Rating: 
Summary: Better Than Ever Give it a try
Review: It was some twenty years ago that I was given the first edition of this excellent book, and have since bought the updated version since my copies get lent out so much I needed to have one copy on hand. We are laco-ova vegetarians which means we have some free range hens which we have that weed the gardens and also provide us with eggs, and I buy raw milk from a friend and make yogurt. Although I am now learning how to do this with soy milk as well. Diet For A Small Planet is in tune with our lifestyle, which is based on live light on the earth but also eat healthy and happy. The one recipe in this book that we make so often and is a winner at potlucks and gatherings with friends is the Potato Egg Bake, which is better than any potato dish we have ever had. The Buttermilk, mushrooms and seasoning make it a winner with men who are often the pucky eaters. The other aspect of the book that I respect is the author explaining in a none preachy way how eating low on the food chain actually gets us closer to the nutriants the soil gives us. The book also explians why eating vegetarian is less expense in the long run, and that contrary to some beliefs such a lifestyle is very delicious and easier than running out for fast food. And having grown up in a hunting family and one involved with raising black angus I can tell you that raising l lb of all nutricious non-meat food is more cost effective to the earth than raising l lb of beef, chicken, lamb, pork etc. This is one of those books you need in your home library, as it will remain a great source of information for years to come. And how nice to have a book written in a style that doesn't slam meat eaters, but simply tries to educate and inform.
Rating:
Summary: Still The Benchmark
Review: Lappe's original book converted me to vegetarianism in college in the early seventies. This is a very convincing argument for responsible eating. Her book was the first to my knowledge that explicitly set out how what we eat in this country affects others abroad. The most frightening aspect of our meat-eating habits then, as now, was the deforestation of huge tracts of land to make more room for raising meat sources. Additionally, this book opened my eyes to the difference between subsistence living in 'third world' countries, as opposed to poverty in those same countries producing goods for Americans. This book is literate and convincing for those willing to open their minds to a different world view. It's 'in your face' without being 'down your throat'.
Rating:
Summary: Wonder where I've been that I missed this book till now!!??
Review: Oh gosh what can one say about a book that is so insightful and factually sound? I commend Ms. Lappe for pulling together all the data contained in this book. She does not preach nor try to change anyone's mind. The info contained in the book reminded me of that old line "just the facts please." I believe she focused on protein because it is "lack of protein if we don't eat meat" (not vitamins, minerals, iron, etc.) that scare people about giving up meat. Ms. Lappe includes charts and facts and figures -- all kinds of information -- to reassure the reader that plant eaters can in fact get adequate protein from veggies -- minus the artery-clogging fat. Certainly, one gets plenty of vitamins and other nutients from plant/grain foods. Perhaps we bring our personal baggage along when reading such a book. I believe it is wasteful to feed grain to animals when people worldwide are starving and I doubt the earth can continue to support such wastefulness. So I welcome books such as this. Each person should think over the issues then decide. If one decides to stop eating meat or to cut back on the amount eaten, this book is loaded with information to help with food combining in the plant/grain families to make sure one will get the necessary nutrients. The recipes are included to help us along, and I will be referring to them and this book often in the coming weeks (or months!) Ms. Lappe's philosophy gets 5 stars too. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Soap Box
Review: Thank God this book was inexpensive. This book focuses on how world economics of the food chain. I do not eat beef and am trying to become a complete vegetarian and I thought this book would would give me advise on how to do that. Instead it lectures. She says the same thing over and over and over again. Talks a lot about her other book that she co authored and about how lost she was until she found "her soap box". I give it a 2 because there is some good information in the book. I will save you the money, here is what I thought was beneficial. Cows eat (grain and water) more then they produce in meat. We eat more protein then the body needs. We can get a complete protein by eating rice, beans and vegetables. It reinforces my belief in not eating beef and becoming non dependant on animal products because of the hormones and antibotics the manufactures put into the products. If you are curious about this book I would recommend the library.
Rating:
Summary: Help I need the Dummies Guide to 'Diet For a Small Planet'!
Review: The idea of eating less meat has always appealed to me. I found this book in hopes of learning how to find other sources of protein. I just wanted a book to tell me some easy to read guidelines, all I found in this book was a lot of big words. You have to have a PHD in nutrition to read it. The more I read the more confused I got. This book is NOT for the casual reader.
