Pay Now Live Later: Why I won't Read Robb Wolf's or Art Devany's New Books

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Why I won't Read Robb Wolf's or Art Devany's New Books

It suddenly struck me today. I am not going to read Robb Wolf's book The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet. Nor am I going to read Art Devany's book The New Evolution Diet.

It had been on my mental to-do list to order / pre-order the books. I have a blog about Paleo living - so I should read these books when they come out, right? Maybe, but I'm not going to.

This is not the reason. Not this. But... I find the inclusion of the word DIET, either in big letters on the front, or as part of the title itself, to be a bit of a sell out. Mark Sisson did not do this with the Primal Blueprint, for which kudos. I bet his publisher wanted him to.

In fact there are two reasons I won't be reading them.

One - I don't think there's anything left to learn. That's not because I know lots of stuff - it's because there ain't that much you need to know. I have no doubt the same applies to many of you. And once you know it, you're set. Anything more is just material to bore dinner guests or upstage would-be experts.

Two - life's too short. I reckon Robb's book is actually quite funny, in the same way Mark's unique style made the PB an entertaining read; but there are a lot of things I don't know anything about and many great and funny books I want to read before I die. So if I read more about the same thing just so I can remain at the leading edge of smart arsery, it feels like edging into Star Trek convention territory. No offense, Trekkies.

That's it. Just needed to get it off my chest.

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Chris Robbins · 748 weeks ago

Mark Sisson self-published.

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Jake · 748 weeks ago

There are 200,000 books published every year so to get your book published, you have to make some compromises. Putting diet in your title is one of them if you are selling a nutrition book. Mark's book was self published so he could leave out "diet" in his title but both Art and Robb do not have the money to self publish.

I bought Robb's book to reinforce what I already know. However, in his book I learned about a probiotic that dramatically improved my health. No, I am not going to tell you what that probiotic is, you will have to buy his book.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Stephan · 748 weeks ago

Anyone can self publish these days, just look at the option through Amazon. I couls publish a book if I wanted and I don't have access to a great deal of cash.

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idblog 6p · 748 weeks ago

I picked up Robb's book for my Kindle. You've pretty much nailed it with point #1. Yes, he wrote it in a snarky style, but only to a point. It definitely is geared towards neophytes. I've already sent a copy to my sister who is still fixated on trying to make the food pyramid work. Because of the newbie focus, he also spends a good bit of the book anticipating non-compliance.

That said, there is a lot science in it and I expect to find it useful as a condensed reference to the Cordain-style paleo diet; just wish there was a ToC in the Kindle edition!

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JMK · 748 weeks ago

Any time spent reading Robb's book would have been more valuable then writing this blog post. Want to hear about what I'm NOT going to read?

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Bryan · 748 weeks ago

I would recommend reading Robb's book. I also had read everything out there to date but still I learned new things and it help emphasized some keys things I hadn't been focused on. I have Art's book pre-ordered so I will let you know if it's a good read.

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Ben · 748 weeks ago

“The only things worth learning are the things you learn after you know it all.” Truman

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Sue · 748 weeks ago

Why did you even have to do a blog post about this.

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Asclepius · 748 weeks ago

This approach worked for HG!

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mezzovoice · 748 weeks ago

I bought it and began reading it. I didn't like the style very much. Maybe I am just too old for this kind of approach, but I while I like books to be entertaining or amusing I do not like facetiousness on every page. This may be a useful book for anyone who is just beginning with the low-carb lifestyle but old hands certainly do not need it. As for the probiotics: go to a bookshop and check them out. No need to buy the book.

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Patrick · 748 weeks ago

I agree that everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion (especially on YOUR blog!)....but I respectfully don't agree with you here. I read Robb's book (excellent--as are his Podcasts) and will read Art DeVany's as well. Robb's book really helped me get my Paleo efforts refocused and put me on a great path.

I suppose I follow the philosophy of the Navy SEALs....."My training is never complete."

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JAS · 748 weeks ago

Much like we all draw our own paleo/primal definitions (vinegar is or isn't? jarred foods are or are not?) I think it is up to each of us to decide what books/sites/mentors fit in line with the way we live our lives.

Quite a few of the people out there have turned me off with their line of "products" and "supplements" that have their name on them and they are selling for $100 or so. To me that's a bigger red flag than the word "diet" in a title.

As some of the other posters mentioned, trying to get books onto a bookstores' shelves is a very competitive market, and the buyers for those stores are going to insist on certain things in a title.

