The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith

Part memoir, nutritional primer, and political manifesto, this controversial examination exposes the destructive history of agriculture—caused the devastation of prairies and forests, driven countless species extinct, altered the climate, and destroyed the topsoil—and asserts that, in order to save the planet, food must come from within living communities. In order for this to happen, the argument champions eating locally and sustainably and encourages those with the resources to grow their own food. Further examining the question of what to eat from the perspective of both human and environmental health, the account goes beyond health choices and discusses potential moral issues from eating—or not eating—animals. Through the deeply personal narrative of someone who practiced veganism for 20 years, this unique exploration also discusses alternatives to industrial farming, reveals the risks of a vegan diet, and explains why animals belong on ecologically sound farms.

http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Myth-Food-Justice-Sustainability/dp/1604860804

9 Comments on “The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith”

  1. I attempted to leave a comment earlier, but I don’t think it went through. If I duplicate what I’ve said, I apologize….

    The 1st 14 pages of this book are, or at least were available on Lierre’s website – http://www.lierrekeith.com/vegmyth.htm

    I have yet to read the book, but just the 1st 14 pages have changed my views on vegetarianism. I was a vegetarian for about 3 years, but I now eat organic local meat and I hope to do me some hunting at some point!

    Word n shit yo.

  2. Thanks for posting this, Scout. Combining the topics of meat-eating versus vegetarianism and the disaster that is agriculture seems like a natural. Good to see an author go there. Those first 14 pages on her site definitely pique my interest.

  3. The Vegetarian Myth is a beautifully written, authoritative and mind boggling book. A must read, especially if you are either a vegan or a vegetarian. Definitely worthy of being purchased. Thank you Lierre for writing and bringing this topic out into the open!

  4. I hadn’t eaten red meat in 18 years and I then read L. Keith’s book, “The Vegetarian Myth.” My whole view has changed. Now I eat grass-fed meat (and eggs) from time to time and I love it. Nutritionally speaking, vegetarian and vegan diets lack certain, necessary amino acids, and there is no way of getting around that.

  5. Just finished the book and it is excellent. I always wondered why I love eating the fat on my steak. Lay off of the fucking breads man!

  6. I just found this book, and its answered a lot of the questions ive been having, a sort of internal dialogue/battle as to what is morally/spiritually correct, and what my body is asking for.
    I used to feel a bit guilty when eating fish or chicken occasionally (ive been mostly vegetarian for the past 11 years, but never been able to go more then 2 years without giving in and eating some fish).
    Now i feel reconciled on the issue, and even bought some organic grass fed beef the other day (man it was good!)
    Here’s a link to an audio interview with Lierre Keith: http://cdn3.libsyn.com/ournaturallife/ONL050.mp3?nvb=20100201221215&nva=20100202222215&t=0d07eedcac4bee811e95c

    Thanks for posting!

  7. same situation as all the people above me.
    i was a vegetarian/vegan for four years (WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?! i now ask myself) and only recently began eating local animals/animal products.
    i feel NO shame in my dietary choices, although i do, as always, feel compassion for those who give me their flesh and spirit.
    The vegetarian myth helped me greatly to answer these certain questions i had been asking myself for the last 6 months of my vegetarianism.
    one being, “if humans are not seperate from the natural world, why do i not eat what my landbase offers and instead remove myself from this part of the food chain while consuming eco-system destroying grains from across the world?
    one body or an entire eco-system?”
    also helpful was your “diets vs.” blog.
    thanks lierre and thanks urban scout,

    kid cutbank

  8. i will continue to be vegan as i manage to be local and very sustainable at least 95% of the time, thank u though for bringing out some very important Points, BUT i still think ur BOOK is rather counterproductive as u now even indulge people to hunt ://……poor deer is all i can say