of the facts on his side. But keep it at a skim level, or you'll get sucked in by the many unnecessarily romantic anecdotes.
[In case you think I'm biased – I've been a happy vegetarian for about two years now.]
I don't mean to suggest that his "facts" are not true. Some of these results seem pretty overwhelmingly clear support for the vegan/vegetarian case; others will require the careful reader to examine the actual associated scientific studies before making any conclusion. The author's aggressive style obscures the nuance of these facts.
Very much worth a skim to understand Robbins' viewpoint and some of the facts on his side. But keep it at a skim level, or you'll get sucked in by the many unnecessarily romantic anecdotes.
[In case you think I'm biased – I've been a happy vegetarian for about two years now.]
alinaborger's review against another edition
4.0
With a caveat! I'm embarrassed that I liked it, since it's a bit more exclamation point than anything else. Still. I haven't eaten meat since.
garbo2garbo's review against another edition
5.0
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.
cezee's review against another edition
4.0
This book opened my eyes on the existing conventions on food production. It's a heavy topic that made me think twice about what I eat and help me to appreciate plant based foods. What we eat will not only affect our health but also our environment and our future.
infinitezest's review against another edition
5.0
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 realize that picking up locally-grown fruit or vegetable will have a much more positive impact on the world than picking up a cheesesteak.
I was most surprised by his information on genetically engineered foods and the way they are embraced by the U.S. government despite the health risks.
My favorite thing about the book is the "Is that so?" boxes. Robbins picks out statements from the meat industry and then juxtaposes them with statements from reputable sources to show the subtle deceptions and sometimes bald-faced lies the industry is telling us.
I was most surprised by his information on genetically engineered foods and the way they are embraced by the U.S. government despite the health risks.
My favorite thing about the book is the "Is that so?" boxes. Robbins picks out statements from the meat industry and then juxtaposes them with statements from reputable sources to show the subtle deceptions and sometimes bald-faced lies the industry is telling us.