No More Bull!: The Mad Cowboy Targets America's Worst Enemy: Our Diet

by Howard F. Lyman, Glen Merzer, Joanna Samorow-Merzer

In 1996, when Howard Lyman warned America on The Oprah Winfrey Show that Mad Cow Disease was coming to America, offended cattlemen sued him and Oprah both. Not only were Lyman and Oprah vindicated in court, but events have proved many of Lyman's predictions absolutely right. Mad Cow Disease has come to America, and Lyman argues persuasively in No More Bull! that the problem will only grow more deadly until our government deals with it seriously.

In Mad Cowboy, Lyman, a fourth-generation Montana rancher turned vegetarian then vegan, told the story of his personal transformation after a spinal tumor, which he believes was caused by agricultural chemicals, nearly left him paralyzed. In No More Bull!, Lyman uses his humor, compassion, firsthand experience in agriculture, and command of the facts of health to argue that we might all profit by transforming our diets. He makes a powerful case that Alzheimer's is yet another disease linked to eating meat. And he explains that the steak at the heart of your dinner plate not only may destroy your own heart but actually offers no more nutritional value than a doughnut! If you've been confused by the competing claims of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, and other fad diets, No More Bull! is the book that will set you straight. Its pure, unvarnished truth is told with down-home common sense.

Lyman's got a message for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans -- and the message of No More Bull! is that we can all do better for ourselves and the planet.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Vegan, Health, Animals, Nutrition, Cookbooks

274 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Howard F. Lyman is an American farmer and animal rights activist known for promoting vegan nutrition and organic farming. In 1997 he was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award for his leadership in the animal rights movement.

Lyman was raised as a fourth generation rancher on a farm that produced dairy and meat commodities. He attended Montana State University and graduated with a B.S. degree in general agriculture in 1961. Upon graduation, he spent two years in the United States Army before returning to work on the farm.

From 1963 to 1983 he was actively engaged in animal and grain production. The areas in which he was involved were dairy, pork, registered Hereford, chicken, range cattle, feedlot beef production, veal, grain, silage, and hay production.

In 1979 Lyman was diagnosed with a tumor in his spine. Faced with the prospect of paralysis, he vowed to return to non-chemical means of farming if he beat the cancer. He survived an operation to remove the tumour and set out to transform his land into an organic farm. He also ran for political office but lost his first election. He then became a lobbyist, and moved to Washington, D.C.

Circa 1990, again facing health concerns, he became a vegetarian and found his health improved. In 1989 Lyman had begun to investigate Mad Cow disease, which was just becoming an issue in the UK. He eventually became a vegan.

In April 1996 Lyman came to national attention during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Lyman's remarks on the show led to Winfrey renouncing hamburgers. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association sued Lyman and Winfrey. Both were found not guilty in 1998.

Reviews

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this book is probably the most honest look at what it means to be vegan versus vegetarian I have read. The book was written by Howard Lyman a former cattle rancher who turned Vegan. Lyman wanted to create an open dialogue between vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters to reconsider what the food they eat and the need of various supplements to make-up for the lack of some food they do not eat. His main points were to examine both the healthy and unhealthy aspects of all three group's diets, so readers can make their own informed choices about how they wish to proceed with their diets. As an omnivore, it was a relief to finally read a book that did not constantly preach or try to guilt trip anyone for eating meat. Lyman even does something I have rarely seen in the other vegetarian and vegan books I have read: he discusses the cons of being vegetarian and vegan. He is explicit about what is missing in terms of proper nutrition and how vitamins are not always the best solution. Lyman offers some solutions and asks each of to join in carrying them or create better alternatives and offer them to everyone to create a better sustainable food ecosystem.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Howard Lyman's first book, The Mad Cowboy, is what moved me from vegetarian to vegan. This follow up book updates the current corporate control over animal protein food supply -- even the criminalization of farmers owning their own seeds. Lyman explains, in clear, easy-to-understand terms, why meat isn't really food and de-myths many "common wisdoms" that are dangerously unhealthy for humans. The book also contains over 100 vegan recipes -- several of which I've made (and I hate cooking) and found delicious!