Rating:
Summary: Decent recipes, poor understanding of economics
Review: The recipes are reasonable, but the real issue in vegetarian diets isn't protein - instead the problem comes from the reduced availability of iron and other minerals. The economics are simplistic; even if every American quit eating meat products tomorrow, the Third World countries are unlikely to quit growing cash crops and instead grow food for their populations. The sentiments are nice, and warm and fuzzy, and the author's heart, is in the right place.
Rating:
Summary: Small planet, big influence
Review: This is an amazing book. It has lasted longer on the shelves than many other books of its kind and packs an influential punch. The secret of "Diet for a Small Planet" is that it contains something for everyone, whether you believe in vegetarianism, the ecological production of the food supply or just want better health. If you are an animal activist or don't eat meat for religious reasons, Lappe provides valuable info on how to get the proper balance in your diet by matching foods to get all the essential amino acids you need (the building blocks of proteins.) If you are interested in health, you can use Lappe's book to provide alternative main dishes that are satisfying and lower in fat, higher in fiber. Meat is a major source of saturated fats, beans and rice and other grains provide lots of benefits such as soluable and insoluable fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you are ecologically minded, and this is the thrust of the book, you can eat comfortably, knowing your dietary items take up less resources to grow. I don't subscribe to all Lappe's philosophies, yet, this book had and continues to have a major influence on me. Rice and beans or grains and beans are regular items on our table, meatless days outnumber days when meat is on the table, and this is because I read Lappe's book long ago. I am sure I am better for knowing the information here.
Rating:
Summary: Small planet, big influence
Review: This is an amazing book. It has lasted longer on the shelves than many other books of its kind and packs an influential punch. The secret of "Diet for a Small Planet" is that it contains something for everyone, whether you believe in vegetarianism, the ecological production of the food supply or just want better health. If you are an animal activist or don't eat meat for religious reasons, Lappe provides valuable info on how to get the proper balance in your diet by matching foods to get all the essential amino acids you need (the building blocks of proteins.) If you are interested in health, you can use Lappe's book to provide alternative main dishes that are satisfying and lower in fat, higher in fiber. Meat is a major source of saturated fats, beans and rice and other grains provide lots of benefits such as soluable and insoluable fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you are ecologically minded, and this is the thrust of the book, you can eat comfortably, knowing your dietary items take up less resources to grow. I don't subscribe to all Lappe's philosophies, yet, this book had and continues to have a major influence on me. Rice and beans or grains and beans are regular items on our table, meatless days outnumber days when meat is on the table, and this is because I read Lappe's book long ago. I am sure I am better for knowing the information here.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY insightful
Review: This is one very informed lady. She has been studying food for decades, and has a mountain on interesting (scary really) facts (statistics, not opinions) to share. Granted, she promotes vegitarianism, but she does not try to force it down your throat. This book is not a over passionate rally-the-troops book, it is a point by point factual account of that state of the world food situation. If you are or want to be a vegitarian, definitely buy this book. Even if you are just an interested observer, still buy it. You will be amazed at the little known facts presented here.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Book; American Transcendental Science
Review: You must needs of course taken studies from inorganic, analytical,
organic, biochemistry, physical chemistry, physical biochemistry..
a following in strong Lyell record in vertebrate structure,
evolution and molecular biology.
Twenty some amino acids, by mixing beans nuts and rice, more cher
than steak... I lived on it as a bicyclist from Ohio in
a Maine winter surveilling the aurora borealis for my sinecure
in Evendale.. a quiet winter.
Eight essential amino acids...
Some out of some essential lipids, Asimov-Sherman.
I feel fab... I've just finished Anfinsen's nobel speech.
Pauling is waiting, other nationals.
Too many nobel pdfs on the iMac for now.
I am content at Chuuk Lagoon targetting immunosuppresive
memetic foraging as per records.
All public records. Google radiosonde orgone.. slipping
Manufactured news for unjust enrichment is a SQUID bank
vault innervating collusions of persons for profit,
by inductive recursion profits, large sums of feeding
on homosexual psychotronic leads, PAX, *n San Antonio.
Los Alamos buoy, WKRC Clear Channel, away.
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