Amazon.com
Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them? A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama forcefully puts to rest the misconception that the realms of science and spirituality are at odds. In this extraordinary book, Daniel Goleman presents dialogues between the Dalai Lama and a small group of eminent psychologists, neuroscientists, and philosophers that probe the challenging questions: Can the worlds of science and philosophy work together to recognize destructive emotions such as hatred, craving, and delusion? If so, can they transform those feelings for the ultimate improvement of humanity? As the Dalai Lama explains, "With the ever-growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play in reminding us of our humanity."
The book's subject marks the eighth round in a series of ongoing meetings of the Mind Life Institute. The varied perspectives of science, philosophy, and Eastern and Western thought beautifully illustrate the symbiosis among the views, which are readily accessible despite their complexity. Among the book's many strengths is its organization, which allows readers to enjoy the entire five-day seminar or choose sections that are most relevant to their interests, such as "Cultivating Emotional Balance," "The Neuroscience of Emotion," "Encouraging Compassion," or "The Scientific Study of Consciousness." But the real joy is in gaining an insider's view of these extraordinary minds at work, especially that of the Dalai Lama, whose curiosity, Socratic questioning, and humor ultimately serve as the linchpin for the book's soaring intellectual discussion. --Silvana Tropea
Book Description
*Why do seemingly rational, intelligent people commit acts of cruelty and violence?
*What are the root causes of destructive behavior?
*How can we control the emotions that drive these impulses?
*Can we learn to live at peace with ourselves and others?
Imagine sitting with the Dalai Lama in his private meeting room with a small group of world-class scientists and philosophers. The talk is lively and fascinating as these leading minds grapple with age-old questions of compelling contemporary urgency. Daniel Goleman, the internationally bestselling author of
Emotional Intelligence, provides the illuminating commentary—and reports on the breakthrough research this historic gathering inspired.
Destructive Emotions
Buddhist philosophy tells us that all personal unhappiness and interpersonal conflict lie in the “three poisons”: craving, anger, and delusion. It also provides antidotes of astonishing psychological sophistication--which are now being confirmed by modern neuroscience. With new high-tech devices, scientists can peer inside the brain centers that calm the inner storms of rage and fear. They also can demonstrate that awareness-training strategies such as meditation strengthen emotional stability—and greatly enhance our positive moods.
The distinguished panel members report these recent findings and debate an exhilarating range of other topics: What role do destructive emotions play in human evolution? Are they “hardwired” in our bodies? Are they universal, or does culture determine how we feel? How can we nurture the compassion that is also our birthright? We learn how practices that reduce negativity have also been shown to bolster the immune system. Here, too, is an enlightened proposal for a school-based program of social and emotional learning that can help our children increase self-awareness, manage their anger, and become more empathetic.
Throughout, these provocative ideas are brought to life by the play of personalities, by the Dalai Lama’s probing questions, and by his surprising sense of humor. Although there are no easy answers, the dialogues, which are part of a series sponsored by the Mind and Life Institute, chart an ultimately hopeful course. They are sure to spark discussion among educators, religious and political leaders, parents—and all people who seek peace for themselves and the world.
The Mind and Life Institute sponsors cross-cultural dialogues that bring together the Dalai Lama and other Buddhist scholars with Western scientists and philosophers. Mind and Life VIII, on which this book is based, took place in Dharamsala, India, in March 2000.
Customer Reviews:
compassion heals.......2007-07-26
This is a very clearly written summary of a remarkable conference explaining Western and Eastern (Buddhist) understandings of destructive emotions. Both the similarities and the differences elucidate. Most hopeful is the idea that we can alter our emotional balance through practical techniques that can reduce anger and increase compassion, for the good health of both individuals and society.
Interesting interdisciplinary discussion on negative emotions.......2007-04-16
An interesting cross disciplinary discussion of afflictive emotions and "negative mental states" between buddhists and scientists. Not a "how to" but a work that puts in perspective what is a negative state of mind.
Destructive Emotions.......2006-06-09
I thought this book might be more of a "how-to overcome" or "prevent" destructive emotions so I found the presentation to be a little disappointing. The format was an academic-type of discussion to prove the truths behind Buddism and it used a lot of scientific jargon.