I've never been a fan of the word diet, but I am a big fan of Robb's, so regardless of title, I believe his work is worth reading.

To be completely trite, "You can't judge a book by its cover." Commence groans now....

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Asclepius · 748 weeks ago

Jas, I am with you on the supplements thing - "Primal Fuel" was the point for me when MDA jumped the shark.

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michael · 748 weeks ago

I think you are "On" to something. I have lost a bit of interest in this whole Paleo thing. I still eat Paleo, reap the great effects from exercising in that way, and intend to keep doing this. But you are right, once you know a little bit, you are good. I actually bought last year 3 copies of Marks book. I gave them away to friends and family who have not heard about this. I read the book and found there was more information, and was easier to access online, than in the book. I also think I am not the only one who is "stalling" on their Paleo blog reading. PaNu, Free The Animal, and many other smaller ones are slowing down.

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Boris Terzic · 748 weeks ago

Never been a fan of the word diet, you either eat or you don't. There is no diet.

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Methuselah 44p · 748 weeks ago

Thanks everyone for your comments.

In case it wasn't clear from the post (although I think it was) - the main reason I wrote the post was to explain why, in spite of implicitly positioning myself as someone who knows about this area (by writing this blog), I am not planning to read two books which, on the face of it, are must-reads for such a person. I suppose I was also drawing a distinction between Paleo as a hobby and Paleo as a lifestyle, and indicating my personal preference towards the latter.

As an aside, I find rather odd this idea that anyone who has read free content online has a duty to buy anything later sold by the same source. This is something that was raised on Twitter. Perhaps I just see the world differently, but to me, that's not how it works. If someone writes a book and asks for money in exchange for it, I will gladly pay, provided I want to read it. If someone writes a blog for a couple of years without charging for it, then I will read the blog without guilt, and assume that they are gaining in some non-fiscal way, either through enjoying the self-expression (my motivation) or amassing followers who can later be invited to pay for other things - such as books. The fact that not all readers will buy items later offered for sale is a normal part of business and should not be a source of rancour for the publisher or of guilt for the blog reader.

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Sue · 748 weeks ago

But why target those two books or those 2 authors? You culd have just wrote a post that included your comment above because those comments actually explained your blog post more clearly.

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mezzo · 748 weeks ago

Why those two books? How about freedom of expression and the right of Methusalah to blog about anything he likes? I completely agree with his views on blogs and books. I noticed that recently some bloggers are asking for financial contributions to their blogs. Some of these blogs seem to have come to a complete halt.Money not rolling in as expected, I wonder?

1 reply · active 748 weeks ago

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Methuselah 44p · 748 weeks ago

Thanks mezzo. I've never quite understood the contributions thing either. It's like mowing someone's lawn, then knocking on the door and asking for money. Much better to agree a price for lawnmowing, then do then job, so everyone knows where they stand. I guess the 'everything is free' ideology of the internet has muddied the water for some people.

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Hans Keer · 748 weeks ago

Hi Methuselah, I red Robb Wolf and yes you are right, it brought me nothing new. But of course Rob's and Art's books are must reads for the people who need to change their lifestyle. The question is whether and Rob and Art reach their target-group or that they are largely preaching for their own sympathizing “religious community".

1 reply · active 748 weeks ago

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Methuselah 44p · 748 weeks ago

It's a good question. Mixture of the two I guess. It took Art a long time to write his. He could easily have been the first to market with a mainstream volume - but ironically he may end up capturing more readers because since then Paleo has got a lot more press.

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GeeBee · 748 weeks ago

Buying these books is my way of making a donation. Just the same as when Tom Naughton’s ‘Fat Head’ video is released in a multi-region version I will buy that too, even though I’ve already seen it. I’ve listened to all of Robb’s podcasts and have gotten great value from them. I also wanted a book that I would feel comfortable lending to a friend or relative as a definitive guide to Paleo rather than having to explain it myself. I’ve actually had the book for several weeks now and I haven’t even read it yet.

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Grok · 748 weeks ago

i can totally understand this position. I'm sure they're great books, but I haven't and won't be reading any primal/paleo books.

That said, If you're newbie to the whole "paleo" thing it might help to pick up on things a little faster if you read them.

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reallifehealth 1p · 747 weeks ago

Robb has mentioned that he'd like to work on more books involving diving deeper into the science, but that for now, he can help more people be getting people new to the 'paleo' concept to buy in, versus trying to tweak the diets of those who already eat in a paleo/primal way.

