Book Description

PLEASE NOTE: This book is scheduled to ship in March. By purchasing it now, you are PRE-ORDERING this book. Your book will ship by March 20th. THANK YOU!

As a "voice for the voiceless," Jim Willis touches human hearts as deftly as he bonds with the animals he rescues. His writings have inspired animal lovers around the world in over a dozen languages. Now, with publication of his collected writings in the USA and the UK, the Author has made a generous arrangement with the publishers that can benefit the fundraising efforts of all animal rescue, conservation and environmental groups.

In Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature the author paints an emotional rainbow with a palette akin to Thoreau, Khalil Gibran, James Thurber, Chief Seattle, and James Herriot. Pieces of My Heart encompasses favorites such as "We Are Their Heroes," "How Could You?," "The Basset Chronicles," and "The Zen of Cat," as well as a treasure-trove of new writings. Included is an Appendix of suggestions and resources for helping animals; and a Foreword by Dr. Marc Bekoff, author of Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart and co-founder with Dr. Jane Goodall of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies. Illustrated by Christine J. Head. (Softcover, 312 pages.)

Pieces of My Heart is a soulful, heartfelt tribute to animals and a plea for compassion. As you immerse yourself in its truths you'll reach for the nearest animal to hug, you'll smile through tears, and you'll feel the urge to run barefoot in the grass. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

beautiful book that is a handbood for compassion
I just gave this book as a gift to a friend's thirteen-year-old daughter. (I also have my own copy!) She was mesmerized by it. I gave it to her because she has always been an "animal person" for all of her young life, and this book is the best handbook that I know of to help her understand what this calling and passion for animals is all about. Jim Willis speaks to the animal person in all of us. He beautifully describes, explores and celebrates the bond that we have with our animals. This book has something to say to just about everyone, but it speaks especially to those of us who work to protect, rescue, rehabilitate and advocate for so many animals that have no one to speak for them. It is educational - in the beautifully written words and images, there is so much information and wisdom. Anyone who reads this book will be changed by it. We all need to read it.

There are still Hero's
One of the best and heartwarming books I have read in a very long time. May we all be blessed to know the love and joy of a rescued animal...those of you that have never adopted a pet, are really missing something...Read the book, and your heart will know what a wonderful, loving man Jim Willis is. Then, I pray you will make a visit to your local rescue, dog shelter or SPCA and make a difference in just one little life. We can't rescue them all but we can make a difference to the one we saved...Jim's book is a true example of that! Rescue animals have a way of making you feel THEY rescued you, and in Jim's words you will see it so.

Million stars for this one!
Jim Willis quickly joined a short list of my very personal Special People.
I haven't even finished it but am so eager to put it in writing how very lovely and touching this book is.
Jim's heart is that of a genuine animal lover - and I am an expert in telling them apart (lol).

What a wonderful idea of arranging the fund raising with the publisher - I'm definitely going to use it and telling others to do so.
Many thanks for "Pieces of My Heart" - in loving animals hearts of we are all united!

I first learned about "Pieces of My Heart" on the page of "Dominion" by Matthew Scully.
(another "must" is "Animal Underworld" by Alan Green, both an eye openers!

As to my very personal Sweethearts - they are:

Louis Dorfman,
who moved my heart with just one sentence about his domesticated animals and practically changed my life.
He posted it on a message board, not related to animals, where we were all anonymous and it took me a few months of a difficult search to find out who he was).
You will love his "Dakar, A Wolf's Adventure"! -so beautiful!

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin -
Love of my life -
not exactly about the animals, but there will be at least one person out there whose heart and mind he will touch.

Inspiring, logical, heartfelt..., ...., the list goes on...
I purchased this book at a local benefit for homeless animals and it was the best money I've ever spent. In it are wonderful ways to become more involved in the causes that can help save innocent animals both in your commuity and globally. The book features the story, "How Could You?" which is guaranteed to leave you in tears. However, there are other stories which will bring smiles and laughter too. A great read and a book that will have a permanent place on my bookshelf. Buy this book!

If you love an animal, read this book!
I have the pleasure of knowing Jim personally but only recently had the opportunity to read the book. I laughed, I cried, I adored every word in between those 2 covers. This book brings everything you feel for an animal or have ever felt for an animal to the surface of your conscienceness and lays it out in front of you. It makes you hug your animals and rejoice in their existance. Every animal lover should read this book immediately. It will help you to come to a greater understanding of our lives with them and our responsabilities towards them, not only the ones that we actually personally know, but all that can be affectd by our actions. Thank you, Jim. ... Read more

Book Description

This story exposes the awful truth behind the multi-billion dollar Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Through the lives of two innocent horses we discover the painful fate of many. We follow the development of their breed from its beginning to the present. Equine nobility, innocence, and truth, grapple with human cruelty, greed, and duplicity.