Very important book.......2006-06-01
The only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because I did get an overall feeling of lack of cohesiveness. I suppose that this is a peril of the format, but nonetheless, I think that true cohesiveness could be reached in this format.
In any event, here's why I gave this book four stars: I'm a strong believer in certain books being particularly important in this stage in the evolution of our species. That is, for people who have reached a level of maturity, intelligence, and relative comfort which allows them to entertain notions like the fate of our species, I think that there are certain books that are invaluable tools. These books should shape our collective future to a strong degree. I think that this is one of these books.
The reason I think that this is one of these books is because it examines and suggests solutions to our current state of crisis that are both feasible and revolutionary. Notions like mindfulness and activities like meditation are increasingly powerful in their ability to make us into more mature human beings. I do strongly believe that at this stage in the evolution of our species, we need these types of solutions. And in addition, this book is not only valuable for those great minds that shape the future of many; it is also a valuable read for any individual that is open-minded enough.
Based on this book, I wouldn't stop with mere prescriptive formulae for 'secular' society either. I would further take Buddhist insights on interdependence and extrapolations of these insights and suggest that they could be prescriptive for society at large, as long as they don't come with the religious baggage. I don't consider myself a Buddhist, but I strongly believe in interdependence and all of its implications. It's interesting to me that some of the greatest Western scientific minds in research on emotions could be carried away by the notion of enlightenment during this conference.
I do hope that readers will realize that while the lofty talk can sometimes be intimidating, working through it will bring rewards both on the individual and collective level.
Interesting, but doesn't have the same impact as another format might.......2006-05-02
In general, I liked this book and found it useful. I thing it contains a lot of good concepts, but because of the dialogue format it is difficult to get one's arms around all the concepts. There are also some holes that are left unaddressed, again probably because of the format.
Given the above context, I think that there are many gems in this book and a lot of practical advice. Reading the dialogue between all these prominent people is thought provoking and challenges you to consider the underlying assumptions of your own emotional life.
There is a lot of good advice in this book about handling destructive emotions, but the scope is actually wider than that. I found it to be more of an exploration of the nature of emotion and how to live with emotions in a balanced way.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this approach to writing. There are a number of reviews that praise this book and others that shoot it down. I think the reality is somewhere in the middle.
The people engaged in the dialogue are great choices, but somehow when the book went to print I think the written form missed capturing the full spirit of what went on at the actual event. I wasn't there, but I get a sense that in the transfer from speaking to writing some important meanings didn't come across.
In spite of my feedback above, I wouldn't be discouraged from buying this book. It is unique and has a lot to say. My three star rating is merely an indication that I think the information could have been presented better and perhaps elaborated on in a way that brought the concepts more to life.
Average customer rating:
- Neuroscience meets Buddhism with fascinating results!
- Very helpful--relief from toxic emotions
- Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
- fascinating and practical
- fascinating and practical
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Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them?: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama
Daniel Goleman , and
The Dalai Lama
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Book Description
The bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence offers a front-row seat at a groundbreaking meeting between the Dalai Lama and some of the foremost scientists and philosophers in the world. Imagine sitting with the Dalai Lama in his private meeting room with a small group of world-class scientists and philosophers. The talk is lively and fascinating, as these leading minds grapple with age-old questions of compelling contemporary urgency: Why do seemingly rational people commit acts of cruelty and violence? What are the root causes of destructive behavior? Can we learn to control the emotions that drive these impulses?Organized by the Mind and Life Institute, this rich encounter of science and spirit, East and West, brings together cutting-edge research in neuroscience, education, and psychology with the most sophisticated Buddhist practices for transforming negative emotions. Goleman, as scientific coordinator and narrator, also reveals the personalities behind the debates as the participants develop ideas for further collaboration and research.
