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Summary: The Book I Wish I'd Written
Review: If you can only read one book about low carbohydrate dieting, read this one. Jonny Bowden's Living the Low Carb Life offers a wealth of information about why low carb works, with overviews and ratings of all the popular varients and debunking of the myths. He's got the knowledge to help you make the right choice for your life and body. He writes well, too; this book is remarkably entertaining. I've written a lot about low carb diets myself, and I found myself reading Jonny's book thinking, "Damn, I wish *I'd* written this!" A must-read.
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Summary: Did his homework!
Review: This book is an excellent example of objectivity in scientific research. Bowden exposes the myths and nonsense appeals to authority that dominate nutrition-related professions. The caloric theory of weight loss is one example. It is a misapplication of the 1st law of thermodynamics to human metabolism and hormone regulation, as demonstrated in various isocaloric studies, which are noted in Bowden's book. Weight loss is primarily about reduction in insulin secretion, insulin being the main fat storage hormone (once glycogen stores are replenished). This is perhaps the best book to refer to dieticians, nutritionists, and doctors, because it passes rational, evidence-based judgment on the various claims being made on both sides of the debate--and the low-carb life comes out the winner by a landslide.
For background, I've had type I diabetes for 10 years and am a very physically fit 35 year old who does a lot of strength training. I've never been overweight, but I've made a point to read the various books on health, diet, and nutrition, as well as double check their claims by reading the actual studies. The ineluctable conclusion is that low carb, higher fat, optimal protein diets (similar to what Paleolithic man ate) are by far the healthiest. My improvement in blood readings (holding other variables constant) are an indicator of this, albeit anecdotal. I switched from the mainstream recommended high carb/low fat diet about 8 years ago, thereby cutting my insulin requirements in half and improving my short and long term health. Regulating insulin secretion via carb consumption has more benefits that just weight loss.
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Summary: A must read for those living the low-carb life
Review: This is one of the most extensively-researched books on the market dealing with low-carb dieting. It has a vast bibliography and a very comprehensive resources section. The author describes, in some detail, each of the many low-carb diet plans and how they may be suited to you as an individual. There is also a section on low-carb myths, how low-carb diets actually work, and frequently-asked questions. There is even a chapter on controlled-carb dieting and how it differs from the typical low-carb diet. It's well-written and easy to understand, but has a wealthy of useful information, especially about the history and politics of dieting.
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Summary: A Low-carbohydrate guidebook
Review: This is the must have book for anyone who is either considering a controlled carbohydrate eating plan or for those who are veteran 'low Carbers.' Jonny Bowden provides historical facts and clinical information in both an enjoyable and easily understandable way. Having read many books on this subject, and just about all of the books which the address the eating plans he reviews in his book, from Neanderthin to The Schwarzbein Principle, I would say his reviews and insights into the many controlled carbohydrate eating plans now available, is invaluable, and allows the reader to find the 'diet plan' that fits them best. This book should be assigned reading for every Registered Dietician in America. I personally want to thank him for the phrase "controlled carbohydrate." In the past when I spoke the words "low carb diet,' people looked at me as if I had uttered a profanity. Now, when I tell them that I am on a controlled carbohydrate diet, they want to know more. Living the Low Carb Life is definitely a book that I can't live without. Bravo, Jonny Bowden!
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Summary: Very Good Overview and History
Review: This text provides a very lucid and interesting history of low-carb dieting, as well as an insightful analysis of some particular diets. It is best used as an additional text to the more direct dietary advice given in books such as Syndrome X (Challem, et al), The Zone, Atkins New Diet Revolution, The Schwarzbein principle, The No-Grain Diet, Dr. Bernstein's Diet Revolution, etc.
For 75% of the population, the USDA/ADA recommended diet is simply unhealthy, to varying degrees. For about 25% of the population, the USDA/ADA diet will be deadly. The solution will be some form of "low-carb" dieting, which takes various forms, as Bowden's text elaborates.
It should be noted that the mainstream medical community, influenced by the AMA, which is in turn influenced by USDA, which is influenced by grain and sugar consortium lobbyists, still asserts the problematic nature of low-carb dieting--DO NOT BE FOOLED BY COMMERCIALISM. Think about it? What were humans designed to eat? Twinkies and chocolate and donuts and cereal and bread? Or meat, Fish, vegetables, nuts, and fruit (when available--i.e. limited quantities)?.
LIVING THE LOW-CARB LIFE is a good starting point in low-carb research. It should be read in conjunction with the other texts listed.
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Summary: Forget the others and just buy this one
Review: Yeah, forget the other low carb blathering money-making books and buy this one instead. You should end up with it anyway, as I'm sure it'll be a long-term word-of-mouth book, so save your money and don't waste your time on the rest. It's brand new and a cliff notes of all the low-carb diets AND it shows you how to tailor one for yourself. I was skeptical of the Barry Sears name on the cover as it screws around with the veracity of reviewing ALL the diets, but it's okay. it's not a "Zone diet, GOOD...all others BAD" book. And unlike the tedious pages of menu filler they put in the "South Beach Diet" book to make it worth $25, this one's a keeper for the online resource list and question and answers, as well as facts. I prefer the simplicity of his own basic diet, as it's a distillation of the others' basic messages and teaches you to tweak according to your own needs. However, I think the others throw in woo-woo-witchy directives like "eat 1 cup of blue flowers a month" to make you feel like you've gotta pay $5 a week to get the absolute latest in magical secrets from their websites. That's bad. Bad and greedy. I can't help feeling like I'm stepping right up to snake oil salesmen fleecing me. But Jonny, here. Nah. He's in his boots, wading in the trenches WITH us, and not charging us to say hello or asking for five bucks for a signature like an old stripper. I like that he's checking up on research, turning rocks over, and sharing information in articles all over. That's a lot of work. He kind of knows he's not the king of the prom, but he should be. He's got solid, easy information so that we don't feel like we're walking out on planks with our eyes covered. He's thorough and generous. He didn't phone this book in. It's so useful and a lot of work. My copy will get dog-eared and tattered. Buy it and get a highlighter pen at the same time. I'm buying another one for someone. And don't get it used! Buy it new so the publisher knows they'd better keep it in print! For littler books, these things DO matter! And the littler guys who aren't preaching all-or-nothing, which is certainly less commercial than the "chemistry" of magical blue flowers once a month, need all the votes they can get.
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