[Kurt Thonnings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with Omnivore’s Dilemma and Comfortably Unaware, it points to the sad state of food in America. Must read for all

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this author's first book which details his journey from 4th generation Montana fairy farmer/rancher to outspoken vegan champion. Truly amazing how the big agriculture industry completely controls our food chain. The argument that resonates with me is that there is no profit in fresh fruits and vegetables, as they quickly rot....and therefore cannot sit in warehouses and store shelves. The fact that eating a vegan diet doesn't require you to buy a 60 day plan, or a bunch of supplements. Nor does it come with a warning label of numerous scary side effects. The natural outcome is to roll back obesity, and chronic health issues. Good Read.

[Daniel Hicklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A animal farmer turned Vegan tells of his experiences throughout his life.

Mad.

[Whitney Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. Didn't really learn anything new except the first part about Mad Cow disease. Was disappointed when I saw that the majority of the book is recipes as I was looking for a good, new argument about veganism. Not a good read for the already devoted, but good for those toying with the idea. I was really put off by the condescension in the book. When speaking "to his meat-eating friends" he couldn't be more off-putting and superior (i.e. "if you cut down on meat from a daily poisoning to a once-a-month sin"), and then, when he moves to "his fellow vegans and vegetarians" he tells you that it's still not good enough. I know I can always be doing more. I don't need someone to tell me. I need someone to present a scientific argument that I can form my own opinions from.

All in all, it's an okay read but I really don't like be barked at as if I'm unintelligent. It feels as if someone has knocked on my door asking if I want to learn about their religion, and then they proceed to come in and sit down on my couch and yell at me because I'm going to hell. Let people make decisions on their own.

[Damien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the written text; that is, the first 8 chapters (98 pages). Chapter 9 was 134 pages of recipes, most of which seemed odd, unappetizing, or disproportionate as far as ingredients went. The last part was especially true with some of the recipes I tried- they were basically good, but with some major adjustments could have been so much better. But I understand that these were intended with the maximum health benefits in mind, so maybe in about 10 years I will appreciate them more.
Still, i just discovered this guy, and I like him a lot. He's like John Robbins but with attitude, and a sense of humor both funny and harsh- you know, the kind that makes you point at his target and go "OOOOOOOOhhh!! Told YOU!"
I love learning new stuff, such as:
"Measles and small pox originated in cows, anthrax in wild sheep, tuberculosis in goats, whooping cough in pigs, and typhoid fever in chickens. Other diseases that humans picked up from animals include yellow fever, bubonic plague, influenza, and leprosy." This information came not long after I read "1491".

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You put your health at risk - that's your business. But animal-based diets put the land, the water, the air, a society's collective health, and even our collective pharmaceutical resources at risk. That's my business. That's everyone's business."

"Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? If so, you've got to factor in the effect your diet has on the world around you. It's nice if you recycle your plastic bottles, but in my book, there's no such thing as an environmentalist who, in his or her daily life, partakes of a diet dependent on the animal agriculture that so outrageously fouls our land, sea, and air."

"We can't allow ourselves to simply bemoan the media that have been bought and co-opted by special interests; we must harness the media for ourselves, and create whatever outlets we can. If we truly believe what we say about the damage to our collective health and our shared environment that results from the animal-based diet, then we have a positive duty to make our case in as dramatic as fashion as possible."

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's not a lot of book in this book. There's only 100 pages and then he goes into recipes. I wanted more argument!


The first section of the book deals with what happened with mad cow disease in the US. Since I have heard a lot about mad cow in Canada, I found this pretty interesting.


I am fascinated by animal diseases and zoonotic diseases that can leap from animal to human. Seriously, I could read about zoonotics all day, and find traceability systems to be fascinating. (Canada is in the process of tracing most of our meat through the system. It's interesting stuff, to me at leaset.)


