The book was a New York Times best seller, debuting at #7 in hardback non-fiction[3] and remained in the bestseller lists into the next month.[4] It has been translated into twenty different languages.[citation needed]
It relates Jurek's childhood in Minnesota, his growing interest in sport, family life and career. It also covers his change in eating habits, from a standard meat-eating diet through to vegetarianism and finally becoming a vegan. Each chapter ends with one of his favorite vegan recipes.[5]