VEGETARIANISM, Colin Spencer

Colin Spencer
Vegetarianism
A History

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"A history of religion and diet … totally absorbing and fascinating." —Weekend Telegraph

For reasons of health, the environment, and now with the recent incidence of mad cow disease in North America, vegetarianism has increasing appeal — and Colin Spencer cogently argues the benefits of such a diet. A compelling, lucid work, Vegetarianism chronicles meat abstinence throughout history, describing its ancient origins and the innumerable struggles of this now increasingly popular movement.

Spencer traces vegetarianism back to 600 B.C. He presents the controversial thesis that early hominids abstained from meat eating and argues that we therefore do not need meat to survive. In what is probably the book's most engaging section, Spencer demonstrates how vegetarianism has been central to utopian thought throughout the ages. After all, vegetarianism was a hallmark of Plato's imagined Republic, as well as a staple of Hinduism, Buddhism, the Manichean sect of Christianity, and Seventh Day Adventism. Vegetarianism was also a personal practice of Pythagoras, Leonardo da Vinci, and Gandhi.

The ideology of vegetarianism — often tied to pacifism and progressive thought — has been regularly attacked throughout history. Despite this, the movement is growing, with over two million vegetarians in the United States alone. Spencer passionately argues that vegetarianism merits serious consideration as a solution to the world's growing food crisis. Yet his ultimate message is one of humanity and compassion, and he concludes that "Our common humanity tells us that this is no way to treat animals, so eminently worthy of our respect and kindness."

In addition to his many acclaimed books on vegetarian cooking, including The Vegetable Book and Vegetable Pleasures, Colin Spencer has written regular food columns for The Guardian and Country Living. He lives on the south coast of England, where he grows rare and unusual vegetables.