Please take a peek at my new article on the Science Based Medicine website. You may recall that I criticized the website back in July for their review of the book Vegan Betrayal. I hadn’t actually read the book at the time, however. I’ve done so now and I asked them to consider sharing a new review of the book from me. They were kind enough to do so.
Curiously, though, they inserted an editorial comment at the beginning of the article suggesting that my perspective is similar to their own original review of the book. I don’t know—Dr. Harriet Hall who reviewed the book for them claimed that its nutrition information was solid. I say that it’s not based on any evidence whatsoever. It seems like a big difference to me.
My review is long—there is a lot in the book that invites debunking—but I hope you’ll find time to read it and will consider leaving a comment on the Science Based Medicine website.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this, Ginny.
Thanks, Matt, and thanks for leaving a comment on their website.
A very good review, and excellent piece of writing, Ginny, as usual. I have forwarded it to vegan friends, and then I bought your books. I know they will be excellent resources. Many thanks for writing this blog.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Amy!
Thank you Ginny I guess you cleared that up smile
Thank you
Nancy
I’m going to comment on the website, but what does “From here she gravitates to a medical INTUITIVE’ mean, please? Thanks
It means that the next health provider she consulted called himself a “medical intuitive.”
Awesome! Thanks so much for this!
Ginny, I have to tell you how I admire your courage putting your thoughts and beliefs out there for all to see. In responding to the article on that site (as Kestrel) I felt I was playing tennis alone against six people! I tried to keep my remarks polite, no matter what, but it was not easy!
Thank you so much for your courage in commenting on the site, Amy. It’s a tough crowd!!
Another fantastic honest and fair rebuttal, Ginny. Thanks so much for continuing to go up against the ex-vegan, anti-vegan pieces.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your review, Ginny, and even COL’d (chuckled out loud) a couple of times. I love how crisp your writing is. And I left a comment on your review. 🙂
Thanks, Vicki, for commenting on the article!
Thank you for once again offering an honest and educated voice on this subject! As someone who has fallen off the vegan wagon after three years and trying to get back on, articles like this help remind me of the science supporting plant based diets in addition to the ethical reasons. Thank you.
I don’t see a sidebar on your blog to subscribe. How do I do that? thx
It’s in the box with the social media buttons on the upper right–above the “Buy Vegan for Life” box. Thanks for subscribing!
What a great review, Ginny. I haven’t read the book in question myself, it would probably cause my blood to boil, but your breakdown and review were so well written and eloquently said. So glad there are well-educated people like you who aren’t afraid to speak up for the truth.
I had never heard of the book or the review in SBM, but reading your take-down* was seriously enjoyable. Thanks!
* You might be too polite to describe it in this way… but I’m not.
“I criticised their review of the book vegan betrayal, which I hadn’t actually read at the time”. This just turned me right off wanting to explore veganism as a potential lifestyle change for me. I don’t like vegetables to begin with, so that in itself makes the choice a lot harder. But when you combine it with the fact that you have people who attack non-vegans and do things like criticise reviews for books they haven’t even read, that just makes me want to take 3 wide strides back and a backflip away from the veganism community. I agree with a lot of vegan ethics, but the way a lot of vegans go about trying to convert people or the way they defend the movement (like criticising reviews of a book without having read it) is really off putting.
I also found this puzzling. Unfortunately, it is also one of the first things I saw after coming to this website, which was recommended to me as a good source of information.
As a vegan, skeptic and frequent reader of SBM, I was delighted to find your post on SBM. I feel that science-based medicine and veganism intersect far too infrequently in popular media. It seems like most of the articles and books discussing veganism that garner attention either quickly dismiss vegan diets as unhealthy and impractical or advocate for pseudoscience and veganism jointly. It was so nice to read a well-reasoned argument against anti-vegan nonsense. Thank you!
“This just turned me right off wanting to explore veganism as a potential lifestyle change for me.”
Ginny criticized the review, not the book. Kind of like you criticizing Ginny and you didn’t even read the book, or how I’m criticizing you and I haven’t read the book. It’s totally possible to not read a book and still critique someone’s writing, especially if it’s found to contain baseless or false information.
Read the post, guys. She criticised the review for factually incorrect information stated in the review. A little ironic you’re criticizing her for criticizing a book she hadn’t read when you’re criticizing her on the basis of a criticism you haven’t read. Also, talk of “the vegan community” – not a thing, vegans aren’t a church – putting you off considering veganism is just lazy talk. It’s no vegan’s job to evangelize or entice you and if you actually do think vegan ethics are important you won’t be put off by behaviour you don’t like from other vegans. I hear this all the time to shut vegans down – “oh I was considering veganism but your tone/behaviour/opinion has put me off.” Know what you’re actually saying there? “This person has irritated me so animals deserve to die and it’s okay to harm the environment.” Don’t predicate your good behaviour on whether others are agreeable to you or whether you find the demeanour of prominent vegans acceptable. It’s not a club. Do your own research. Make your own choices.