Customer Reviews:
Neuroscience meets Buddhism with fascinating results!.......2007-06-15
Destructive Emotions is a fascinating look at the human mind from the perspectives of both leading Western scientists and Buddhist scholars. Modern neuro-science and psychology meet Buddhism in a world wide scientific conference, with the goal of decreasing destructive emotions in the mind, and in society at large. The book gives interesting background information on the Dalai Lama's scientific life, which is fascinating and informative. The book provides an excellent and accessible overview of the very new discovery in neuroscience dubbed "plasticity of the brain" - the finding that neural connections in the brain are not fixed but rather changing throughout a lifetime. Buddhist meditation masters are examined with technological tools such as EKG's and MRI's. The results are truly astounding. It appears that meditation actually changes the structure of the brain, increasing neural connections and activity in the parts of the brain that experience happiness, contentment and positive emotions. This group of scholars sets out to examine how these practices could be applied to society at large to help mitigate the destructive emotions which plague humans on this planet. While the book starts of strong and extremely engaging, it does eventually devolve, much like the meeting it is describing, into a more disorganized group of questions and brainstorming that goes beyond the scope of one conference, or one book. By the second third of the book the more interesting ideas are rehashed to the point of redundancy and it is hard to hold interest. I have read this book in print form, and would recommend that over the audiobook. There is a lot of information useful to reference, which is hard to do in audiobook format without the aid of an index.
Very helpful--relief from toxic emotions.......2007-03-19
The Dalai Lama is a hero of mine, whom I hope to become more like, along with Mother Teresa and other humanitarians. He recognizes that destructive emotions are at the root of so much suffering. He and a group of psychologists and scientists met in a dialogue to discuss destructive emotions, their impact on our lives, and to question if they are necessary or if they can be eliminated to a significant degree. The Dalai Lama and Western scientists/psychologists spell out different types of destructive emotions according to the Buddhist and Western perspectives. There's a lot of overlap between the two perspectives, yet Buddhism categorizes destructive emotions into three main categories: hatred, delusion, and craving; other toxic emotions are dervivatives of these three.
The scientists ask: are destructive emotions the trade-off in our evolutionary history? Or can we bypass them? The Dalai Lama and the scientists were delighted to discover the brain's plasticity: new neural pathways can be formed throughout the course of a person's life. Even hardened criminals can improve with intervention and empathy training. (I remember watching a special on TV where inmates were responsible for taking care of cats. I was surprised and delighted to learn that these men grew to love these animals and took pride in caring for them.)
The Dalai Lama talks about the antidotes to toxic emotions and spells out ways we can nurture them. For example, compassion is the obvious antidote to hatred and anger. He talks about the important bond between a mother and child and other close family members. We can practice feeling similar compassion towards non-relations and love them as though they were a close family member.
The Dalai Lama and scientists discuss the very important difference between hating what a person did and hating the actual person. We can hate a person's mistakes, especially if they are far-reaching, but it is better to abstain from hating the actual person. Although I hate what Hitler did and how deluded he was, I can feel compassion for the fact that he was an abused child whose parents were related (his mother was his father's niece--it would be hard to be normal and well-adjusted under those circumstances). Also, he was on some serious, mind-altering steroids that would have made even Mother Teresa somewhat aggressive and irritable. These circumstances don't excuse the man's cruelty and delusions, but it does help put his far-reaching mistakes into a more compassionate context. He could not have been more wrong, yet it is better to hate what he did and his mindset than to hate the man himself. Also, it's pretty obvious from a psychological standpoint that all the anti-semitic (anti-slavic, anti-gypsy, etc.) things he said had nothing to do with the Eurpean Jewish people and his other targets and had everything to do with how badly Hitler felt about himself. He was picking on easy scapegoats/targets to deflect his own self-hatred. Anyrate, enough about one of history's most misguided persons. But the Dalai Lama does help us to see the important difference between hating someone's mistakes versus hating the person.
The Dalai Lama wants everyone to have the tools to overhaul destructive emotions, but he especially feels that school age children need guidance from well-trained teachers. Some of the scientists wrongfully assumed that teacher's training programs don't include courses in child psychology, particularly socioemotional development. This is the point where I wanted to say teachers take lots of classes in child development, from cognitive, physical, to emotional development. Teachers also take classes in classroom management where they are taught to "sandwich" criticism. That is, a teacher will point out something specific that a child is doing well, tactfully suggest an area that needs to be improved, and then say another positive thing that the child is doing. Teachers also are encouraged to make it sound like the area of weakness is well within the child's ability to correct. Love & Logic is a classroom management technique that really involves diplomacy and consideration for the child's feelings (Jim Fay is the creator of Love & Logic).
