about the books
Welcome to the official library of Holly Harlayne Roberts, a writer and researcher whose work spans Christian history, biblical studies, vegetarian philosophy, interfaith dialogue, and Eastern wisdom traditions. Each of her books represents a lifelong commitment to uncovering truths, challenging long-held assumptions, and inviting readers into deeper reflection about faith, compassion, and the human story.
This page is not just a list of titles. It is a journey through Dr. Roberts’s intellectual and spiritual explorations. From reinterpreting the life of Jesus of Nazareth to documenting the lives of vegetarian saints, and from examining Gandhi’s philosophy to illuminating Eastern classics. Every book opens a new doorway into history, spirituality, and meaning.
Jesus the Holy Zealot
Jesus the Holy Zealot is Dr. Roberts’s most provocative and widely discussed work. In it, she presents Jesus not merely as a passive preacher of peace but as the spiritual leader of the Zealots. She uncovers His mission as a revolutionary freedom fighter who sacrificed His life, striving to free His people from Imperial Rome. Drawing from history, linguistics, and theology, she demonstrates how Imperial Rome manipulated the Gospels to remove itself from its true responsibility for Jesus’ crucifixion, flipping blame on the Jewish people, themselves.
This book uncovers:
- How one misplaced comma in the Gospel of Mark (the 1st Gospel written) changed history.
- That Judas Iscariot was not a traitor, but actually a loyal fighter – and fallen hero.
- That the disciples were actually Zealots trained for insurrection.
- That Rome crucified Jesus, not for blasphemy, but for leading an insurrection against them.
- Finally, that one deliberate mistranslation reshaped Christianity.
Why it matters: Jesus the Holy Zealot calls us to rediscover the real Jesus, a holy rabbi who willingly sacrificed His life, and was crucified by Rome, not in submission to them, but in defiance of them.
Your Vegetarian Pregnancy
For expectant vegetarian and vegan mothers seeking to maintain heathy vegetarian lifestyles throughout pregnancy, Your Vegetarian Pregnancy offers month-by-month nutritional guidance on how to do so. Using medical knowledge and practical advice, Dr. Holly Roberts, an obstetrician-gynecologist for over 30-years, and a vegetarian since childhood, proves that vegetarian and vegan mothers can ensure their unborn baby will not only grow and develop, but that it will thrive.
Why it matters: Too often, vegetarian-vegan mothers are told their diets are risky. Dr. Roberts provides the reassurance, research, and dietary choices needed to make informed, educated, and compassionate choices for both mothers and their awesome, growing, developing babies.
An essential guide for vegetarian-vegan mothers seeking to ensure their unborn baby receives optimum nutrition throughout its entire prenatal life.
Vegetarian Christian Saints
Vegetarian Christian Saints is an inspiring collection describing the lives of over one-hundred and fifty holy individuals, canonized by the early Christian Church, who lived vegetarian lifestyles, so as not to take the life of any innocent beings. Their stories reveal how compassion and holiness often walk hand in hand. From mystics to martyrs, Dr. Holly Roberts shows that spiritual devotion and nonviolence are deeply connected.
Why it matters: This book bridges faith and lifestyle, reminding us that vegetarianism has a respected place in Christian history, rooted in love and reverence for all life.
For readers of Christian spirituality and faith-based vegetarian traditions.
Compassionate Vegetarians: An Illustrated Journey
A simple, delicate and inspiring little book, Compassionate Vegetarians blends illustrations, reflections, and philosophy to celebrate the beauty of compassionate living. It is both a meditation on ethics and an illustrated journey, drawing readers into the spiritual meaning of living life without taking the lives of weaker beings.
Why it matters: Compassionate vegetarian lifestyles are not just about diets. They are about building a kinder world. They are about recognizing that all life has meaning, and that weaker beings still have souls. Living without harming other beings is a blessing, not just to the animals saved, but to the individual blessed with the sensitivity to recognize the beauty of such a lifestyle.
A meaningful companion for those who value compassionate, merciful, and non-violent living.
Synagogues of Manhattan, New York
A photographic and historical journey, Synagogues of Manhattan documents the cultural and architectural significance of Jewish communities in New York City from 1654 onward. Through images and narrative, Dr. Holly Roberts captures both the physical beauty and the enduring spirit of these sacred spaces.
Why it matters: Synagogues are not just buildings. They are testimonies of resilience, culture, and faith. This book preserves their story for future generations.
Perfect for those who love architecture, Jewish history, and cultural heritage.
