Which to read first Groves or Taubes?

okapi · 07-17-2008, 07:36 PM

Hi!
I just tracked my online book order...Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes AND Natural Health and Weight Loss by Barry Groves should both be arriving tomorrow! I'm off work tomorrow so hopefully they will arrive by late morning so I can get comfy on my deck, soak up a little vitamin D (sun) and start reading!! BUT...which do you think I should read first?

Thanks for your opinions!!
Katie

lippi · 07-17-2008, 07:38 PM

From what I've heard, Groves is an easier read, so maybe that one.
Course, I'm giving advice yet I've not read either yet.

cleochatra · 07-17-2008, 07:48 PM

I'd alternate, chapter by chapter. Taubes is very deep reading (think JRR Tolkein) and Groves is more CS Lewis.

okapi · 07-17-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleochatra

I'd alternate, chapter by chapter. Taubes is very deep reading (think JRR Tolkein) and Groves is more CS Lewis.

Ahh....very helpful! Thanks!!

Katie

steady · 07-17-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleochatra

I'd alternate, chapter by chapter. Taubes is very deep reading (think JRR Tolkein) and Groves is more CS Lewis.

Oh good idea! I am reading GCBC...it is good, but really dense and at times feels like, well homework.

cleochatra · 07-17-2008, 08:19 PM

Admission here: I actually read his book backwards, chapter by chapter.

Enza · 07-17-2008, 08:56 PM

i just got Natural Health & Weight loss, going to start that one 1st because so many people said Taubes was a hard read. It's not a bad thing, but I read at night..gonna save my Taubes book for my beach days.

BufoDieter · 07-18-2008, 01:05 PM

What I found with Taubes' book is that it took me a couple of chapters for my brain to kick back in to "college reading mode" which is what that book felt like. After that, the reading got faster.

And maybe it's also because I was like

after reading about information that wasn't being told to the general public.

CarolynF · 07-18-2008, 01:16 PM

Barry Groves is very easy to read compared to Taubes..Yup..Taubes is more like a college textbook..with no exams at the end..

Prozak · 07-18-2008, 01:16 PM

I think of Groves' book as the 'condensed, readers digest' version of Taubes' book.

Reading Barry's book first made Taube's book a little easier to get through.

Kattbelly · 07-18-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BufoDieter

What I found with Taubes' book is that it took me a couple of chapters for my brain to kick back in to "college reading mode" which is what that book felt like. After that, the reading got faster.

And maybe it's also because I was like

after reading about information that wasn't being told to the general public.

Me too! I was so angry, I was quoting him like a mad woman to everyone I met (sorry lady in the grocery store line

)

DorianH · 07-18-2008, 03:44 PM

Well, Taubes is more like general knowledge and covers all kinds of eating-related things. Groves is an actual plan, so if you're looking to get on plan with something new, start with Groves. Taubes is more thought provoking, but definitely NOT an easy read!! But, worth it.

pepperette · 07-18-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Barry Groves is very easy to read compared to Taubes..Yup..Taubes is more like a college textbook..with no exams at the end..

Thank heavens for that! I thought it was a very boring read and returned it to the library before getting halfway through!

Locarb4me · 07-18-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleochatra

Admission here: I actually read his book backwards, chapter by chapter.

Oh, you are so smart. Well, I read it upside down and backwards so there!!

Locarb4me · 07-18-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kattbelly

Me too! I was so angry, I was quoting him like a mad woman to everyone I met (sorry lady in the grocery store line

)

We must be twins separated at birth. I still have to stop myself sometimes....

SweetAsSplenda · 07-18-2008, 04:58 PM

agree that Groves is the condensed version. I found it much easier to get through than GCBC (which, um, I'm still reading...

) I tend to balk at anything as dense as that. Oh yeah and Cleo I could never get through Tolkein either...even now my taste runs toward the fluffy, chick lit type books.

Bluegenes · 07-18-2008, 06:21 PM

Having read both, recently, I'd agree with most of these posts. Groves book is far more condensed and does have a meal plan. Although, I must admit I did have to change his meal plan a tiny bit...........lamb and/or sheep kidneys are not offered in the super market I shop in....... but even is they were, they don't sound very appealing. Not to worry...with that exception the book is great!

After reading Groves, then read Taubes. Once your done you going to be "smarter" than 99.99% of Americans.

Prozak · 07-18-2008, 06:23 PM

I am 1/2 way through Taubes, and every new chapter is as every bit as interesting as the last.

As hard as it is sometimes, I haven't skipped one paragraph yet!

Doug_H · 07-18-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prozak

I am 1/2 way through Taubes, and every new chapter is as every bit as interesting as the last.

As hard as it is sometimes, I haven't skipped one paragraph yet!

Taubes fan here.

