[1] Barstow was educated in Buddhist studies at Hampshire College and Kathmandu University where he obtained his B.A.
[3] In 2017, Barstow authored Food of Sinful Demons: Meat, Vegetarianism and the Limits of Buddhism in Tibet, which has been positively reviewed.
[4][5][6][7] It is the first academic book to significantly explore vegetarianism in Tibet in its cultural and religious context.
[4] James Stewart in the Journal of Buddhist Ethics described it as "a comprehensive study of Tibetan vegetarianism within the context of the pre-communist era.
It is a pleasurable read, thoughtfully written, and deploys well supported arguments that draw upon a wealth of Buddhist literature.