Perhaps Some Books Deserve to be Burned

I ended up with way too many books after scooping up boxes at auctions years ago. Afterwards I found that reselling books online is much like pulling teeth--a painful and unrewarding process. I got rid of some by donating to a couple libraries, selling a few at a used book store, and of course kept a number that I intend to read (one of these days).

There’s just too many, though, and some are in terrible condition, falling apart or water stained. I had decided to weed through and sacrifice the un-sellable and unreadable to the woodstove.

Why then, am I burning so many diet books that are in readable condition?

Excusing the fact that they are likely outdated in some methods, maybe you can get an idea of why I burn these book by reading a sample page below:

• Number 1 sounds emotionally painful, on purpose, to get a woman to not eat chocolate or other favorite foods.
• Number 2 is ridiculous and will only waste money. Like the ones who buy a wedding dress 5 sizes too small.
• Number 3--mind games anyone? Some women and girls are paranoid enough about this.
• On the second list, Numbers 3 and 5 tell you not to enjoy food ever again because if it tastes good, it isn’t good for you. Would you like to be disgusted over Italian food forevermore because all you’ve ingrained in your head is “heavy and oily”, traits you’re afraid will become you?
• Number 7 seems to perpetrate a stereotype that fat people and poor people are synonymous. A stereotype that appears true in real life, sure, but it won’t kill a dieter to have a pasta dinner or something with sugar every now and then.

I burn diet and weight loss books because I feel they prey on women’s self image and self esteem. A woman interested in getting help dieting would find it hard to think of herself in a positive light after reading this. As if the media and advertising these days didn’t do enough damage already.

The book I referenced in probably from the late 70s to 80s, judging by the yellowing pages (can’t tell for sure, I already burned the cover and 90% of the book). That doesn’t change the fact that these ideas are still being propagated everywhere. Women are told they have to be beautiful and thin, men are told to hide their gray hairs and be masculine heads of the household, and teens and children and being forced to grow up faster and faster as they are exposed to subject matter inappropriate for their ages.

The book in question is by Barbara Fiedler Edelstein, M.D., is called "Dieting for Women by the Woman Doctor" (or something like that) and is certainly a dime a dozen.