Spirit horses from the past haunt the dreams of the young stallion at the center of the story and, along with his older and wiser stablemate, help him come to grips with what he is going through and what he must do. It is an epic battle that continues after the final pages are turned, entrusting the reader with the knowledge of blatant atrocities, which cannot be ignored. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Finally the Truth!
I showed pleasure Tennessee Walking horses for years and a padded horse on one occasion. I saw most all of the things mentioned in this book done to these wonderful horses, with perhaps one exception. Although I never sored any of my own personal horses, due to the fact I love them too much and a blue ribbon isn't that important to me, I was shown how to do it and encouraged to do it and did show horses which were sore (although I was not their owner but was riding them for their owner). I cared to much about my animals to sore them and was very interested in reading this book when I found out about it. It is pretty painful to read but it is very honest in describing what does happen to these wonderful horses. Unfortunately today the plantation pleasure horses are going through as much as the padded horses, only minus the pads. If only they could talk and Mr. Davis has done a really nice job giving them their due. I hope this book will enlighten many, but at the same time will not turn anyone away from this breed because it is a wonderful breed to own, ride and show; and all these things can be done successfully without abusing the horses. Funny how the characters in this book really remind me of some of the exact big time walking horse trainers and showmen I know of.

What thousands of walking horses would say . . .
I have owned Tennessee walking horses for years, but I never understood exactly what they went through in the industry's notion of "show training." Now I do. I felt like I came to know the young horse. I read the book in one sitting and then passed it on to another horse owner. It is hard to put down, and even harder to get over the anger it engenders. But it is not all hard reading. It captures the feelings of the show barn and the trainers and owners. Others have told me that this book speaks the truth.

The Brutal Truth About A Million $$$ Industry
Finally, a book that is sensitive and sympathetic to the horse abuse that goes on behind closed-doors everyday in horse barns all over the country, but especially the south. The Tennessee Walking Horse has generated millions of dollars for the economy, and is 'hushed' by powerful lobbyists that contribute to higher political powers. The Tennessee Walking Horse has never had a 'voice', until now. This book exposes the dirty secrets of the trainers and stables through the voice of the horse, as told by the horse. Its about time! An animal lover's book at its finest!

Reveals the Awful Sad truth
Although this well written book is fiction, it is based upon the SAD facts that many horses in the Tennessee Walking Horse show industry must endure. Very educational for those that are not aware of the abuse these poor horses suffer. ... Read more

Book Description

"This is an impassioned, fascinating, and in many ways startling book." --Cass Sunstein, New York Times Book Review. Rattling the Cage explains how the failure to recognize the basic legal rights of chimpanzees and bonobos in light of modern scientific findings creates a glaring contradiction in our law. In this witty, moving, persuasive, and impeccably researched argument, Wise demonstrates that the cognitive, emotional, and social capacities of these apes entitle them to freedom from imprisonment and abuse. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A step in the right direction
For as long as anyone can remember animals have been property of humans. Opinions differ as to why, ranging from god given rights of dominion, to levels of moral considerability, but the end result is generally the same, humans can own animals, and use them for any of a variety of purposes; no question. An animal, despite being a sentient being, in our current American legal system has no more rights to protect it from enslavement or bodily harm than say, a toaster, or a rock. Today we are learning more and more about our human place in the world, and in this investigation many are beginning to question our role as caretakers or rulers of other beings. Steven Wise is one such person. He questions the right of humans to deny sentient creatures legal personhood. What is it about humans, other than tradition and precedent, that fosters the continued enslavement and cruel treatment of nonhuman animals? In this book he focuses particularly on chimpanzees and bonobos, who are humans closest genetic relatives. Wise refers to a wide variety of philosophers, scientific findings, and legal precedents to make this book a compelling testament towards the legal personhood of nonhuman animals.
Wise begins this book by telling the story of Jerom, a chimpanzee who lived and died at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. Jerom was intentionally infected with several strains of HIV over his time at the center. When Jerom was near death another chimpanzee, Nathan, was injected with Jerom's blood, which will likely (if it has not already happened) cause his death as well. Wise dedicated this book to Jerom, writing on the dedication page: For Jerom, a person, not a thing.
He continues on to write about a legal wall that exists in our society. It has been standing since the dawn of human laws, separating us humans from everything nonhuman, denying legal rights to anything not on our side of the wall. It is the goal of people like Wise and others of similar philosophies to demolish this wall and grant legal considerability to those nonhuman creatures deserving of such respect. He agrees that not all animals should have as full legal rights as a fully cognizant adult human, but that chimpanzees and bonobos in particular are deserving of protection from enslavement, and invasive bodily harm. He is not asking for chimps to be allowed to vote, but for the American legal system to recognize something other than human as a living being, something deserving of more rights than a toaster.
Wise discusses the history of common law, and its role in the development of our current system. Not so long ago different groups of humans were denied basic rights by this system, i.e. slaves, women, and other minorities. During the era of slavery in America it was nearly unheard of to consider a slave a human being. They had no legal rights, although it is apparent that they are indeed human beings. Darwin stated that only members of the same species are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring, and members of different races around the world have proven that skin color has nothing to do with ones humanity. However, at the time in history the law did not recognize them, and it was up to the supporters of equality to fight within the system to attain it. Today we look back at the perpetuation of such oppression with much shame and anger. The fact that it was allowed to exist for so long fuels the indignation of the nation. Wise and those like him are hoping that someday animal enslavement will also be an unsavory relic of the past.
In the following chapters Wise supports his theories with scientific data supporting the existence of animal minds. It is impossible to prove that anything is conscious, you and I included, but science shows as closely as possible that chimpanzee and bonobo minds work in very similar ways to human brains. As nearly as we can tell they are capable of emotion, and most certainly pain and suffering. Wise uses these reasons to claim for nonhuman animals the same basic rights that we claim for humans.
Wise, despite being a lawyer, writes in a very conversational tone, inviting the reader to join him on this journey that is easily understood by non-lawyers. All of his arguments are set out in logical procession, marked with humor and some very poignant reflections. There are many strong arguments supporting this issue, but until this book appeared there had been very few resources pulling all of them together in one deeply compelling web of logic and compassion. Wise is incredibly thorough in his arguments, attacking the problem from every angle, philosophical as well as legal and scientific. Just how many different sources of opinion and fact went into the making of this book is shown somewhat by the 66 pages of citations at the end of the book. He was able to filter through ages of legal studies, as well as scientific theory to create this work, the final product being a clear and concise jewel of a book.
The issue at stake in this book is one of life and death to those concerned. It is too late for countless animals that have been forced to suffer and die in laboratories, furthering science to preserve their captors, humans. This is a tragic loss, but as long as there are authors and activists like Steven Wise, Jane Goodall, (who wrote the forward to this book) and many other dedicated individuals and groups we may live to see nonhuman animal enslavement diminished, if not eradicated. This book is setting the stage for further motions in future generations. If this generation can put holes in the wall Wise discussed early in the book, allowing some nonhuman animals to come over to our side, at least in this author's humble opinion, it is a step in the right direction.