Doctrine of Inner Peace: Doctrine of the Mean
Through her translation, interpretation and illustration of the Doctrine of Inner Peace, Dr. Holly Roberts introduces readers to the Doctrine of the Mean, an ancient Chinese treatises written by Tsze-sze, the grandson of K’ung Fu-tsze (Confucius). Tsze-sze created this work approximately 70 years after the sage’s death. Whereas Confucius’ writings are predominantly pragmatic, those of Tsze-sze combine both pragmatism and spirituality. The Doctrine of Inner Peace is a brilliant, yet barely known, work helping followers attain harmony, balance, and inner peace. Drawing from Eastern wisdom, Dr. Roberts reveals how this beautiful, concise writing can help modern seekers attain centered living, balance, and personal contentment.
Why it matters: In a world often pulled to extremes, the wisdom of moderation is timeless. This book is a valuable companion for anyone searching for inner stability and peace.
For readers of Eastern philosophy and spiritual growth.
Gandhi: The Vegetarian
In Gandhi: The Vegetarian, Dr. Holly Roberts explores how Mahatma Gandhi’s values of non-violence, non-abundance, and compassionate living inevitably led to his vegetarian lifestyle. To Gandhi, vegetarianism was not just a diet. It was a spiritual and humane way of life. It encompassed all of Gandhi’s values, and was an outward manifestation of his overriding life principle of ahimsa, meaning non-violence. Gandhi states that although he was born into a vegetarian family, he would not have remained one, had he not considered it a higher form of living. He considered a life of vegetarian non-violence the only lifestyle he could lead.
Why it matters: Understanding Gandhi’s vegetarian values provides a deeper view into his broader philosophy that all beings seek to live, all beings have souls, and all beings are a manifestation of God.
Inspiring for those interested in Gandhi studies, Hindu philosophy, vegetarian ethics, and nonviolence.
The Analects of Confucius
Confucius was not just a legend. He was a real individual. He was K’ung Fu-tsze of Lu, a state in eastern China. Dr. Holly Roberts presents his timeless wisdom contained within The Analects of Confucius. Actually, these are the only written documentation of K’ung Fu-tsze’s teachings. They were recorded by his disciples after his passing, and only make sense when read in the context of the situations in which Confucius gave his advice. The wisdom within in this text is invaluable.
Why it matters: Confucius’ wisdom is timeless and continues to shape global thought on morality, personal integrity, family values and governance. This illustrated version makes those lessons accessible for today’s readers.
For students of Chinese philosophy, cultural awareness, and Confucian ethics.
Tao Te Ching: The Art and the Journey
A reflective interpretation of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, this book highlights the beauty of simplicity, balance, and the spiritual journey of life.
Why it matters: Taoist philosophy is both poetic and practical, offering guidance on how to live in harmony with the world. Dr. Holly Roberts’ translation and interpretation is accessible and inspiring.
Perfect for those seeking understanding of Chinese philosophy and its poetic wisdom.
The Vegetarian Philosophy of India
The Vegetarian Philosophy of India explores India’s sacred traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, tracing the cultural, spiritual, and ethical roots that led to India’s vegetarian values. Beginning with the Indus Valley civilization, the book begins with the creation of the Hindu Vedas and Upanishads, and their evolution over thousands of years. Step-by-step, Dr. Roberts plots Hinduism’s path from: perceiving God in all that is seen and all that is unseen; to seeing God in all creation and all creatures; and culminating in India’s philosophy of vegetarianism. The book also follows this path as it flows to Buddhism and Jainism. This knowledge is invaluable to understanding the evolution of vegetarian values on the sub-continent of India.
Why it matters: India’s vegetarian heritage is a gift to the world, offering insight into compassion and respect for all creation and all of its creatures.
📖 A valuable resource for readers of Indian philosophy, cultural studies, and vegetarian ethics.
Junia: Gentle Soul of the Holocaust
Junia Baum was a young Jewish girl living in Eastern Europe when the Germans invaded her town. The Germans were on a mission to kill every Jewish man, woman, and child on the continent. They took the lives of Junia’s father, sister, other relatives, and friends. Junia and her mother, Zlata, survived by hiding in an attic, an aunt’s cellar, a ghetto crawl space, and a bunker deep within the Carpathian forest. Yet through all of this, Junia was able to maintain the purest, kindest, and gentlest of souls. Junia was Dr. Roberts’ cousin. The scars of fear remained with Junia her entire life, by the gentleness of her soul never left. This heavily illustrated book contains her story.
Why it matters: It is important to document every Holocaust story to preserve the memory of those who suffered or lost their lives, and to ensure no such slaughter ever occurs again.
This heavily illustrated book is a valuable resource, particularly, for young readers of the Holocaust.