Of course, teachers can always improve and do things better---but I think these scientists should have checked their facts b/f making blanket statements about teacher's training programs. But I do agree that schools can help foster empathy and emotional skills in school age children.
Overall, I found this to be an enlightening dialogue, initiated and led by a great guru of compassion, the Dalai Lama.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.......2005-08-24
I am primarily an aural learner. Listening to this book on CD was a delight. The last two cd's were phenomenal. I had read them but listening to them was like hearing them for the first time.
I read this book when if first came out and enjoyed it tremendously. The first part of the book is a description of the way the research was conducted. If you are not familiar with Buddhism or the Psychological community and they way studies are conducted it will be of interest to you.
I trust Buddhism and the Dalai Lama so I skimmed this part in the book. Listening to it was interesting and I was struck with the great effort to conduct it in a manner that the results would be acceptable to a wide a group of people as possible.
Going by the title you might think that it is mostly a treatise on anger and the danger etc. of anger. It did have to do with anger but there was much more to it. The whole range of negative emotions and the havoc they wreak in our lives is examined, from a scientific viewpoint. From this viewpoint a whole range of finger-pointing is escaped and the explanation renders you able to get past the guilt of having these emotions and to the place where you can do something about them.
I loved listening to this. I would recommend it for anyone scientific bent or not. It was an awesome set.
fascinating and practical.......2003-07-12
I've never written a review before; but when I saw that nobody else had commented on this audio book (the four cd set), I wanted to enter an emphatic endorsement of it. I have read many books on psychology, religion and emotions. This book integrates all of them. I was originally interested the influence of meditation on controlling stress and negative emotions. That information is here and it is very compelling. (Consequently, I have also ordered many meditation and guided imagery tapes as well). But there is so much more in this book... so much interesting information, it's hard to even know where to start. I will try to give a couple of examples.
For one, the panel of scientists had enlisted the help of a buddhist monk, who had meditated for years, in some of their experiments in emotional reactions. They have one study where they take an individual and measure their reaction to a very loud, startling noise. In 35 years of doing this experiment, everyone had measured some response in terms of the movement of their facial muscles. I believe they said the group who showed the least "startle" reflex was body guards who had worked for the white house... until they tested this monk. He apparently did not register any reaction similar to previous experiments. He said he was able to hear the loud noise as if it were a bird flying across the sky.
The objective of these various experiments was to see if there was a link between some of the practices of Buddhism on controlling some of the negative emotions that people experience. This also sparked an interest in learning more about the Buddhist philosophy (though I'm a Christian, I believe many of the principles are the same). The Buddhists emphasize compassion - for self and others; and they also practice loving kindness, and mindfulness, which (based on my recent understanding) is to pay close attention to all aspects of life. In their meditations, they sometimes focus on breath, sometimes on putting yourself in the place of others (to instill compassion) and just in general, noticing the emotional and physical states of your body - where there is stress, etc.
Another interesting fact they gave was that after suffering a trauma, children from a Buddhist culture are able to have a significantly quicker "recovery time" than children of any other culture, indicating that the cultivation of this gentle view of the world creates more adaptability and understanding.
Finally, they gave some examples of how certain members of the scientific panel had developed programs for school children - to help them better control emotions. They also give a lot of information on the brain and what changes occur under stress and other conditions, and what effect this can have on emotion.
I may not be able to do the material justice, but my impression every time I listen to it is that it is the most fascinating book I've ever read (or heard). I have gone back to listen to several passages more than once, and I'm sure I will listen to the whole thing again too. The information is too valuable to skim over. But it is presented in a way that is easy to follow.
There is so much practical advice to be gained. It also seems like there were genuinely altruistic motives for pursuing these questions, in part based on the tragic world events in recent years. You get the sense that these scientists are hoping to make the world a better place. That also seems to be the goal of Buddhism, in addition to living in a more peaceful state of being in one's own life. The conversations with the Dalai Lama are also impressive.
fascinating and practical.......2003-07-12
I've never written a review before; but when I saw that nobody else had commented on this audio book (the four cd set), I wanted to enter an emphatic endorsement of it. I have read many books on psychology, religion and emotions. This book integrates all of them. I was originally interested the influence of meditation on controlling stress and negative emotions. That information is here and it is very compelling. (Consequently, I have also ordered many meditation and guided imagery tapes as well). But there is so much more in this book... so much interesting information, it's hard to even know where to start. I will try to give a couple of examples.