I've read through it once and am bookmarking special interest comments the second time around

Doug

07-17-2008, 07:36 PM	#1
okapi Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 158 Gallery: okapi Stats: Sizes: tight 22/comfy 20/ ?? <14 WOE: Atkins-OWL Start Date: April 9, 2008	Which to read first Groves or Taubes? Hi! I just tracked my online book order...Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes AND Natural Health and Weight Loss by Barry Groves should both be arriving tomorrow! I'm off work tomorrow so hopefully they will arrive by late morning so I can get comfy on my deck, soak up a little vitamin D (sun) and start reading!! BUT...which do you think I should read first? Thanks for your opinions!! Katie

07-18-2008, 06:21 PM	#17
Bluegenes Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 65 Gallery: Bluegenes Stats: 205/202/175 5'10" WOE: Barry Groves Start Date: June 2008	Having read both, recently, I'd agree with most of these posts. Groves book is far more condensed and does have a meal plan. Although, I must admit I did have to change his meal plan a tiny bit...........lamb and/or sheep kidneys are not offered in the super market I shop in....... but even is they were, they don't sound very appealing. Not to worry...with that exception the book is great! After reading Groves, then read Taubes. Once your done you going to be "smarter" than 99.99% of Americans. Last edited by Bluegenes : 07-18-2008 at 06:22 PM.

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07-17-2008, 07:38 PM	#2
lippi MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: wormtown Posts: 2,716 Gallery: lippi Stats: stretch pants 24/16 jeans/8 WOE: chew with mouth closed, swallow Start Date: november 2006	From what I've heard, Groves is an easier read, so maybe that one. Course, I'm giving advice yet I've not read either yet.

07-17-2008, 07:48 PM	#3
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7,622 Gallery: cleochatra Stats: 350/264/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 1, 2008	I'd alternate, chapter by chapter. Taubes is very deep reading (think JRR Tolkein) and Groves is more CS Lewis.

07-17-2008, 08:19 PM	#6
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7,622 Gallery: cleochatra Stats: 350/264/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 1, 2008	Admission here: I actually read his book backwards, chapter by chapter.

07-17-2008, 08:56 PM	#7
Enza Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: NY Posts: 134 Gallery: Enza Stats: 168/160/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: June 19 2008	i just got Natural Health & Weight loss, going to start that one 1st because so many people said Taubes was a hard read. It's not a bad thing, but I read at night..gonna save my Taubes book for my beach days.

07-18-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
BufoDieter Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Dakota Posts: 835 Gallery: BufoDieter Stats: 5' 8" 221/197.6/150? (size 8) WOE: I ♥ Dr. Atkins Start Date: Original: 8/2001... Restart: 6/2007	What I found with Taubes' book is that it took me a couple of chapters for my brain to kick back in to "college reading mode" which is what that book felt like. After that, the reading got faster. And maybe it's also because I was like after reading about information that wasn't being told to the general public.

07-18-2008, 01:16 PM	#9
CarolynF Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 19,296 Gallery: CarolynF Stats: 195/144/139 WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin/I Can Make You Thin Start Date: January 2001	Barry Groves is very easy to read compared to Taubes..Yup..Taubes is more like a college textbook..with no exams at the end..

07-18-2008, 01:16 PM	#10
Prozak MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada eh! Posts: 1,553 Gallery: Prozak Stats: 210/161 [pregnancy].... Now 210/168/130 WOE: Barry Groves - Gary Taubes (High Fat - VLCarb) Start Date: 07/04 - Kept it off 3 years...... Restart 03/18/08	I think of Groves' book as the 'condensed, readers digest' version of Taubes' book. Reading Barry's book first made Taube's book a little easier to get through.

07-18-2008, 03:44 PM	#12
DorianH MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RI Posts: 1,301 Gallery: DorianH Stats: 247/218/150 WOE: Moderate Carbs and Milk Free Start Date: restart 7/7/2008	Well, Taubes is more like general knowledge and covers all kinds of eating-related things. Groves is an actual plan, so if you're looking to get on plan with something new, start with Groves. Taubes is more thought provoking, but definitely NOT an easy read!! But, worth it.

07-18-2008, 04:58 PM	#16
SweetAsSplenda Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 937 Gallery: SweetAsSplenda Stats: Size 12/0-1/0 WOE: Healthy low carb Start Date: March 2, 2007	agree that Groves is the condensed version. I found it much easier to get through than GCBC (which, um, I'm still reading... ) I tend to balk at anything as dense as that. Oh yeah and Cleo I could never get through Tolkein either...even now my taste runs toward the fluffy, chick lit type books.

07-18-2008, 06:23 PM	#18
Prozak MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada eh! Posts: 1,553 Gallery: Prozak Stats: 210/161 [pregnancy].... Now 210/168/130 WOE: Barry Groves - Gary Taubes (High Fat - VLCarb) Start Date: 07/04 - Kept it off 3 years...... Restart 03/18/08	I am 1/2 way through Taubes, and every new chapter is as every bit as interesting as the last. As hard as it is sometimes, I haven't skipped one paragraph yet!