The case for chimpanzee and bonobo personhood.
Steven Wise, a professor of law at Harvard University presents a compelling case for re-defining the legal status of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees and bonobos (pigmy chimps) from "thinghood" to "personhood". He traces the history of the legal staus of animals from early middle- and near-eastern writings such as the Code of Hammurabi and the Pentateuch, through European and English common law up to the present, using material and precedents derived from the great human rights struggles of the past century. He demonstrates that the materials for such a shift in legal definiton already exist. All that is missing is a great judge who will make a decision that radically restructures already existing precedents while reaffirming fundamental principles. Professor Wise draws on a wide body of knowledge including the legal history of slavery, definitions of consciousness, similarities of chimpanzee and bonobo DNA and brain structure, the work of Jane Goodall and Roger Fouts and childhood developmental stages. This scholarly, excellently researched book (which is also very readable) brings us up to date on the arguments for re-defining creatures, who share with us 97% of DNA, as persons under the law.

Boldhearted and Enlightened
This book is going to upset people. It disturbs the neat-and-tidy dogmatically unexamined distinctions and presuppositions the human species has comforted itself with. Egos will be provoked, neurotic delusions of human specialness will rise to the surface. (Case in point: The readers from Boston, and Woodland Hills, Ca.; both typical representatives of the cowardly herd-mentality which guarantees the limitless defilement of our fellow-beings, justifying their lack of intelligence and monstrous spiritual backwardness by means of a bogus religious anthropocentrism.)

Logical, Articulate, Compelling
The author's main goal is to effectively motivate the importance of establishing the legal "personhood" of chimpanzees and bonobos based on, among other things, their astounding genetic similarity to humans. His arguments are strong and convincing. Early on, the book guides the reader through the basics of modern and ancient legal systems. Later, many cases of chimpanzee and bonobo intelligence are meticulously documented. I learned a lot not only about animal cognition, but also about legal traditions. The possibilities for grand-scale changes are tantalizing. I predict this book will be the first rumble in an earthquake of changes to the way non-human animals are viewed by the law.

A book like this will inevitably generate controversy and harsh criticism. Back when women were considered inferior to men, there were countless opponents to granting all humans the right to vote regardless of gender. Similarly, people who enslaved African Americans spoke out against establishing human rights that would apply to all regardless of race; in fact many threatened or even physically harmed folks who took a view counter to their own. Along the same lines, there will be many cowardly individuals who feel falsely endangered by an argument that paves the way toward the introduction of basic rights for non-humans. But the revolution has begun.

Steven Wise has earned my profound respect. This is an excellent book.

