Why We Should Go Vegan

by Magnus Vinding

“An excellent concise statement of the arguments for going vegan.”
— Peter Singer, Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, author of Animal Liberation.

Magnus Vinding provides a comprehensive review of the many reasons to stop supporting the animal industry, and to instead transition toward a system that is less harmful for both human and non-human beings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Vegan

83 pages, ebook

First published February 16, 2014

About the author

Magnus Vinding is the author of Speciesism: Why It Is Wrong and the Implications of Rejecting It (2015), Reflections on Intelligence (2016), You Are Them (2017), Effective Altruism: How Can We Best Help Others? (2018), Suffering-Focused Ethics: Defense and Implications (2020), Reasoned Politics (2022), Essays on Suffering-Focused Ethics (2022), and Essays on UFOs and Related Conjectures (2024).

His next book will be Compassionate Purpose: Personal Inspiration for a Better World.

Reviews

[Willow Rankin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an incredibly short book bestowing the virtues of veganism, for not only individual health, but also, as a society, to the animals and to the planet.
Whilst I don't fault the research, as clearly from the references at the back of the book, this is heavily researched.
My criticisms are levelled at the opinions and the moralistic tones, as well the repetitions. Further, whilst I agree going vegan, is the more sustainable option, B12 and Omega 3 supplements are required in order to be 100% healthy. For me, this therefore negates the message droned in that a vegan diet can supply every required nutrient, taking vitamin supplements is not a healthy diet.
Further, the black and white viewpoint of veganism was off-putting. Whilst I am headed in a more plant based diet, and moving away from a predominantly meat heavy diet; this book at times made me want to eat a steak, just for how patronizing the tone is.
The stars are for the research, and not the authors' opinion. This book would of benefitted from a more scientific view point rather than the moralistic patronizing tone of the author.

[Ireene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and concise reading! A must read for everyone. Even vegans can benefit from it and get new ideas how to talk about veganism and how not to support animal exploitation.

[Diana Staab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfassbar gutes Buch, um einfach mehr zu lernen über den Konsum tierischer Produkte. Mit wissenschaftlichen Quellen belegt und sehr anschaulich mit Beispielen beschrieben.

[Olweg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like the moralistic tone, some arguments show a simplistic vision when it's not partly inaccurate. The author repeat himself a lot, the book could be half its actual length..
However, it makes good points, even if it's simple good sense...
I guess it won't work to convince anyone to go vegan, since it sounds really judging. If you're willing to become vegan and want to read about it, I'm not sure this book is a good idea.

[Josephine Burks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very succinct and well researched short book about the reasons all people should take up veganism. I've always been curious about this lifestyle, having read this book I'm more inclined to change my eating habits towards veganism. Great book.

[Noo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why We Should Go Vegan is a well-laid out book with a variety of supporting references to back up its claims. Obviously written from the perspective of a Vegan, it is one-sided, and highly opinionated. But that opinion isn't wrong. We all know that treating farm animals the way that we do is simply horrible, but we have developed a societal coping mechanism: willful ignorance. And apathy. We also justify the amount of meat we consume with senseless reasoning.

Personally, I have been trying to steer away from a meat-based diet, but have recently become rather lax in my efforts due to moving to a new country. This guilt-ridden read (justifiable in its content I might add) was just the message I needed to get back on it. To use a quote from the book, "Giving up foods of animal origin demands no heroic personal sacrifice - merely mild personal inconvenience." I'm now on the hunt for meat substitute products in Phuket.

A recommended short read for anyone needing that extra push in the direction of Veganism.

[Claire Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Whilst I found this interesting to read I did find the tone a little patronizing & dictatorial. I am interested in a vegan diet but feel this book was too black & white in so far as veganism is the only way forward. The information within the book is really good, could just do with a more gentle approach.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short E-book with author hammering the above title not as a conclusion but rather as the starting point. He uses valid and good evidence, but he never would look at the other side, so it is a one sided treatise, for good or for bad. Would it convince anyone?
I would certainly want to eat less animal products, but maybe I'm too lazy and selfish to go all the way?

[Hemen Kalita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author successfully makes his point with this concise but conclusive e-book freely available on Amazon. Anyone who wants to go vegan or is curious about plant based diet should definitely check this one out.

[julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

I got this when I first became vegan; it helped me understand the dairy industry , definitely opened my eyes

[Tanuja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, short read on the bullet points of how veganism is good for several reasons.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very convincing, I'm trying to work towards a vegan diet. It will take some time, as I'm doing it slowly because I know if I just switch, it'll never work. This book was a definite help, some very valid points, and plenty of great reasons to give it a go.

[Ingsf_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

L'argument est juste mais l'écriture est si pauvre que je ne vois pas l'intérêt d'un tel essai. Les idées sont énumérées sans développement. Elles s'enchainent sans laisser au lecteur le temps de les intégrer ou même de les accepter. L'essai manque de références (notamment quand il donne des chiffres). D'ailleurs, en lisant la bibliographie, on ne peut que noter le manque de variété dans les sources.
Chacun des arguments est présenté par l'auteur comme évident et il n'offre donc aucune solution et aucun accompagnement au changement. Il ignore totalement la difficulté d'une telle transition et insiste juste sur le fait que ce n'est pas si difficile ce qui donne au livre un ton quelque peu condescendant.
Si on me disait que ça avait été écrit par un étudiant de licence, je ne serais pas étonnée - c'est de ce niveau-là.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was clear, to the point, educational and a bit shocking even somewhat mentally traumatizing since I eat meat (reduced considerably) and since I have not really thought into that level of detail about the food complex's ever growing impact. The war complex yes but not the impact of the food industry not just on the animals but also on the environment and the state of developing countries beyond a basic level. Worth the read to put things into perspective.

[Andreas Michaelides]

Excellent book. It tells you exactly why someone should become vegan. It covers the health aspects of the lifestyle, it covers the ecology of the planet and also the animal rights. It gives you a complete and comprehensive view of why indeed should become a Vegan.
Highly recommended it.

[Fluffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very convincing book about becoming vegan...however, it was also very biased. It was like a campaign on becoming vegan. No disadvantages, whatsoever...I actually had to look them up.

[Suneena S Pokkamthanam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Informative

This was a educational book and an eye opener. I recommend this to anyone with an open mind. Easy read as well.

[Ryan McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise, but contains distracting grammar

Good read for anyone interested in veganism and its positive side effects, but some of the language and phrasing is clunky.

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!