For one, the panel of scientists had enlisted the help of a buddhist monk, who had meditated for years, in some of their experiments in emotional reactions. They have one study where they take an individual and measure their reaction to a very loud, startling noise. In 35 years of doing this experiment, everyone had measured some response in terms of the movement of their facial muscles. I believe they said the group who showed the least "startle" reflex was body guards who had worked for the white house... until they tested this monk. He apparently did not register any reaction similar to previous experiments. He said he was able to hear the loud noise as if it were a bird flying across the sky.
The objective of these various experiments was to see if there was a link between some of the practices of Buddhism on controlling some of the negative emotions that people experience. This also sparked an interest in learning more about the Buddhist philosophy (though I'm a Christian, I believe many of the principles are the same). The Buddhists emphasize compassion - for self and others; and they also practice loving kindness, and mindfulness, which (based on my recent understanding) is to pay close attention to all aspects of life. In their meditations, they sometimes focus on breath, sometimes on putting yourself in the place of others (to instill compassion) and just in general, noticing the emotional and physical states of your body - where there is stress, etc.
Another interesting fact they gave was that after suffering a trauma, children from a Buddhist culture are able to have a significantly quicker "recovery time" than children of any other culture, indicating that the cultivation of this gentle view of the world creates more adaptability and understanding.
Finally, they gave some examples of how certain members of the scientific panel had developed programs for school children - to help them better control emotions. They also give a lot of information on the brain and what changes occur under stress and other conditions, and what effect this can have on emotion.
I may not be able to do the material justice, but my impression every time I listen to it is that it is the most fascinating book I've ever read (or heard). I have gone back to listen to several passages more than once, and I'm sure I will listen to the whole thing again too. The information is too valuable to skim over. But it is presented in a way that is easy to follow.
There is so much practical advice to be gained. It also seems like there were genuinely altruistic motives for pursuing these questions, in part based on the tragic world events in recent years. You get the sense that these scientists are hoping to make the world a better place. That also seems to be the goal of Buddhism, in addition to living in a more peaceful state of being in one's own life. The conversations with the Dalai Lama are also impressive.
Book Description
Now in paperback, Linda McCartneys World of Vegetarian Cooking presents international menus that follow in the healthful and delicious tradition of the bestseller Lindas Kitchen. Linda McCartneys World of Vegetarian Cooking uncovers the pleasure of eating fresh vegetables and other meat-free foods beautifully cooked and imaginatively prepared with the herbs and spices of countries around the world. From Green Jade Soup from China to Asparagus and Herb Risotto from Provence, the 260 recipes include distinctive ingredients from Europe, Mexico, Asia, India, and North America. Each recipe is personalized by Lindas comments and accompanied by wonderful photos. This is a cookbook that will provide incredible variety for the vegetarian cook as well as refreshing new options for anyone who wants a healthy and tasty meal. Linda McCartney on Tour, the hardcover version of Linda McCartneys World of Vegetarian Cooking, was a nominee for the 1999 Jacobs Creek World Food Media Award in the category for the best hardcover recipe book. Linda McCartney was famously committed to vegetarianism, a cause that her family continues to support publicly.
Customer Reviews:
Delicious!.......2005-03-08
My mom gave me this book for Christmas and I have to say that it is wonderful! The recipes are perfect and need no alterations! This hardbound book is also a very beautiful, with lovely photos and easy to follow recipes. It would make a great gift.
An Essential and Fun Tool for Vegetarians.......2004-03-31
When I decided to branch out from Betty Crocker and more basic cookbooks, Linda McCartney's WORLD OF VEGETARIAN COOKING was the first cookbook I bought. I honestly feel that it has heightened my appreciation for food and my disdain for vegetarian cookbooks that lack in imagination. Simply put, American cooking leaves little room for those who can't or won't eat beef, pork, poultry, and even seafood; therefore, American vegetarian cookbooks tend to offer the same fritattas, quiches, and portabellos. Linda McCartney, during her travels around the world with Wings, put together a fantastic collection of what the world can offer vegetarians. So throw out the bland books, veggies, and get excited.