Disappointing And Offensive
I want my money back! Appealing title and cover reeled me in, I admit it. Only, once I opened the book I found page after page of the author's diatribe agains Christianity. Well, I am a Christian and that faith strengthens, not weakens my resolve to treat all of God's creatures with love and understanding. Too bad the author has a chip on his shoulder and I'm very sorry to see Jane Goodall associating herself with this book, especially since she spoke at my church headquarters in Missouri a couple of years ago as we gave her an award. As for me and my cat, we'd rather cuddle up together in a big chair and read the book of Daniel. (His favorite) ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Unintentionally hilarious
This book is interesting chiefly as an extreme example of a rhetorical style that is altogether too much with us. It will either annoy or amuse you, depending on your taste for irony.

There may in fact be some deep relationship between carnivory and maleness, or vegetarianism and femaleness. Those who wonder why would probably find more pertinent data in the realm of evolutionary anthropology, rather than in stilted and implausible over-interpretations of advertising and other pop culture ephemera.

You will marvel at the author's faith in the magical power of words and pictures: by changing them, we can change the world. Believe this, and all social and politcal action can be carried out safely from within the ivory tower.

Both rigorous and eccentric diets born of body-image problems, and a sort of maudlin sentimentality our great-grandmothers would have had no leisure for, are much too close to the stereotypical notions of conventional femininity. In her zeal to denounce patriarchy and carnivory, this author seems to have embraced them.

Still, it's an interestingly over-the-top example of this type of rhetorical style, and as such has some entertainment value despite itself.

The Semiotics of Meat
Does eating rice bring "wholeness to our fragmented relationships"? Carol Adams believes that it can, and in this beautifully crafted work she lays out the entire argument. She does not minimize her personal revulsion toward the eating of meat, and the meat industry, but she ventures widely - from there.

This serious, disturbing, and well-researched book covers many interrelated topics, among them women, linguistics, animal rights, violence and terror, political resistance and patriarchy.

Food's meaning and importance to sustenance, spirituality, ritual and symbol and more - is undisputed. Adams' interesting, accessible, and scholarly polemic builds a solid foundation for her fervent wish that feminists embrace vegetarianism, or more accurately, veganism - the rejection of all animal-based foodstuffs.

But Hitler was a vegetarian and an animal lover; and until I got to Adams' deconstruction of that seemingly hideous contradiction, I thought, "There goes the notion of the moral weight of eating habits!" But Adams tackles the topic of Hitler's vegetarianism (for example)efficiently and convincingly, and in doing so removes him from the discussion.

This is a serious, disturbing, and well-researched book. Adams sounds a rational and convincing call for all people with control over what they may choose to consume - to live and eat deliberately and mindfully. Definitely worth reading.

Wow!
I just ate a steak. Last night I had a veal cutlet with a white wine sauce. When I woke up this morning I found that, for some strange reason I had developed a hostility toward women. So, in light of this revelation, I now believe the thesis of this twisted book. BBQ ribs anyone?

This Book is Crucial
I could go on & on about this book. It is one the most inspiring and thought-provoking books I've ever read. I first read this book around the time I became a Vegan, developed a serious interest in Sociology, and earned a greater respect for Feminism. To truly appreciate and understand this book, one has to read it with an open mind. Some of the concepts and theories may seem extreme or abstract at first, but I suggest that people give Adams's text time to marinate.

Adams Gives Gives Voice to Historical Vegetarian Authors
Too long has vegetarian history been wrongfully called modern or faddish; Adams addresses this and explains how the messages of vegetarian authors have been muted, leading to these misconceptions. This book is a great help in giving historical examples of vegetarian authors (though mostly modern female writers) as well as how the writers assembled the messages in the texts. The first part of this book focuses on definitions and historical overviews of the treatment of animals and women. The second part gets to the literary examples, author techniques, and audience trivialization and/or dismissal of vegetarian messages. Now, when I read or hear someone discussing vegetarian authors such as Wells, Plato, Shelley, Shaw, etc., I will always have a historical and psychological awareness of how both their contemporaries and mine never had or will never have the entire messages acknowledged. I would especially recommend this book to any vegetarian and encourage him/her to read as many books by historical vegetarians as possble. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

An Easy & Enjoyable Read, But Not Much Substance
As an animal rights advocate, I have mixed feelings about both ALF and PETA. While I understand why some people resort to direct action, I'm unsure as to whether it actually hurts the movement in the long run.

Having said that, I found this book to be inspirational, but overall rather bland. "Free the Animals" reads like a novel, but one aimed at adolescents. It's a bit long, but goes quickly, as its writing style is rather juvenile. The story is a moving one, but ultimately I didn't really gain anything by reading it; it's comprised mostly of anectdotes rather than providing a comprehensive overview of animal experimentation (to be fair, it doesn't claim to do so). It was hardly impartial, especially in regards to PETA, as it was written by Ingrid Newkirk (PETA's role in some of the incidents seemed to be over-exaggerated to me).

