Activist, Environmentalist, and Author

 If a panacea were possible, this philosophy comes close to finding one. Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2009 I would recommend "The Missing Peace" to anyone even remotely curious about the ideas behind vegetarianism/veganism to the already hard-core faithful. It synthesizes (in a sort of anthology-type format) the two most persuasive books I've ever read on the subject, including Peter Singer's Animal Liberation and Robbins' Diet for a New America. Where both Singer and Robbins' deal with the animal abuse, health, and environmental issues behind the use of animal products, this book adds a spiritual dimension, which will uplift you even if you don't believe in a higher power. I personally am a doubter or agnostic, but even this book got me to believe that if there is a God, this is the action "it" would want us to take to save our planet and ourselves. If the Kafkaesque/Orwellian (but worse!) loathsome, inhumane conditions we humans have subjugated on animals doesn't get to you, hopefully the promotion of "green" ideas and human health will. If none of those issues are of interest to people, well....I guess we deserve our fate. But I think I have faith in the human race, especially after reading about the conversion of so many hunters and farmers to this cause. Those were the most powerful essays in my opinion, and I wish all would read

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Important Books I Have Ever Read

Having read this book has changed me very deeply in many ways. I know now I will never eat meat again, but it helped me more than that, to understand why I have never had a deep inner peace that had always been missing, even when I would be doing volunteer work. Everywhere I go, this book will go with me, so that I may read it over and over again, and share its passages with others.

5.0 out of 5 stars 

Quietly Powerful Treatise on Animal Rights, Embracing Vegetarianism, and Discovering Peace - of Mind and the World Reviewed in the US -  THE MISSING PEACE: The Hidden Power of Our Kinship with Animals is a one of those little books that sneaks up on the reader fortunate enough to be drawn to purchasing it. Here is a book with more depth than the cover might suggest. If there were more thinkers and writers like Tina Volpe and Judy Carman we might be able to find alternative ways of cohabiting in this stressed planet instead of slowly destroying it.  The message is quiet yet very powerful. This well written collection of thoughts and philosophies begins as a group of shared statements from people who have in one way or another, either through initial enlightenment or following nightmarish memories of animal cruelty and abuse (often tales of the manner in which our fellow creatures are turned into food sources for the 'victors' in the struggle for survival) gain a change in perspective and elect to follow the Vegan course. 

The authors are informed and committed: Tina Volpe is a 'Heart Health' speaker and a Humane Educator while Judy Carman is an activist for animal rights, environmental protection, and world peace and both are involved in public service to help a bruised society return to a sense of living a life free of violence.  What makes this book unique is the manner in which the authors present their premise. Their mission is not felt to be one of messianic ardor but instead to be a warm sharing of well documented facts and thoughts from the various religious groups and spiritual thinkers of a philosophy that can only be described as eloquent. Would that more people take the time to learn these principles! This is a little treasure of a book that deserves a wide audience - and in keeping with the motivation of the authors, a book to share with friends, family and everyone who is amenable to re-thinking the direction of our position in the course of the future of our planet. Grady Harp, August 09