I don't believe anyone feels obliged to buy those peoples books, but that just like training someone with how to squat, by spending time with different coaches you can learn different cues. Having many different ways to explain why someone should eliminate grains, legumes, dairy, etc. is a valuable asset.

And while time is finite, I quite enjoyed spending a few hours reading Robb's book, despite the fact that it didn't blow my mind with all new theories/ideas.

1 reply · active 747 weeks ago

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darc · 722 weeks ago

Ugh, not more "science." Enough, already! I get it. I've long-since taken down the list of "Paleo" foods from my kitchen. This is easy, it's not rocket science (there's that word again). Eat meats, fish, eggs, greens, a few nuts and fruits, a lot of good fats. Buy the highest quality of these foods that you an afford. There. There's my book. How much will you pay me for it?

Come on, do we really need the information from a biochemist? (BTW, what that degree has to do with nutrition is fodder for another day) I agree with this post. I'm not reading any more books on this subject either. Not because I think I know everything, but because I know enough for my life, and I'm the one who gets to make these decisions for myself.

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Penny · 747 weeks ago

Robb's book was very helpful to me, even though I've read all of his "free" stuff and great podcasts online. Some of us like to know the science behind our choices...some of us don't. For me, information is key to sifting through some junk that is online. Cheers to you, either way!

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Chris · 745 weeks ago

Don't throw them under the bus because you don't know the definition of the word "DIET".

Diet is the correct term for food and drink that is regularly consumed. They haven't sold out at all.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Methuselah 44p · 745 weeks ago

I do know the definition of the word diet... but marketing strategies are based around what the majority perception of a word is. And the majority perception is that it's about weight loss. I base my view on on the motives rather than the semantic reality.

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darius · 735 weeks ago

I picked up Robb's book after reading Mark's and i must agree there was a lot of useless filler. I really didn't find any useful information until i was more than 3 quarters of the way through the book. I think it would have served the reader and Paleo noob better to focus on the facts. I was kinda disappointed i thought the book would be filled with information already not available on the net if you do your research not witty conjecture and someones whole life story. Honestly prior to Paleo most people weren't eating Paleo so that is a given. I agree with the blogger give me a meat cookie with no added filler to make it go further...i just want the meat. Isn't that what were all here for any way...

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Nahuas · 728 weeks ago

I've read Art de Vany's book but not Robb Wolf's. Prior to reading de Vany's book I had read Loren Cordain's "Paleo Diet" but really there was so much more I learnt from de Vany; he gave ideas on how and when to train which is what Cordain didn't really touch on but I thought I had the diet covered. Now I think I know everything, but I bet Robb's book will give me loads of better ideas - you can never have too much information!

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Nahuas · 728 weeks ago

With reference to the bit about the "diet" personally I think its a little harsh. I do like to bang on to people that its not a bloody diet, more so a lifestyle, but still its a diet nonetheless. The paleolithic diet, the neolithic diet (SAD diet), the Mediterranean diet; it doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as synonymous with a diet where somebody has to lose weight - its more so a way of eating.

However, I understand your point about Wolf and de Vany using "diet" to boost sales. But they're only trying to make an honest living like the rest of us. Besides, I found de Vany's book really interesting, Wolf's I am yet to buy. Sisson's I am reading - and I have undoubtedly found differences between his version to both de Vany's and Cordain's so I'll look forward to buying Wolf's book as soon as I get round to it.

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Elenor · 719 weeks ago

I'm a regular reader of a number of blogs, and I value the information I've been given. It's free to me, but at a cost of time, research, and thought by the person doing the work of providing the blog. To me, it's appropriate recompense to buy the blogger's book to support them (even if just to give the book away as a gift to someone I hope to educate). My goodness, these books cost less than a good grass-fed steak -- and supporting the people who are giving their time to provide this info free on the web seems to be to be the *right* thing to do. The couple of folks who complained above that they feel no need or desire to "repay" the kindness of these strangers by kicking in a few bucks for a book they can give to a friend or donate to their local library seem cheap, stingy, and not quite honorable. If you regularly read someone's blog and benefit from their work, why should you NOT wish to offer a kindness back? Esp. one that takes just a few dollars and offers you something tangible in return (the book)? Where has honor gone in today's world?! (Or is it the hippy's: 'there is no property and I can take whatever is offered for free without giving anything back to my community?) {sigh}

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Fitness Hampstead · 696 weeks ago

I found it worked pretty well.. I wouldn't rush to dismiss it.

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