This book, in my opinion, would make an appropriate gift for a high-schooler who's interested in animals but hasn't yet adopted a humane (read: vegetarian or vegan) lifestyle. I would describe the book's reading level as young adult, and it should be enough to inspire an AR ethic in any concerned animal lover (another good book for this purpose would be "Slaughterhouse" by Gail Eisnitz). However, don't buy this book if you're looking for anything more.

READ THIS BOOK
This is a wonderful, moving, inspiring book. It tells the story of "Valerie," the woman who started the Animal Liberation Front in America. It's told beautifully and you will find yourself cheering the ALF on throughought the book. It reveals the HORRORS that animals go through for experimentation purposes. The picture of "Britches" before and after brought me to tears. I love this book. I recommend it to everyone.

Real Life Suspense Thriller
This was as good as any fictional suspense thriller. I was on the edge of my seat as the ALF conducted their raids, at all times trying to evade being detected or arrested. After reading this, you will realize the foolishness of most animal experimentation and the greediness and callousness of those who do it. Why hasn't this been made into a movie? There are a lot of young Hollywood vegetarians who could star in it!

Animal Liberation Front, please
Humans are the only species that matters on earth. Animals, all animals were put here by God for our use. Animal rights is an oxymoron. Animals have no rights. Animals are ours for us to do whatever we want, whenever want. Is John Travolta an animal? I don't know. Anyway, save your money, buy a hat or something. But don't buy this book.

now available as a book on tape! :)
This is an excellent book that all should read and learn from. It has recently become available as a book on tape, read by Ingrid Newkirk herself; PETA sells it. Get them both! ... Read more

Book Description

In this easy-to-read introduction, law professor and animal rights advocate Gary Francione looks at our conventional moral thinking about animals. Using examples, analogies, and thought-experiments, he reveals the dramatic inconsistency between what we say we believe about animals and how we actually treat them. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Francione not realistic and nor constructive
Francione's premise is that animal's status as property allows egregious abuse for convenience sake. This is true, but convincing people that every animal should not be property would be much harder than simply eliminating most of the abuses themselves. The probability of convincing even a sizeable minority of Francione's "all or nothing" dogma is virtually zero. If his is the only road to a better life for the animals, then non-human beings are doomed. I believe Peter Singer's Animal Liberation is the more realistic philosphy, which spawned a booming movement in the late 70s and 80s. Singer's follow-up book Ethics in Action, (biography of successful Animal Rights activist, the late Henry Spira), gives the tactical instruction that activists need to get animal advocacy into the mainstream.

Animal rights- back to basics
The animal rights "movement" has become somewhat convoluted and to someone trying to familiarize themselves with animal rights theory for the first time, or to someone struggling to stay true to a pure animal rights approach, the mixed messages put out by self-proclaimed animal advocates can be very confusing. While many of today's animal "activists" are chosing to focus on taking small, incremental steps under a welfarist approach, Francione maintains that the insitutionalized use of animals as means to human ends is always anti-thetical to a true animal rights position, no matter how "well" or "humanely" exploited animals are treated. Francione's holistic approach makes animal rights theory accessible to everyone.

an excellent introduction
This book is an excellent resource for factual information regarding the abuse and exploitation of animals in our society.

It is also an excellent introduction to the laws that regulate such exploitation. Basically, US law is that if ANY abuse -- ANY infliction of pain and suffering, ANY torture, death for ANY reason, no matter how horrendous -- is either "routine" (that is, commonly done; the industry standard) or overseen by someone with a degree in science (i.e., some vivisector) then the law permits it. Recently, laws have been proposed to make those who try to protect animals from such abuse labelled "terrorists": the real terrorists are the goverment-, med- & vet-school, and university-sponsored abusers themselves, of course.

Readers will learn a lot from this book. They should, however, take the more "philosophical" aspects of the book with a grain of salt. Francione is provocative, but his claims about what kind of advocacy "real" animal rights advocates can engage in, what tactics will (if any) really succeed in the long run, and his criticisms of some philosophers are often not as carefully defended as they should be.

Nevertheless, for the factual information alone, this book really is an excellent introduction to the issues. Very highly recommended.

