A collection of informative, diverse, evocative, and inspiring essays from over 50 vegan activists, educators, artists, and changemakers on the whys and wherefores of the vegan diet and lifestyle.
Why should one go vegan? Is veganism the positive change the world needs? Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers is a comprehensive collection of compelling testimonials of how our food choices are deeply connected to the pressing challenges and issues of our time. Areas covered include: personal and global health; the devastation of animal agriculture to the environment; society’s collective loss of compassion and connection to our kindred animals; and the desire for a world of greater peace, harmony, and inclusivity. The book points to the need for a cultural and spiritual transformation in which we embrace the commonalities between all living beings as a source of positive change and healing.
Author and editor Joanne Kong has brought together the most inspiring and influential changemakers from around the world at the forefront of the vegan movement. They represent the great diversity of roles through which veganism has moved into the mainstream: activists, authors, speakers, athletes, entrepreneurs, community and event organizers, advocates for social and food justice, artists, filmmakers, medical and health professionals, environmental advocates, sanctuary owners, and more. The essays are organized into six sections: “Our Kindred Animals,” “Around the Globe,” “Activism,” “Body and Spirit,” “The Arts,” and “A New Future.”
Vegan Voices fills the needs of a wide range of readers, from those new to exploring the plant-based lifestyle to longtime vegans and advocates. Many essays are deeply personal reflections that attest to how veganism has the power to touch our lives on many levels. The book can be a source of continuing inspiration and motivation for those desiring to create a world of greater compassion and equality.
Essays include:
“Dogs for Dinner” by Laura Barlow
“The Harm of ‘Humane’” by Emily Moran Barwick
“Might Does Not Make Right” by Katina Czyczelis
“With Heart and Voice: Will Birds Sing or Will They Be Silent?” By Karen Davis, PhD
“Swimming Against Ignorance and Cruelty” by Mary Finelli
“Sanctuary: This Is What Matters” by Pete and Kit Jagoda
“A Birthday Surprise” by Ingrid Newkirk
“There Is No Other” by Rae Sikora
“What Kind of Person Am I?” by Jesse Tandler
“Understanding the Power of Compassion” by Elin Gundersen
“To a Nation of Animal Lovers” by Chris Hines
“Veganism in Japan: Present Challenges and Hopes for the Future” by Nadia McKechnie
“Vegan, Naturally” by Shankar Narayan
“Veganism: A Changing World” by Doreen Rothe
“The Israeli Food Revolution” by Ori Shavit
“Expedition of a Vegan to the Heart of the Amazon” by Marly Winckler
“Thirty Years of Radical Compassion” by Hope Bohanec
“How I Became a Voice for the Animals” by Shweta Borgaonkar
“My Parents ‘Forced’ Veganism on Me by Sarina Farb
“The Power of Isis” by Gwenna Hunter
“A Momentous Time to Be Living Through” by Sandra Isobel Kyle
“Stories of a ‘Bug Girl’” by Claudia Lifton
“Is This Something You Want to Support?” by James O’Toole
“Get Involved” by Curtis Vollmar
“A Journey to an Awakening of the Body, Mind, and Soul” by Nancy Arenas
“Making Nutrition Real” by T. Colin Campbell, PhD
“My Journey to Create a More Compassionate World” by Chatilla van Grinsven
“The Terrain” by Dr. Elisa Beth Haransky-Beck
“The Road to a Higher Self” by Giselle Mehta
“Veganism, Yoga, and Me” by Victoria Moran
“Awakening to Compassion across the Decades” by Nancy Poznak
“We Are Deeply Interconnected” by Dr. Rupa Shah
“Adventures in Myth-Busting” by Janice Stanger, PhD
“Not Your Typical Vegan” by Derek Tresize
“Vegan” by Larry Weiss
“An Evolving Voice” by Jeff Adams
“The Invisible Line” by Allison Argo
“Vegangelism and the Gospel of Spiritual Alignment by Thomas Wade Jackson
“The Rise of Animal Photojournalism” by Jo-Anne McArthur
“Artivism for the Animals” by Ryan A. Phillips
“Reflections on Music, Animal Rights, and Human Rights” by Farah Siraj
“Zen and the Art of Vegan Living” by Dr. Will Tuttle
“In a Post-Meat Economy, People, Not Corporations, Thrive” by Gene Baur
“Evolutions and Revolutions in Caregiving” by Rebecca Moore
“Humane Investing: Creating a Better World” by Brenda A. Morris
“Tools for a New World” by Abhay Rangan
“Imagineering a Vegan World by 2026!” by Dr. Sailesh Rao
“Purposefully Dreaming of a Vegan Future” by Stephanie Redcross West
“The Hearts of Nations” by Clifton Roberts
“Beyond Joy” by Lin Silvan
“Positive Activism for Lifelong Change” by Krissi Vandenberg
“Vegan Voices brings you the thoughts and experiences of the visionaries who have built this powerful movement. From ethics and activism to aesthetics and economics, it looks at all sides, charting an optimistic way forward for humans and for all the other animals with whom we share the planet.”—Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC
“As a vegan for forty-seven years, I appreciate Vegan Voices as a delightful and well-rounded holistic approach to Veganism as a way of life as well as eating. I fully recommend this book to all levels of vegan readers. It points to Veganism as a way to sanctify our eating. In each generation, we are given the medicine for healing that generation. Veganism is the medicine for healing this generation and also future generations. Vegan Voices gives a wonderful understanding of the vegan approach and understanding of life.”—Rabbi Gabriel Cousens, MD, MD(H)
“There are as many reasons to be vegan as there are vegans, as this lovely anthology makes clear. So many of my heroes in one place—what a treat. Read it and be inspired.”—Bruce Friedrich, Co-founder & Executive Director, The Good Food Institute
“If we are to have any hope of healing our damaged planet, it is clear that we must first rethink our relationship with animals. As Vegan Voices eloquently describes, for too long we’ve regarded the sentient beings with whom we share the world as mere things—commodities to be used for food, clothing, research, and entertainment. This is an important book that will serve as a call to action for every consumer to seriously consider the consequences of their dietary choices. Vegan Voices demonstrates that being vegan truly is a matter of life and death, and each one of us can make a difference.”—Mark Hawthorne, author of A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Kindness Toward All
“Reading Vegan Voices, I found it fascinating to discover how others became enlightened, whether through their own observation, being taught by others, or through our subconscious with our “mirror neurons” allowing empathy to not judge and misjudge other species. The variety of backgrounds presented here illustrates how we all can come together regardless of where we start. From philosophy professors to bodybuilders, it works for all! A ‘Must Read!’”—Ruth E. Heidrich, PhD, author of A Race for Life and Senior Fitness
“Vegan Voices is a wonderful testament to the inspiring individuals around the world who are part of a growing paradigm shift towards more compassionate living.”—Sebastian Joy, Founding President of ProVeg International
“This inspiring collection of essays presents the plight of animals and the activism in many forms meant to redeem our species by following an approach of live and let live. The volume seeks all attention from the ideal reader who with open heart and mind listens to the reasonable and passionate narrative experience of writers trying to convey the songs, the cries, and interests of our fellow animal friends from all different species.”—Anita Krajnc, Founder, Animal Save Movement
“The beauty of this book is the self-realization that we ALL are inspiring changemakers!”—Keegan Kuhn, Co-director of What The Health and Cowspiracy
“Would you like to be radiant and vibrantly healthy? Do you want to experience vitality and joy throughout all your years? Would it matter to you if the most important steps you can take towards a long and healthy life, also brought more compassion into the world, and also helped preserve our endangered ecosystems? That may sound fanciful, like it’s too good to be true. But it isn’t. It’s the literal truth, as the essays in this book will show you with crystal clarity.”—John Robbins, best-selling author, and President of Food Revolution Network
“Animals have voices, but humans don’t speak their languages—so vegan voices speak for them. And this book allows everyone to tune in.” —Ingrid Newkirk, President and Founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
“A beautifully inspiring and informative read for everyone who cares about animals. Dr. Joanne Kong has compiled an invaluable resource with unique experiences and wisdom from advocates across the globe, tapping into a broad range of topics. This just may be the inspiration that will spark your life’s passion and ignite your sense of purpose in changing the world for the better.”—Jen Riley, Director of Operations at Our Hen House
“Being vegan goes beyond what is at the end of your fork. As the accomplished authors of these inspiring essays illuminate, it also encompasses health, spirituality, environmentalism, compassion, kindness, and activism, coupled with a vital sense of unity, purpose, and consistency.”—Jo Stepaniak, MSEd, author of numerous groundbreaking books on vegan cuisine, health, and compassionate living
“This book offers inspiring insights into how animal activists became who they are. Discerning the most successful strategies for their vegan advocacy, the individuals in this book show that through a redirection of our personal and professional lives, we can create a world that works for all beings!”—Veda Stram, All-Creatures.org
