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	The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
	"Very important book"	2009-09-21
I just picked up your book this weekend. As a long time vegetarian (mostly vegan)for 22 years plus, I was familiar with most of the animal issues brought up but totally unaware as to the plight of the farmer, the processed food industry and details of what happens on feedlots. I found OD riveting and could not put it down and not share with my companion. The story is told in a very entertaining way making difficult information go down easier. But it was also very sad, especially the feedlot chapter and I had to take a break to deal with the new information I was digesting. Yes, this is hard information to take but it's very necessary to "air it out" so those of us who care can make different choices. I was only disappointed and surprised by one thing in this book: Pollan's dismissal of the vegan/veg choice to remedy the evils in agriculture. I do not understand how such an intelligent man can dismiss this choice but he did. He also got many things wrong about the veg diet. Pollan says we do not save more lives because rodents die in the production of grain BUT vegans eat much less grain overall because our grain is fed directly to us, not animals and thus tons of food energy (and mice) is saved. He is also wrong that we are "not connected" to nature. On the contrary, we are more sensitive to pain and suffering...it is those who do not feel for the beasts that are disconnected. He comes from a total ecological standpoint...which is his right but it is not the whole story. There is a spiritual imperative here that needs to be discussed. In yoga, it is stressed we are divine beings...we are capable of being saints or beasts...it is our choice. We do NOT have to "prey" like the animals, that is not the truth of who we are. We can easily choose to not kill in this life if we want it. And also, everyone who makes these arguments that animals kill, and thus it's "OK" for us to kill conveniently forget that the cow and pig and chicken does not hurt us, are gentle creatures yet we are committing tremendous pain on them because we simply can. It's horrendous and a crime that these gentle creatures are being abused for our palates. They are being pushed around because they are gentle and do not fight back. What an ugly statement of how low humans can go. Pollan is very bright...but he is blind in some ways. His whole world view is pure scientist and intellectual but life and morality is so much more than that. But I forgive him because he, not coming from a veg background, showed many the cruelty in agriculture that would've have never known had he not exposed it. And contrary to what many on here choose to believe...we can be veg and be very healthy. I come from a family of meat eaters...but I am fine. I have not had meat for 22 years...and I am more than fine. I am thriving (free of aches and pains, can move very easily, and no common diseases) and my diet does not add harm and cruelty to this world. I also enjoy it very much and am very grateful for all the vegetarian food available for me. And contrary to what has been said in these comments, vegetarianism has a long history with many cultures that were veg. To those of us who care about these issues...I encourage you to eat less meat or go veg and even vegan. This is the best option and certainly more economical...as few can buy grass fed beef. It really is not very hard at all once you familiarize yourself with new foods and learn some new recipes. In fact, it's a beautiful AND fun way to live AND you free yourself of many afflictions that meat eaters get. We are very lucky in this day and age to have so many food options available. Just going to the local health food store...many different choices of plant proteins, grains, beans, nuts and seeds as well as tons of ways to prepare them. If you search, you can find tons of meatless/animal free recipes out there that are delicious, comforting, fun and whatever you want them to be. It's all there, we just have to make the choice and direct some of your energy to trying it. I left the book with a renewed commitment to live a cruelty-free life, to the best of my ability and to add to peace to the planet. I want fairness for all...farmers, animals, the consumer, the earth. Thank you Michael Pollan for having the courage to look behind the veil of how our food is produced. So few have the courage or interest (most would rather look away) to do this. You have done a great service...for animals, for fairness and for the the world in general.
	If the Buddha Dated: A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path
	"Flowery Fluff"	2009-07-29
I hesitate to write a negative review but I want to warn others who are looking for good dating advice. I don't believe that advice is here. Ms. Kasl means well but the whole book is full of pop psychology, cliches, platitudes and flowery language all wrapped up under the umbrella "Buddhism" even though she talks about many spiritual traditions. Now I like flowery language...in a novel, but not in dating books. Further, I am sorry, I don't feel her information will be that helpful in the dating world. Ms. Kasl seems to feel that we disconnect from our true selves and are "not authentic" if we take the advice of other dating gurus. I feel she is ignoring what is obvious in life and denying the dance of dating. It feels very "nicey nicey", politically correct and wrong. I could have given better advice. If you want to be like the Buddha dating...have compassion for everyone who comes your way, practice kindness, be honest and don't have too many expectations and accept what comes to you. There, that was simple. Most readers will need other kinds of advice. Practical advice...on how to set boundaries, relationship progression, how to communicate and express yourself, guidance on the first, second and dates beyond, what men want and respond to, and how to attract the one you want. And, yes, Ms. Kasl, you don't lose your "self" when using this info...you actually form wonderful relationships. I had to laugh at her and another Buddhist criticizing more mainstream ideas...I bet you a dime a dozen that that Buddhist man had a woman who claims to want everything "equal" has a woman who is feminine, flirty, and brings out the masculine in him. I would recommend Steve Nakamoto for the male point of view, Patricia Allen about female and male energies, a book called "Get Over Yourself". There are so many books out there to enhance your love life, I would try those first. They are practical and will help to make dating more enjoyable and successful.
	The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health
	"Very, very interesting"	2008-06-26
I just completed The China Study and I feel it was a very interesting, informative read. It's kind of a scientific thriller as in what else will our good scientist T. Colin Campbell reveal? The end of the book was the most interesting to me...how the establishment ignores easy, inexpensive ways to heal disease thru diet, how doctors who espouse nutritional therapy are rejected and how industry and government are intertwined and, as a result, the public is left ignorant on how they can easily and simply heal themselves. One thing to think about: I am sure many who read this book want nationalized health care. I am not sure that would be a good thing at the moment with a government that is unable to give us the information we need right NOW. It is addicted to costly procedures and drugs making everything more complex, painful and expensive. In fact, people are DYING from our conventional medicare...one of the biggest killers of Americans. Do we really want to hand over the reigns of our healthcare (and money) to a government that is unable to act in our own self-interest? If we did, our money would be wasted in furthering the pharmaceutical and medical industries at the expense of our health. I don't think it's a good idea unless it can be cleaned up and the motives clean. I'd rather give my healthcare dollars to people and institutions that espouse the truth...something the government is incapable of.
	Making Handbags & Purses: 50 Patterns & Designs from Casual to Corporate
	"I thought the bags were wonderful"	2007-12-04
Hmmmm I just checked this book out of the library and was so inspired that I came here to Amazon to purchase my own. I was sad to find I could not and was very surprised to read so many negative reviews. Many people describe the bags as "ugly"...I found them hip, cute, stylish, creative very cute. Maybe because I like artistic/Bohemian style...but even so there were many varieties to like. Very shocked at all of your negative opinions....wow. I am curious what you do think is cute...maybe boring mainstream bags? I don't know. I hope to get a copy and I will be making cute bags with free style emobroidery, applique, cute closures...and I will look sharp!
	Making Handbags & Purses: 50 Patterns & Designs from Casual to Corporate
	"I thought the bags were wonderful "	2007-12-03
Hmmmm I just checked this book out of the library and was so inspired that I came here to Amazon to purchase my own. I was sad to find I could not and was very surprised to read so many negative reviews. Many people describe the bags as "ugly"...I found them hip, cute, stylish, creative very cute. Maybe because I like artistic/Bohemian style...but even so there were many varieties to like. Very shocked at all of your negative opinions....wow. I am curious what you do think is cute...maybe boring mainstream bags? I don't know. I hope to get a copy and I will be making cute bags with free style emobroidery, applique, cute closures...and I will look sharp!