The most succinct and thorough animal rights book
The three most well known authors of 'animal rights' books are Tom Regan, Peter Singer and Gary Francione.
Tom Regan's writing is good but I find it has inconsistencies, for example, he attributes non-human animals with inherent value, yet he asserts without justification that killing a human causes more harm to a human than killing a dog causes harm to a dog. Also, he draws the moral line between mammals and the rest of sentient life. Surely sentience, the ability to be the subject of experiences (both painful and pleasurable experiences), is the only factor that has an impact on the moral matter of our treatment of animals. A non-human animal may never experience the pleasure of playing a musical instrument or writing a piece of music, the satisfaction of completing a challenging essay or the stimulation of a game of chess - but neither will most humans. Whatsmore, I will never be able to experience the euphoria of smelling a multitude of scents at the park, the amazing anticipation of going for a run that my dog experiences and the joy of fetching a ball. These experiences are all subjective - to a dog (as an example of a non-human animal) going for a walk is as exciting as composing a piece of music and playing tug of war over a rubber toy is as fun as human competitive sport. We can't say that because the things animals derive pleasure from are not typically what we derive pleasure from that their experiences don't matter as much as ours. Going for an explore in the park amongst the myriad of sights, sounds and smells is to a dog what life is all about.
Of Peter Singer I say this, his writing is commonly confused as animal rights writing - he does talk about AR, but in no way does he support it. Peter Singer does not think using an animal for human ends (e.g., killing an animal to eat it, use in experiments or otherwise utilize) is wrong. He believes non-human animals (perhaps with the exclusion of the great apes - his reasoning: they are too alike to normal humans) are property for 'normal' humans to utilize as long as 'suffering' is minimalised. Singer draws an arbitrary line to protect 'normal' humans like himself from exploitation whilst justifying the exploitation of those who fall below the arbitrary line.
Francione on the other hand, argues that sentience is the only thing that matters in the determination of whether a being has the basic right to freedom from expoitation. He argues his case for animal rights clearly, thoroughly and succinctly without the major inconsistencies that appear in Singers and Regans work. At the end of the book he has provided commonly occuring questions and his respective answers. I found his answers intelligent, original and highly persuasive.
Francione's book is the bible (without the Judeo-Christian dogma) of the true Animal Rights movement. It is a must buy. Regan's work is still important and worth looking at because we must still recognise the importance of his pioneering efforts in animal ethics. Singers work should only be borrowed from the library - to be able to effectively deal with utilitarian arguments when they are presented.
Note: I have a sneaking suspicion that Singer or one of his clones (PETA??) was responsible for the reviews: "Francione not realistic and nor constructive" and "Going down a well travelled path". Singer must be very defensive now that his 'ivory'(the death of the elephants was relatively painless he assures you) tower that he built from sales of 'Animal Liberation' is starting to crumble. The big Animal Welfare organisations also have a lot to lose from Francione's criticism - they get a lot of revenue... from people who think their money is going to be put to good use.

It caused me to become vegan (and I am grateful for it)
This is an amazing book. Eloquently written, well-thought out arguments, facts to back up their arguements. If everyone read this book, I don't see how our world would be the same. We would be unable to continue our misuse of animals without, at the vary least, a guilty conscience of knowing what we are doing is wrong. Highly recommend to anyone whether or not you already believe in animal rights. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

excellent book on animal/human relations
Joe Gaziano from Chicago, Illinois , November 24, 1998 An excellent book that explains human/animal relations Unnatural Order establishes Jim Mason as one of the important intellectuals of the Animal Rights Movement. Mason provides a thoughtful and readable analysis of the relationship of people to animals throughout history. In this book Mason demonstrates how the changes in animal/people relationships have, over time, dramatically altered human existence. In much of the early history of humanity people lived in harmony with animals. Nature was viewed as containing fellow creatures with many of the same characteristics as people. Animals were revered and respeced. The move to an agricultural society where increasing numbers of animals became food resulted in a shift of consciousness. The culture became one in which humans were seen as dominant over and superior to animals. Humans increasingly separated themselves from nature and the animals, often denying their own animal nature. The result is a human culture divorced from nature and suffering from all the ill effects that such a society produces. Mason's book should be read by every vegetarian and animal rights advocate. It is sure to be a classic in the field.

An excellent book that explains human/animal relations
Unnatural Order establishes Jim Mason as one of the important intellectuals of the Animal Rights Movement. Mason provides a thoughtful and readable analysis of the relationship of people to animals throughout history. In this book Mason demonstrates how the changes in animal/people relationships have, over time, dramatically altered human existence. In much of the early history of humanity people lived in harmony with animals. Nature was viewed as containing fellow creatures with many of the same characteristics as people. Animals were revered and respeced. The move to an agricultural society where increasing numbers of animals became food resulted in a shift of consciousness. The culture became one in which humans were seen as dominant over and superior to animals. Humans increasingly separated themselves from nature and the animals, often denying their own animal nature. The result is a human culture divorced from nature and suffering from all the ill effects that such a society produces. Mason's book should be read by every vegetarian and animal rights advocate. It is sure to be a classic in the field.

Brilliant...
Buy a copy of this book for everyone you know!!!

A roadmap for the 21st Century
In 1892, Henry Salt published the book Animals' Rights. While it was not totally ignored, it took nearly another century for the modern "Animal Rights" movement to begin, after the appearance of Peter Singer's Animal Liberation in 1975.