Recipes to try first: One-Pot Mushroom Risotto, Milanese Risotto, Fontina and Tomato Pie (I made this in bulk for a big party once and never got to eat any of it, it was gone so fast, but I hear it was scrumptious), Coconut Rice Pudding (another party favorite), Sweet and Sour Tofu, Pasta Genovese (the main dish for my very first dinner party), Rhubarb Fool, Avocado Hummus (possibly the best taste I have ever come across), Honey Pudding, and Vegetable Kichdi.
This book is fantastic for: Entertaining, cooks ready to move out of the Beginner category, cooking for one or two people, special or every day dinners.
This book's weak spots are: Desserts - the Mississippi Mud Pie and the Lemon Sponge Cake did not turn out well. For the cake, I traced it back to omissions and errors within the recipe itself. Also, the desserts are a little less creative than the rest of the book.
This book's suprisingly useful spots are: Sauces and Sundries. I cannot emphasize enough - the Avocado Hummus is amazing.
I have given this book to so many grateful vegetarians, that "Leave it to Linda" has become our motto.
Unique Recipes for the Time Challenged.......2001-05-16
When Linda McCartney's newest cookbook, World of Vegetarian Cooking, arrived in the mail at my house, I opened the package and took a deep breath. I have bookshelves lined with many really great vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, all with beautiful photos to go along with the recipes, and wonderful ideas for meal planning. But these cookbooks get taken off of the shelf only when it is time to dust, for two main reasons. The first is that most of the recipes have ingredients that I have either never heard of or I can't find in my local grocery store or even health food market. The second reason is that many of the recipes take a long time to prepare. I always think, while perusing these cookbooks in the bookstore, that I will just make the time somehow so that my family will enjoy these vegetarian delicacies. It never happens. As a busy mom, there are times in my day when I have to pause and think, "Have I eaten today?" I need quick recipes with readily available ingredients. Linda McCartney's book is chock full of both. The introduction presents vegetarianism in a way I had never considered before. Linda writes that it is anticipated that at the present rate, if people continue to convert from meat-eaters to vegetarians, by 2050 we will all be vegetarians. Also a lifetime of vegetarian eating, which I hope my son will have, results in saving 760 chickens, 5 cows, 20 pigs, 29 sheep, 46 turkeys, 7 rabbits, and over half a ton of fish. The cookbook has a whole section on nutrition, food groups, and topics such as the vegetarian pantry and alternatives to dairy products. Each recipe comes with a preparation time, so I can plan ahead and decide if I have the amount of time to make a particular entree. There is also a section of the book entitled, "Quick and Easy Meals," which is, of course, the part of the cookbook that I turned to right away! The photos of these recipes looked just as pleasing as the ones in the other sections of the book, but the preparation times for these meals were more reasonable, given my time constraints. Each recipe throughout the book also indicates which country it came from and some even have notes from Linda telling the circumstances around which she first tried the recipe. Sometimes her daughters introduced her to them, other times she ate them at friend's homes. The book ends with menu planners for such celebrations as children's parties, Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as a midsummer eve's picnic. My family is particularly fond of the festive loaf that is a sort of vegetarian meat loaf made out of veggie burgers. I have served it to non-vegetarians who liked it so much that they requested the recipe! My husband and son prefer the loaf cold and eat it for leftovers in a sandwich. The baked portobello mushrooms were a great main course served with a side of rice and steamed veggies. I love portobellos but cook them the same way every time. The recipe in Linda McCartney's cookbook was quite different from the way I typically make them; the flavors were unique. Linda also has lots of great creative salad dishes that go beyond the mixed green or mesclun type. My family likes her warm zucchini salad, which is simple to make. I nearly always have the ingredients for this dish in my house. Great finger food recipes for kids include crispy vegetable won tons, oven fries, and unique ideas for homemade pizza. There is a dessert section in the cookbook as well. Linda McCartney has left behind quite a legacy. Making her favorite foods made me feel like I was being invited into an intimate part of her life, enjoying meals that she once shared with family and friends. Linda has left all of us with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy vegetarian food from around the world. She does it in a way that requires limited effort and time. Although she is gone, her music, her animal activism, and her way of living remain with us in different forms even today. Through her recipes, the work she did in promoting the merits of a vegetarian diet continue to inspire even those of us who feel at times challenged in a culinary sense! -Reviewed by Carol Laliberte
