“Throughout American history there has been an epicurian clash between ethical convictions, nutritional fads, and positive advances, on the one hand, and the growing industrialization of food production, removing consumers even further from the land, on the other. To many persons, vegetarianism showed a way to rebel against the desensitization of nature and feelings…” so writes Janet Barkas on p. 134 of her insightful history. Ms. Barkas in her classic scholarship about food production reveals that grains are a much more effective way to nourish people than animal products, period! And yes, this includes protein nourishment.
This book is a blast from the past, yes, and it’s also as timely and timeless today as the day it’s written. The book is as incisive as it gets, as it carves through arguments made both for and against vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. Ms. Barkas asks us all some serious questions about nutrition, and the author is as pragmatic as it gets in serving out good advice about getting all good nourishment from food. Then, when the reader is least expecting it, Ms. Barkas will throw out a surprising twist: for example, did you know that life-long vegetarian Benjamin Franklin claimed eternity is not possible on a diet of animal meat? Thus, Mr. Franklin recognized we should get our carnal delights from the plant-based food market. Click here to see how Mr. Franklin also considered agriculture to be the way to find true wealth.
Yet, the words from Ms. Barkas are left profoundly hanging in the air: what if an animal food product is not based upon a dispassionate, industrial system of butchery! But rather local, family-based farms and bow and arrow hunting. At least, this is how I read and reaped my own storyline from Mr. Barkas’ book.
Are you an up-and-coming vegetarian? Vegan? Or are you curious about agriculture and food production. Perhaps you, just like many who have gone before you, and many who will continue with you into the eternal–perhaps you simply like to eat as a growing stag and want to get the best bang-for-the-buck in each and every decadent, delightful, and divine morsel. Just as the birds know the food must fit the bill. This is an intelligent, cogent, fact-filled book about people who are passionate about vegetables. Just as there is a passion of the christening so too is there a hopeful ecstatic love for the mana of heaven.
The price of this softback book is $25. Free Shipping. Portland Plant Paradise sends out all physical media via USPS “book rate” mailing. This book is in new condition, published in 1975 by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York City.
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