When reading An Unnatural Order it will be difficult to not get the impression that Jim Mason is a visionary, on par with Henry Salt. We are privileged to have Mason as a contemporary. Years from now people could easily look back on him as the spark that helped reverse the course of destruction humans were on at the end of the 20th Century. Unfortunately, as with the ideas in it-and like Salt's work-An Unnatural Order has been largely ignored. Like a great movie that no one has seen, the fault for this must lay with lack of promotion. This review is appearing several years after the book's publication. This is unfortunate. An Unnatural Order is an important book.

"This book is written in hope and celebration. My hope is that we have the strength to rid ourselves of the destructive strands in Western culture," Mason begins. These destructive strands manifest themselves in the "Nature Question." Grossly simplified, the Nature Question is the intellectual belief that somewhere in our evolutionary past our ancestors broke their bonds with the living earth and put Homo sapiens above all other life on the planet, resulting in our species having no sense of kinship with other life nor any sense of belonging. The earth is beneath us; we are alienated from nature.

Mason continues "It is now time to bring this question into popular discussion, and I hope this book is a start." The roots of our alienation are deep-and deeply explored. Thirty pages are devoted to identifying dominionism. A picture of the world before agriculture-the seed of dominionism-is painted. Using current research and extensive references, a vivid portrait results that is as believable as any anthropologist's.

An all-things-are-connected web is spun, touching animal-human history and relationships; the crossover to agriculture; misogyny and misothery (the author's invention for "an attitude of hatred and contempt for animals and nature"); racism, colonialism, and dominionism. The breadth of his discussion is extensive and not every reader will agree with all of Mason's personal viewpoints. It irrelevant. In the long run one will feel certain that the book hits the mark of verity.

The final chapter brings it all together and offers Mason's broad outline for what needs to be done to turn dominionism around. He shows how the awareness of our social and environmental problems is widely known, citing the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, quoting political leaders and scholars, and referencing a who's who list of environmental writers, who he concludes all have the same message: "Humanity needs fundamental changes in its relationship with nature."

Supplying the missing piece, Mason states: "All having laid down such strong rhetoric, however, the movers and shakers, with rare exceptions, stop dead in their tracks when they approach the Animal Question. The Animal Question is regarded as illegitimate, silly, peripheral." To address the Animal Question reduces ones credibility. Driving home the point, Mason ponders how Christopher Stone's landmark 1972 article "Should Trees Have Standing?" would have been received had he written "Should Chimpanzees Have Standing?" He concludes that the Animal Question "is the very heart" of the Nature Question. The two cannot be separated. In order to make any progress toward healing our dominionist worldview, this gap must be bridged.

In the last few years some headway seems to have been made in this area. For too long the wedge that existed between "animal" and "environmental" groups has done all harm and no good. Since An Unnatural Order's publicatiom, there has been a call for unity as well as a more serious acceptance of the "Animal Question." Peter Singer's 1993 book and continued efforts with The Great Ape Project; the publication of When Elephants Weep by Jeffrey Masson and Susan McCarthy; and E magazine, which, beginning with its September/October 1995 issue, published a three-part series "to promote a dialogue between these two disparate communities," are just a few. Hopefully this is the start of serious progress.

In 1993, Jim Mason's An Unnatural Order appeared. While not totally ignored, there may never be a "modern dominionism" movement. If the message in his book is even remotely accurate, our culture cannot wait 80 years for some as-yet-unborn author to rediscover An Unnatural Order's message.

