Ethical Vegetarianism: From Pythagoras to Peter Singer

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Summary: A much needed resource
Review: Any body who has read more than two or three books on veganism and vegetarianism runs across references to Pythagoras, Henry Salt, Francis Moore Lappe, Leo Tolstoy, etc. etc. as people who wrote important works on vegetarianism. But their books are hard to find. This book steps in and presents the central writings of these and many other people who have defended the notion that diet is a moral moatter. Very helpful, very well organized.

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Summary: An organized variety of ethical reasons to stop eating meat
Review: As the title implies, various philosophers through the ages have come to the conclusion that meat eating is neither necessary nor ethical. Here, in Ethical Vegetarianism, their most articulate arguments are organized sequentially for the common reader. A great book and a bargain nonetheless.

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Summary: An excellent chronological anthology
Review: Being totally unfamiliar with virtually any mode of vegetarian thought when picking up this book, I would say that this is probably the best starting point that there possibly could be on the subject, outlining vegetarian philosophy throught the millenia. Its three main divisions are ancient (Greek) times, the 18th century, and the present. Throughout the editors provide helpful commentary essays on the periods they are showcasing and offer great short summaries before each individual piece, finishing with appendices that feature the salient antivegetarian arguments, principally those of Aristotle and Descartes, and excerpts from Kant, who would be kind of in between, if that's possible, on the ethical treatment of animals. Of course, some of the excerpts were less interesting than others, some were enthralling- Ovid's writings of Pythagoras are wonderfully poetic, and Tolstoy's recollection of his visits to a slaughterhouse are vividly grotesque, numbing, and haunting- my two favorite pieces. Overall a highly recommended read or handbook, especially for someone new to vegetarian thought.

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Summary: A Good Place To Start--
Review: I'm not a vegetarian and I doubt I'll become one. But I found this collection interesting because I've always thought of vegetarians as nice but sorta flakey tree huggers. The essays here are written by people who offer strong arguments for their beliefs. (Usually, that is. The one by Harriet Schlieffer is over the top). But sorry folks. My appetite over-rules my head in this case.

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Summary: I'm not a vegetarian, but . . .
Review: I've read several of Walters's other books, and so I decided to give this one a try. It's basically a collection of essays going all the way back to the ancient Greeks that defend vegetarianism as a moral choice. This is a new concept for me. I always thought people went vegetarian because they wanted to stay healthy--you know, the narcissistic types who wanted to live to be a hundred and to have a beautiful body. The cool thing about this book is that it showed me that vegetarianism is a lot more than that. Maybe it's time to throw away the ground beef and stay away from fast food places.

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Summary: This made me a vegetarian!
Review: My wife, a vegetarian, gave me (up to this time a nonvegetarian) this book for Christmas. After reading it, I'm a believer. I never took all the health arguments for vegetarianism seriously, but it's hard to deny this book's claim that a meatless diet is the right thing to do. I especially liked the selections from contemporary vegetarians-Peter Singer, Mary Moore Lappe, Harriet Schleiffer, Carol Adams. They point out that meat eating not only needlessly tortures and kills millions of animals, but that it is also economically wasteful. For me, this is the strongest argument. If youre thinking about going vegetarian, read this book.

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Summary: History's most eloquent vegetarians, all in one book!
Review: The editors did an excellent job of choosing, organizing and editing this fascinating book. The book includes writings from over 30 people (including relevant biograpical info), and useful bibliographies both pro- and anti-vegetarian. I spent a lot of time at libraries looking through the compact shelving until I discovered this book and found a lot of what I needed already organized and laid out before me. A must-read for all those interested in vegetarianism and humanity's relationship with other animals!

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Summary: The best book on moral vegetarianism
Review: Where else can you find moral defences of vegetarianism from the ancient Greeks to modern feminists? This book is a fantastic source of information. The introductions to each section of readings are helpful, and the texts themselves are down to earth and understandable (no, this book ISN'T just for eggheads!). My favorites in the book are Alphonse de Lamartine, Leo Tolstoy, and Carol Adams. Harriet Schliefer's essay on factory farming will give you the creeps--especially when you see somebody eating a hamburger. Especially helpful is a bibliography of antivegetarian sources in the back--know the opposition. All in all, a great book.