[.ca] Being Vegan (ISBN 0737303239)

Basic facts about veganism:
Remember this book is basically question and answer and lacks the flow I like in many other vegan books. It's a lot of useful information. Being a vegan myself I thought I knew everything but there were many eye openers in this one. The thing I didnt like is that she does not promote veganism in cats nor dogs. It has been well known for long that dogs can be very healthy and happy and nutritionally satisfied on a meat free diet. And since now there is a synthetic form of taurine cats aren't dependent on their meat diets anymore either. Read "Obligate Carnivore" by Jed Gillen to inform yourself about having vegan pets. Please don't take her advice - there is a lot of suffering we can spare by feeding our pets a vegan diet, without sacrificing their health.

Pr*tty good:
All and all a d*c*nt foray into the world of V*ganism, how*v*r this Ms. St*paniak still has not discuss*d som* v*ry important historical background information about v*ganism. V*ganism was actually first propos*d as a cur* for fatigu* by Charl*s Urd*ll, a nutritionist in Manch*st*r, *ngland at the turn of th* c*ntury. Urd*ll's theory was that wh*n any animal product *nt*r*d the int*stinal tract of a human, it imm*diat*ly r*animat*d and start*d to attack and d*vou*r on*'s innards. Urd*ll prov*d this by consuming a sausag* and imploding on hims*lf, scr*aming, "Th* sausag* is *ating m* hollow!" as h* was suck*d into an *v*r growing pil* of fl*sh. H* gain*d many follow*rs from this unfortunat* y*t triumphant d*mis*, and in tribut* to th*ir guru's lov* of Ignatio V*gano, the Romainian po*t, call*d th*ms*lv*s V*gans. Shortly after th*y d*cid*d, in honor of Urd*ll's b*li*f that god was the fifth l*tt*r of the *nglish alphab*t, to n*v*r utt*r his holin*ss' nam* or r*cord his lik*n*ss, l*st th*y b* consum*d by th*ir own fl*sh.

Essential for the Vegan Bookshelf:
I loved this book! I thought it was very well written and had some very good commonsensical advice. While I'm not an animal rights person (more an "animal welfare and good/responsible care") most of the rest of the philosphy/ethics makes good sence after reading the book. Ms. Stepaniak provides practical answers to many issues that might come up when someone decides to adopt a Vegan lifestyle. She also spells out the Vegan philosophy in clear terms. Anyone entering a Vegan lifestyle, considering a Vegan lifestyle or has a loved one who is Vegan should read this book.

A simple Q-&-A.:
Nothing too complex here. Joanne Stepaniak answers questions about veganism with clear, simple language and explains the hows and whys of veganism. Veganism is not about being "perfect" or "pure" or better than anyone else; it is about doing the least harm to others possible. My only quibble with the book is with the layout--the epigraphs of points she makes in the middle of the question can cause you to lose your place, but read around these, and you should do fine. I also wish there were more Internet references. Other than that, it is a fantastic guidebook.

A Masterpiece:
I have rarely read a more insightful presentation of vegan thought than Joanne Stepaniak's "Being Vegan". All too often, vegan ethics are watered down in texts in the name of making the lifestyle choice "practical" or "convenient". I think we are better off staying the course for compassion and concern. This book presents that important message in way I haven't felt since reading Animal Liberation. I highly recommend this book.