I'm a very eclectic reader. I like to read well-written works by
folks with very different views from me and enjoy noting the common
ground among us all. In this list you'll find strident vegan works as
well as a foodie book by an extremely omnivorous person tired of all
the "low fat, low salt, low flavor" stuff. There are very liberal
works (such as Jonathon Kozol's works) and a strange book by a very
liberal feminist lesbian journalist who found common ground on sexual
terms with a right-wing Christian men's group. Although they're not
listed yet, I've also enjoyed novels by staunch capitalist and
virulent anti-communist Ayn Rand. You'll find irreverent Zen books
here as well as some by mainstream, but liberal, 1950's preacher
A. Powell Davies. The book Moving Violations is an extremely
well-written work by a paraplegic who tells you what it's really like
living disabled in our world, the world over (he worked as a
journalist in the middle east) and how he views the world's reaction to
him -- don't expect consistency, expect honesty.
A non-low-fat and non-vegetarian Russian cookbook.
I have had a number spectactular successes adapting recipes
in this book to low fat vegetarian ones. You have to be
inventive, but the strong spicing ideas and combinations
can inspire the creative cook.
This book is an interesting mish-mash of ideas. Not
particularly vegetarian in focus, but promotes highly
fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains. Also discusses
possible problems with low-fiber foods such as breads and
pasta. I find this a very motivating book, one that got me to
change my diet to focus on nutrionally dense foods.
While I think Arnot vastly overstates the case for dietary
factors in the prevention of Breast Cancer, I also found this
book helped motivate me to eat more nutrient dense foods
rather than junk.
Non-vegetarian cookbook focusing on high nutrition foods. A
large number of vegetarian recipes. Riccio is also the author
of the now out-of-print book Superfoods for Women.
An ex-cattleman's description of the cattle and dairy
industries. After Lyman appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show, a
group of Texas cattleman filed a lawsuit against him and Oprah
Winfrey. Although you may not agree with everything he says,
support the right of free speech and hear what he has to say.
Excellent, up to date, discussion of the many reasons for
becoming vegan. Covers health, ethics, and ecology. Also
covers how to eat a healthy diet as a vegan. Probably the
best vegan book of its kind.
Graphic, sensationalist book about the meat industry.
Photos. Do not read while eating. Although much of this book
is anecdotal and not representative, it is important to know
some of the worst that goes on just to put steak on the table. Even
if one does not want to give up meat, we don't have to be
excessively inhumane to get it, there are other ways.
Autobiography of NPR journalist and paraplegic. He lost the
use of his legs as a teenager. Here's a chance to get a first
hand view of how the disabled person is treated by the rest of
society and what it's like to get around in a wheelchair.
A collection of short sermon excerpts by A. Powell Davies,
late pastor of the All Souls Unitarian church in Washington
DC. Although written in the 50s, these liberal christian
writings seem very contemporary. Inspiring.