Amazon.com
Linda McCartney, wife of Beatle Paul McCartney, was a passionate vegetarian. Shortly before she died, she left a legacy with this beautiful book of 200 meat-free recipes from all over the world. Linda McCartney on Tour is illustrated with stunning photographs guaranteed to start you salivating--the tastes, colors, and textures leap off the page. You can almost taste the Crispy Vegetable Wontons (China), Asparagus Crepes (France), Minted Pea and Spinach Soup (U.K.), Vegetable Kichdi (India), Warm Chocolate Souffle with Bittersweet Sauce (France), and Fragrant Coconut Rice (Thailand). If you like pizza, choose from recipes of the U.K., U.S., Thailand, or Greece, or invent your own pizza with a page of creative topping selections. Although many of the dishes sound esoteric, the ingredients won't send you searching in ethnic stores--you can find most in your supermarket, though you will need to frequent a natural-foods market for a few, such as organic eggs and vegetarian sausages. The recipes have no nutritional information, unfortunately--you know you're getting plenty of vitamins and fiber, but you don't know fat content. Whether you're a confirmed vegetarian looking for new recipes or you just want to improve your health by eating meat-free a few times a week, this book will entice you. --Joan Price
Customer Reviews:
Wide range of cultures, so-so ingredients.......2004-12-03
Overall, this is a great starter book for someone being introduced to vegetarianism, since many of the dishes are just vegetarian versions of wellknown meaty dishes. However, Ms. McCartney relies a little too heavily on meat substitutes in her recipes. For example, she uses vegetarian sausages and vegetarian ground "meat" in many of the recipes. I would recommend finding a book that relies on the wonderful flavors of fresh vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and grains, rather than on a fake processed product.
She is still the best.......2004-03-29
This is the best cook book for vegetarians! I cooked everything in it and I love it! We miss you Linda!
Excellent tasty and unique veggie cuisine.......2002-11-16
I received this book as a gift and after looking through it, I was excited to try the recipes. There is a great selection of different recipes from all around the world. What makes this book special is that the recipes include the traditional Italian and Chinese cuisine, but Linda goes beyond the traditional to include Indian, African and Thai cuisines. I truly enjoy the hot and sour soup, for example. The photographs are brilliant in color and are vivid enough to make your stomach growl by just looking at them. Linda uses olive oil generously. Although there is not a nutritional analysis, it is easy to adapt the recipes to a healthy diet, which I do with great success. I truly enjoy this book.
Excellent cookbook to own!.......2000-07-02
I am a vegan, and finding anything delicious that doesn't include some form of tofu is sometimes hard. This cookbook includes many ethnic, vegan recipes and photos to go with them. Instructions are easy, even my 9-year-old daughter helps with the preparation. We made the Chinese aromatic vegetable stir-fry last night, and it was marvelous. Even my mom, who is not veggie, thought it looked and smelled delicious. The world has lost a wonderful talent in Linda.
Excellent Multi-Ethnic Cookbook - Absolutely Fabulous!.......1999-04-15
Yet another truly excellent cooking tome from an inspiring woman, Linda McCartney shows once again how easy it is to prepare easy and delicious meals with a flair. This book is a must have for those who like to sample cuisines from other cultures, and you absolutely don't miss the meat in these dishes. From the stunning photography to the mouth-watering menu ideas that make party planning a snap, there is something for every taste. I have had rave reviews over every recipe I prepared from this and her other cook books. We have lost a true treasure in Linda McCartney.
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- Epidemic: How Teen Sex is Killing Our Kids
- Erotic Massage
- Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness with HQ 4.2 CD, Daily Fitness and Nutrition Journal & PowerWeb/OLC Bind-in Card
- Forum Feasts: The Forum School
- Gary Null's Mind Power : Rejuvenate Your Brain and Memory Naturally
- Golden Fountain : The Complete Guide to Urine Therapy
- Good Housekeeping Rush Hour Dinners: Great Meals in 30 Minutes or Less
Books Index
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Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying
