I thought for sure I’d want to own this book, as I have several previous books like this and assumed I’d want the latest, hopefully comprehensive version. However, I think I’m past needing these books. Perhaps it’s that I now know all the information, perhaps it’s because it’s easier to find this kind of information on the internet, perhaps it’s because so many processed vegan products now have some sort of vegan labeling. Also, in this version, so many of the ingredients are ones I’ve never encountered. In previous books, I discovered there was great danger of running into most of the included unwanted ingredients. This was kind of fun to read though, and dismaying to me to be reminded of how much humans use animal derived ingredients and items. For brand new vegans or the vegan interested who are as hard core as I am and who’ve never read a list such as this, I think they might find this book interesting. If I didn’t own similar books, I might want this for reference. It may be the best such book I’ve read. I appreciate how comprehensive it is. I’m also glad my library has it available for lending.

It is a well organized book. I appreciate the icons: always or often vegetable, sometimes or rarely vegetable, always or often animal, sometimes or rarely animal, always or often synthetic, sometimes or rarely synthetic, always or often mineral, sometimes or rarely mineral, always or often microbiological, sometimes or rarely microbiological.

Contents:

Introduction/About Using This Book

Part 1: Ingredients A to Z

Part 2: Product Labeling
Food
Dietary supplements
Pharmaceutical drugs
Cosmetics
Household cleaning products
Textiles, wool and fur
Leather and imitation leather
Seals, logs and labels

Part 3: Vegan Alternatives to Animal Ingredients
Food
Dietary supplements
Pharmaceutical drugs
“Pet” food
Cosmetic products
Household cleaning products – Clothing and accessories
Footware
Brushes and brooms – Interior decoration, household items
Sport and leisure
Arts and crafts
Photography and printing – Musical instruments
Electronics and technology
Closing remarks

Part 4: References and Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Online resources
U.S. legislation

It’s a useful reference book and its small size makes it convenient for carrying around if so desired. It would make a fine gift for any vegan interested person or any vegan who doesn’t know the full scope of animal exploitation, yet wants to avoid it as much as possible. It didn’t make for scintillating cover to cover reading though. I recommend it as a reference book, even though portions, especially not the ingredients lists proper, are sufficiently interesting for reading in full.(less) ( )