Author: Kathy Freston
Website: http://www.kathyfreston.com/kathy_freston_intro_to_veganist.html
I found this book to be very interesting and chock full of information. The format was a little off-putting at first because the author chose to make each chapter focus on a "promise" about vegan eating. I didn't like the sound of the word "promise". It felt a tad bit pious and infomercial-y to me. The subject of health and nutrition is largely personal, even though the general populace's choices have a major environmental impact. But it's mostly a matter of poor word choice; it didn't take away from the wealth of information presented.
I really liked Freston's attitude toward her vegan lifestyle. She didn't present it as an all-or-nothing proposition -- hence the term "veganist" instead of vegan. It's a matter of, as she puts it, "leaning into" a vegan-ish lifestyle and making healthy, well-informed choices about what goes into your body and the effect those choices have on the world around us.
She gives some basic nutrition information and loads of medical and environmental data as well. Some of her book is autobiographical, but much of it is comprised of facts from various studies and research, as well as interviews with experts and personal anecdotes from people who have adopted a "veganist" attitude for myriad reasons. These testimonies are especially good because you might relate to one of these stories more than Freston's, or they might simply remind you of someone you know.
Disclaimer: Some of the information is disturbing and graphic, so this book, much like Skinny Bitch, isn't for the feint of heart. Like the latter, Freston also gives sample menus and product recommendations. All in all, I liked The Veganist fairly well--it presents lots of information in a more laid back and friendly manner than Skinny B. did. So it's a good alternative for similar (though not identical) information if you don't care for the in-your-face attitude of the Skinny B. gals. I, myself, expect to re-read both books in the future.
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