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The author began his search for a healthier regimen after his father's death from colon cancer at age sixty-four. An early influence was Dr. N.W. Walker, who lived to be ninety-nine after many years of following a vegan diet. Lucas was also impressed by the Hunza tribe, known for their long lifespan. The Hunza eat mainly plants. Lucas organized an alphabetical listing of lifestyle factors, foods, medical procedures, and chemicals—from air pollution to zinc—that affect longevity, with care to advise readers to study each one and undertake independent research for their particular circumstances.
Examples of his frank and fact-based approach are the contrast noted between colonoscopy, which he believes to be important for families with a history of colon cancer, and his listing for CT scans, which can, he states, be dangerous because of radiation exposure. He recommends dark chocolate, extra-virgin olive oil, green tea, oats, nuts, and seeds. He advises against consuming animal products, although notes that Dr. Walker used honey, an animal product, and that honey can reduce cholesterol. Such simply stated views illustrate the author's open-minded presentation.
Lucas has taken care in offering both facts and opinions and helpfully provides a list of other books available on vegan and vegetarian choices. His work, whose proceeds will go to certain charities, is composed of a brief introduction and then, intriguingly, of listings, one per page, some as short as a single sentence, while others, like the examination of several types of cancers, offer in-depth data for the reader's further exploration. His manual allows readers to think for themselves while recognizing as they follow his thoughtful guidance that his overall thesis—the adoption of a vegan diet—may be the best path for those with serious health concerns.