Lyman then goes into the benefits of a diet that is low in or doesn't include animal products (vegetarian or vegan). He avoids many of the things that I disliked about "The China Study", but still manages to be a bit strident, even though I agree with most of his points. I definitely liked him more than the annoying dude who wrote The China Study and his dietary advice is much better.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit on the excessive, over expressive side but as a vegetarian it makes me feel better about my consuming choices. I really feel that until we stop slaying our animal friends we will never make peace with each other. The way you do anything is the way you do everything. The ancient Egyptians worshiped cattle as the symbol of love. I believe our current society needs to work harder on respect for other life forms.

[Allegra S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Mad Cow/BSE reading this book, and I'm so glad I don't eat beef anymore! If you're still eating beef this book will seriously scare you into not doing that. Really interesting to hear about how different governments have managed the BSE problem and how that's turned out very differently in different countries. Read this book and make sure you're aware of the risks of eating beef!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never have used any of the recipes in the second half of the book, but that isn't necessarily why I bought it - the informative chapters at the beginning are the most helpful parts of the book. For example: That (cow's) milk is actually not the best thing for your bones??!? It's got some students talking...!

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this is a bit better than his first book, it's really just a rehash. He really makes you think about the safety and health factors of eating meat, but he'd gain more converts if he softened his presentation. Seemed strident, argumentative and condescending at times. I like the recipes that are included (although they make for a really SHORT book).

[Christa Cordova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about how animal industries (beef, poultry, dairy) are effecting our health. The author is a former cattle rancher and he speaks plainly, without sounding preachy, which makes this book stand out from many of the others on this topic. As a bonus, the recipes in this book are FABULOUS and pretty easy to make.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had intended to purchase 'Mad Cowboy' and grabbed this by accident. It was pretty good, but a large chunk of the book is occupied by recipes. Like many vegan writers I find Mr Lyman a little hyperbolic, but if you can put that to the side he has some very good things to say. I still intend to get and read Mad Cowboy as I'm interested in the details of his transformative attitudes.

[Kartik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book -- with essentially an update to the older "The Mad Cowboy" by Howard Lyman.. this one just gets better with updated stats and info on the food industry.. don't read if you don't want to change your diet.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is mostly recipes instead of his insights into the beef industry. His first book was better.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a pretty scary account of the American food safety system. It inspired me to significantly cut back on my meat eating and experiment with a more vegetarian lifestyle.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met Howard Lyman Saturday and bought this book. Was done reading it the next day. 100 vegan recipes, facts and wit that you shouldn't pass on... more determined than ever now.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It's your typical anti-meat book. I didn't discover anything new.

[Leonora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking book especially considering that this book was written by a fourth generation cattle rancher.

[Leslie Oldfather · Rating 5 out of 5]

"liquid meat" is his view on dairy products. That more than anything else stayed with me.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author doesn't have to argue...he knows what he's talking about. This book just re-enforces the reasons I am vegan. Loved all the great recipes in the book.

[Ernie Pomin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again-- DON'T EAT MEAT

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyman's language is certainly inflammatory, but he does offer some interesting food for thought. And the recipes look pretty good, I think I might try a couple.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really difficult to read but totally convincing of why a person should not eat meat products. Great recipes.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part without recipes is short, but effective in keeping me away from industrialized meat. I am glad I checked this out from the library, and even jotted down four of the recipes to try!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that this book was not a rehash of Mad Cowboy. It is worth reading and has just as many surprising facts and well-written anecdotes as Lyman's first book. Worth reading!

[Nichinungas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takeaway: The US has mad cow disease but is hiding it. Wild.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read stories of people who were involved in the industry and are brave enough to stand against the system. Becoming a vegetarian or even a vegan at the age of 50 might make no sense to many people, but this guy is honest and not psycotic. Well, maybe just a bit :)