The Vegan Book of Permaculture by Graham Burnett

I give this book 8 out of 10 acorns

I was thrilled to hear that a book on vegan permaculture was being written. I have so many vegan friends who won't consider reading a book on permaculture because they think it has to involve keeping livestock to supply the manure and other essential functions in a system, and they don't want to have to read about something that runs so contrary to their ethics and principles. This book provides the perfect solution for anyone who would benefit from an introductory text on permaculture and wants to learn to tread more lightly on the planet without relying on the use of domesticated animals.

This book was started when the author, Graham Burnett, was asked by Maddy Harland of Permanent Publications to write a vegan recipe book, but somewhere along the line the project grew into something a little bigger. It still has plenty of recipes, but now they tend to form the final section of the chapters. There is also a comprehensive index to the recipes, reflecting their importance in the book.

The layout of the book is fairly typical for a basic permaculture text, with an introductory chapter followed by chapters pertaining to the various permaculture zones, starting with a surprisingly in-depth chapter on Personal Health and Effectiveness to represent Zone 00, and working right through the other zones and finally back (or is it round?) to the final chapter, Coming Full Circle – The Power of Community. I should also mention the rather delightful line drawings which reflect the author's gentle and unassuming outlook on life.

I've read a lot of vegan literature, and was vegan myself for several years before my son was born and my hormones and blood sugars went haywire and I felt I had to resort to eating animal products so I could keep my blood sugars stable. I can honestly say that this is the only vegan or plant-based book I have read so far that doesn't seem to be a thinly veiled attempt to brainwash you into joining some sort of cult. Quite the opposite in fact. I found the book very positive, enabling and encouraging without a hint of the 'preachy-ness' that I've come to expect every time I tentatively reach for anything with the word 'vegan' in the title. Graham Burnett has been described as the Godfather of London Permaculture, and his style of writing reflects his caring and unassuming outlook on life, gently guiding you through everything you need to know without ever sounding preachy or dogmatic. There is a definite feel of having been written from a London perspective, but the depth of Graham's knowledge and experience shines through and this book will find a place on vegan bookshelves anywhere around the world. I also think it deserves a place on the bookshelf of any permaculturists who might have vegan friends who would be uncomfortable reading about the animal systems discussed in other permaculture texts, so they can lend it out to them.

Having said that, it is an introductory book. If you're already into permaculture it might not offer you enough new information to become your 'go to' book. The only book I know of that might fill that gap is Growing Green: Animal-Free Organic Techniques by Jenny Hall and Iain Tolhurst. I'm still trying to get my hands on a copy of that. It appears to be aimed at farm-scale organic agriculture rather than permaculture, but looks like it might complement The Vegan Book of Permaculture quite well. I'll do a write-up when I can.

In short, The Vegan Book of Permaculture fills a much needed gap, but I also feel that there are gaps still to be filled and I very much hope that someone, somewhere will take up the gauntlet and produce a more in-depth treatise on the subject. In the meantime, and despite Graham's gentle, un-preachy ways, I'm busy experimenting introducing more meat-free days into life, brushing up on the latest research in plant-based nutrition, and gradually reverting towards the vegan I once was and no doubt will become again.

Thanks for the lovely review! Much appreciated!!!

Great to have you here Graham!

welcome!

Welcome, Graham.

I'm also a sort of 'urban permie' too, as I live in town and have issues with zoning. I am blessed to have acquired some space though. I'm also a medical vegan, not a moral one; and I have had too much of the 'other high ground' ... looking forward to getting a copy of this book to peruse as it sounds like a blend of things after my own heart and circumstances.

Thank you also, Burra, for your review here and on Amazon. Without a 'peek inside' I am relying heavily on the descriptions and reviews. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Deb Rebel wrote:

Thank you also, Burra, for your review here and on Amazon. Without a 'peek inside' I am relying heavily on the descriptions and reviews. I don't think I'll be disappointed.

If you follow this link to the publisher's site, there's an option there to download a pdf sample of the book, which might be worth a look. It's the first part of the book, complete with contents list, recipe index and the first chapter.

Thank you for the link Burra! I will go check it out.

Thank you for sharing the book and your review of it. It looks very informative!

Thanks folks, it's really encouraging and appreciated to receive such positive feedback!!!

Great review of this lovely book thanks Burra. And based on your recommendation I have just purchased Growing Green as well. Hoping to share the benefits to the animals, people and planet of Vegan Organic growing with my local permaculture group here in the Hunter Valley, Australia. Cheers