72 Reasons to Be Vegan: Why Plant-Based. Why Now.

by Gene Stone, Kathy Freston

  Better sex, glowing skin, and more money…by going vegan
 
Did you know that if you adopt a vegan diet you can enjoy better sex? Save money? Have glowing skin? You can ward off Alzheimer’s, Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other metabolic diseases. You can eat delicious burgers. Help save the planet. Join the cool kids, like Gandhi, Tolstoy, Leonardo—and Kyrie Irving, Kat Von D, and Joaquin Phoenix. Oh, and did we mention have better sex? (It’s about blood flow.)

Those are just some of the 72 reasons we should all be vegan, as compiled and persuasively argued by Gene Stone and Kathy Freston, two of the leading voices in the ever-growing movement to eat a plant-based diet. While plenty of books tell you how to go vegan,  72 Reasons to Be Vegan  is the book that tells you why. And it does so in a way that emphasizes not what you’d be giving up, but what you’d be gaining.
 
"Bestselling vegan activist Kathy Freston and the movement’s best chronicler, Gene Stone, team up to give us 72 reasons to go plant based (and better sex is just one of them!) A must-read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet, their own health, or the moral ramifications of meat-eating.”
—Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and author of The Blue Zones

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Vegan, Food, Nutrition, Activism, Vegetarian

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

A graduate of Stanford and Harvard, Gene Stone is a former Peace Corps volunteer, journalist, and book, magazine, and newspaper editor. He has also written, co-written, or ghost-written forty-five non-fiction books, including a dozen New York Times bestsellers, as well as a novel, The Awareness. His website is www.genestone.com.

Reviews

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, if you are already a vegan, you probably know and understand all the information in this book! However, it is in a nice comprehensive format and it’s nice to have it all in one place to go to if you have a questions!

I love the sentence in the description about how the book shows you not what you’d be giving up, but what you’d be gaining by going vegan. I feel like this book has done just that!! I believe people that have been thinking about going vegan could be persuaded by all of the why's explained in the research provided in the book!!

I would recommend this to anyone just starting out with the vegan lifestyle!

Thank you NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

#NetGalley #72ReasonstoBeVegan

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could easily go vegan and whenever I read helpful guides like this, I find myself wanting to eat more nuts, veggies and non-meat meals.

72 REASONS TO BE VEGAN convinced me that our bodies, minds and emotions can benefit when we choose this healthy lifestyle.

A vegan diet can keep Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and rheumatoid arthritis at bay. Boost sex through better blood flow. Clear up skin. Cost less. And so much more.

It can even lead to a healthier planet, say co-authors Gene Stone and Kathy Freston, leaders in the plant-based-diet movement.

Easy to read and beautiful illustrated, 72 REASONS TO BE VEGAN is highly recommended for avid veg heads and vegan wannabes like me!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 15 Dec 2020

Thanks to the authors, Workman Publishing Company, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#72ReasonstoBeVegan #NetGalley

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but interesting book on why one should be vegan. It goes through 72 reasons for it, but some of them are actually quite similar. Nothing very surprising here, but I enjoyed reading it just the same. The writing style is quite entertaining, even though the subject matter is serious.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive, inspirational, non judgemental, readable little book with 72 super informative and valuable reasons to go vegan. I can't quit eggs (we have our own chickens) but that's okay!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents so many strong arguments for being a vegan. I like that it takes the time to explain the health, financial, and environmental benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
Many thanks to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book makes a great present to torture your not-vegan friends. I like the idea behind it and that it is based on good sources. But I prefer to read the sources, not the less scientific summary of them. I think the headings were weird sometimes and I didn’t like the overall design. This could look way better wit more pictures or graphs and charts. The reasons may be true, but the way how they are delivered are quite suboptimal.

Thanks to Workman Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tove R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name already says it - 72 reasons - that I, a vegan, would know most of what will be in this book. It is still good to have it all in one book, backed up with fact, figures and research, in an easily readable form. I am not usually a fan of a book written in a list form, but this time it works. Even though I knew pretty much everything from before, it’ll be good to have this book handy for backup when needed. No need to Google this and that when I can look up facts in this book, which is brilliant!

I think this book works best for vegetarians, vegancurious, and open-minded omnivores. The book is not preachy, in fact the authors encourages people to move slowly, take small steps, think about what they consume, and make changes. It is pretty much only about food, not veganism and ethics in general, but about what we eat, and how it affects our bodies and minds. Well worth a read!

[Sammi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

This book provides a brief overview about most of the talking points for vegan/vegetarianism - most other books/documentaries more or less pick one point & dive deep so it was nice to see a range of topics.

I love that we start out with the “you’re not a baby cow” chat & next hit bio accumulation, Those are my go to talking points.

Now I’ve read a million of these vegan/vegetarian books so there’s nothing here that I haven’t heard before but I don’t think I’m the target audience - a meat eater is right....

So with that perspective I think it came off a little harsh & unclear. There are better ways to ease people into understanding & warming to this “world” or mind-view.

Also I don’t like when authors try to be cool and relatable - it’s kind of cringy. Instead show me the facts & be gentle with people. This vegan lifestyle doesn’t have to be a scary black & white concept it is and can be a spectrum.

BUT maybe I’m too far in this bubble & people outside of it WILL be shocked and WILL appreciate it!

*I received an arc in exchange for my honest review*.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're curious about adopting a vegan diet, 72 REASONS TO BE VEGAN would be a fantastic read. This book is chock full of facts and reasons to leave animal food of your plate. The authors also do a good job at presenting veganism as the next logical step if you care about the environment, your health, and animals. And they do it without being judgemental!

For a book filled with scientific claims, I liked how easy it was to read. The information is presented in a casual, friendly way. A lot of time went into researching this book. The last pages are filled with footnotes.

For those who have been vegan for some time, there's still a lot of good information in this book. I could see buying this book just to have all those facts and figures at your fingertips!

Thank you for the chance to review this book Netgalley & Workman Publishing!

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a vegan I was pleased to receive this book for review. Thank you to both the publisher and to Net Galley.

I found this a exceptionally well done short read that is great for anyone that is considering plant based vegan eating. As a long time vegan I was pleased the author included the many ethical reasons here as well as the environmental reasons. This is a great book to give to friends that are not enlightened and still eating meat . The format is easily understandable to any reader and it is a sensible guide to going vegan. Very well done to the author.

[Frederique · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read, but very complete list of the many reasons to stop eating animals and to try to live as plant based as possible. I especially love that there are a few chapters about the negative impact of fishing/eating fish, as this is often overlooked. I hope this book will inspire many more people!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the succinct chapters. Easy to read, easy to understand, full of information. I learned quite a bit and feel even more confident with the choice I made for myself several years ago. I've honestly never felt better.

"Soy is protective against breast cancer (and won't give guys man boobs)."

"The single best supplement you can take every day to live longer is a cup of beans."

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Superstition. Vague correlations. And a lot of hope people would join his church.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good handbook explaining concepts and easy to digest : )

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(On Spotify)

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to stop eating meat at around 11 or 12 and never met another veg*n until I was an adult. Things are so much easier now! So, this book is preaching to the choir here. Still, never bad to reinforce decisions made. I think this would be a good fit for someone considering making this dietary change. While I don't agree with everything in these pages and it gets a bit repetitive at times (as though they came up with the number of reasons then tried to stretch to meet that), this book is still has a lot of thought provoking ideas for anyone on the fence.

Thanks to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick little read about 72 reasons to go vegan ranging from health and dietary reasons to the ethical, moral and environmental reasons. I for one have never had an issue with my fruits and veggies or eating more plant based fiber like beans, but I do love my bacon and pepperoni. I see friends and acquaintances that have cows, goats, chickens and pigs as pets because they live in a place where they can do so, and I look at these animals and think, they deserve the same love and affection as a house rabbit, a dog or cat.

I would go vegetarian and just eat fish for the ethical and moral reasons, also to cut down on the carbon foot print. This book makes you question why you are eating meat and it is not preachy. This is definitely a re-read and a book to own. Highly recommended to people who are thinking of going more plant based and want a healthier lifestyle.

Thanks to NEtgalley, Gene Stone and Workman Publishing Company for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 12/15/20

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not a vegan anymore, 72 Reasons to be Vegan was a quick and easy introduction to some of the research behind veganism. It covered everything from climate change to some of the health benefits. The best part of this book was that it wasn't judgemental and preachy. Often this can be the case in vegan literature so I was pleased with that. If you want to explore the subject, this is a great first start.

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

[Alfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is for someone who is going to be vegan. I guess if you are vegan, you are already aware of any of the topics here. I'm flexitarian, I'm very aware of the spoken topics. I guess for me this is nothing new.

However, this book is well written. The subtitles are provocating. And every chapter is a recap, so it is a quick read. I think meat-eaters out there, should educate themselves with this kind of book. Because knowledge is important, why we choose not to consume dairy or meat.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This only falters where it tries to come off as cutesy or snarky, but otherwise it is full of great information that may actually help convince someone who is curious. Parts of this [descriptions of what happens to the animals] were hard to stomach, even as a vegan who already knows these things and doesn't contribute to this. I don't know how one would leave this information out or soften it, however. It's shocking and disgusting to read because what happens to these animals IS shocking and disgusting.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little book to have out for reading a couple of reasons at a time to give you 72 more reasons to be plant-based.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. I am a longtime plant based eater (almost 9 years), so there was nothing especially new for me in reading this beyond updated statistics and science. I think this book is an excellent start for someone who is just beginning a plant based journey, and adequately covers the main reasons someone might choose to go plant based: health, the environment & compassion for animals.

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent informational guide for anyone wondering about why people chose vegan lifestyles. I already had some ideas, and lean towards a high plant-low animal flexitarian diet, but I am convinced to make other changes now to increase plants and lower animals even more in my diet.
Of all the books out there about dietary lifestyles, this is the best one I have found presenting the benefits of vegan eating.

[Mary Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed reading this book, and I would recommend anyone who isn’t already eating a vegan diet to do so. It gives you all the researched information about not only the health benefits but also how this diet is better for our environment. There is also helpful information about food handling and some recipes., and suggestions for going veganish. All of this is written in an easy to understand and read format.

[Kelly Mattarelliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Must Read For All of Humanity!

I thoroughly enjoyed both the content and voice this book was written in. A total eye opener that gave me the exact motivation I needed for an essential lifestyle change that is kind to all creatures. I’m so grateful that this book was written and I hope to share it with many others encouraging them to pursue a beautiful life vegan style :)

[Catherine Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a vegan, I'm completely behind this book and I enjoy the comprehensive and science based list of reasons why to follow this life style. However, the tone of this book is very "guilt trippy" and I would not recommend giving this book to someone who is resistant to this lifestyle, it might make them dig in their heels more. Give it to someone who is truly open and would just like to know the facts.

[Rather.be.reading1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This was a wonderful comprehensive book on why you should be vegan. I have been very into sustainability lately and this was exactly what I needed to read right now!

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great corraling of the virtues of the vegan diet. Any alternative would seem to fade into relative oblivion, so virtuous this diet is presented as being. There's really very little to argue about...just great common sense.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with quick hits to help prepare you for any question you might get on veganism. Send to a friend who had expressed interest in making a change. Leave on your coffee table or in the bathroom for someone to pick up.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent variety of reasons - a number many of likely heard before. A nice explanation/small essay on each. Good topics and points of starting a conversation,