Joseph Connelly

A 'must read' for anyone who cares about nature and animals
Why are we the most violent and destructive species on this planet? In "An Unnatural Order", Jim Mason tells us. He opens with a clarification of the philosophy of 'dominionism' as expounded in most religions, and declares it as the principle at the root of human violence and warfare. He presents the case that there was a time when humans got along rather well with each other and the rest of nature. It was the time of the forager, mistakenly called the time of the hunter/gatherer by those looking through the filter of western philosophy and religion. For many thousands of years, Homo sapiens did not do much meat-eating or hunting, until widespread, organized hunting appears some 20,000 years ago. When foragers became hunters, and hunters became herdsmen, their view of nature changed from one of provider to one of enemy, and the notion of human supremacy was born. The non human animals, once seen as ancestors, neighbors, teachers and kin, began to be thought of as inferior, dangerous and evil, or simply commodities. With the advent of agriculture, and especially animal agriculture, ideas about a hierarchy of being, ownership of property, patriarchy, domination and exploitation begin to take over human culture. The idea of a male god, with man just below, and women, 'primitive' people and the other animals, below men, became the mindset of the "northern tribes." It was eventually sanctified by western religions and remains the dominant worldview today. Mason takes us on a journey through human history, unfettered by human ego, thoroughly explaining our dissociation from nature and animals, and the resulting losses, both pyschologically and spiritually. He probes deep, and finds the origins of warfare, racism, sexism, religionism and colonialism. He challenges the idea that agriculture was a great human achievement, arguing that it gave us repeating cycles of increased production and growth only at the expense of the environment and the animals that we enslaved. The result has not been success for all humans, but actually an increase in human starvation and suffering, caused by the human population explosion and the misuse of resources. Enslavement of non humans and then humans, followed by the introduction of organized warfare, are the results of the hunter / herder mentality that replaced the original cooperative, egalitarian nature of human culture. Mason, does not simply chronicle our mistakes, he seeks out causes, and offers solutions. He does not blame farmers for the disasters of agriculture, nor does he call for an end to religion. Instead he calls for a new approach to farming, and the return to the family farm, by the re-introduction of sustainable, humane farming methods. Likewise, he calls for a re-discovery of the suppressed voices of progressive theologians who have spoken out against dominionism for centuries. He asks us to re-evaluate our ideas of human supremacy and accept our proper role as a part of nature, not something above it. His approach is unique among most writers -- the preservationists, environmentalists or even the deep ecologists -- as he dares to ask "the animal question." When will we admit to the psychological lives of the other animals, and take this into consideration in our dealings with them? Do they exist just for us? Or are they part of our family, deserving every bit as much consideration as those of "our own kind." ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Must Read for Animal Lovers!!!!
I loved this book! I'm ordering another one because mine is getting so dogged-eared from passing it around. I work with many animal organizations and am truly impressed with Best Friends! I was hestitant about ordering another animal story book because they often have heartbreaking, awful stories about the misery of so many. This book is different! It gives hope and a wonderful feeling that there are so many out there to help our animal friends. It tells the story of the people who pulled this wonderful organization together and of the many residents who were so fortunate to find their way to this sanctuary. I really felt like I got to know all the animals written about in this book. It was delightful to get to know all different personalities! Thank you for telling the story in such a positive, up-lifting manner! Not only am I making it a point now to visit Best Friends, I have become a Guardian Angel supporter!

Make these people & animals your Best Friends!
I bought this book when I visited Best Friends about 2 years ago but only just read it. Why the delay? I was expecting lots of negative stories - people abusing animals, etc. When I finally picked the book up to read I zipped through it quickly amazed at the powerfully positive messages. Yes, there are stories of the bad things that humans do to animals but these are used to highlight the good things that humans can do if they make the choice to care.

Almost more than the animal stories are those of the people who made Best Friends real. The compassionate people who saw a need and, out of their own pockets, decided to make a difference. Although the organization became (and is) public it began as a labor of love.

If you love animals you will find this book one of hope and passion. It made me wish I could pack up and move to Kanab, UT to become a full-time volunteer!

Read the book and, if you haven't already, visit the sactuary itself. It's truly a testament to what love can do.

the most wonderful rescue ever!
The story of Tommy and Tyson's rescue at the start of the book is the most wonderful rescue story I have ever read! Lydia, who rescued Tommy and Tyson, is a hero and an angel. I wish I could thank her in person, and I strive to someday do something that wonderful! The rescue stories in this book are so inspiring!

Heh... Sure. If you ONLY KNEW.
You people need to WAKE UP! They are Satanists. I wouldn't give a dime after this read.

Go get educated: http://bestfriends.nexuswebs.net/home.html

Heartfelt, but poorly written
It's hard to go wrong with a story like Best Friends -- all the ingredients are there for a heartwarming and inspiring tale that any animal lover would crave; best of all, it really happened.

Unfortunately, Samantha Glen gets to tell the story and this is a perfect example why heart is not enough for good writing. I am amazed by her tendency to reconstruct entire conversations, as if she was actually there when all this happened. And then you have these awkward, "Michael inquired mildly" phrases punctuated throughout the text. Aaarrrggghh!!

I would have preferred more on the front end of the book about this amazing group of people and what brought them all together and kept them together about animals. The most central part of this book is glossed over and it's regrettable.

Worth reading, but I just wish a more sophisticated writer had tackled the subject. ... Read more

Book Description

"Francione cogently argues that the Animal Liberation Movement, though using rights rhetoric and espousing the eradication of animal exploitation, actually represents a new, self-defeating welfarism because its tactics embody the animal welfare position. Consequently, the plight of animals is worse than it was twenty years ago."—Choice ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Crucial for Animal Rights Advocates
If you have embraced the idea that all sentient beings have fundamental rights--particularly the right not to be used exclusively as a resource--and have made the step to advocating on their behalf, this is the most important book you will ever read on the subject. Gary L. Francione's _Rain Without Thunder: The Ideology of the Animal Rights Movement_ literally woke me up and gave me the resources I needed to avoid the seriously harmful strategy of animal welfare and new welfare. Before reading it, I took part in "bigger cages" campaigns, thought that such advocacy was helpful in the short term and had a very strong desire to continue to do so. After reading Francione's extremely compelling theoretical arguments, empirical evidence and well evidenced practical implications of different advocacy methods, I had no choice but to reject welfarism and new-welfarism in favor of a clearly defined concept of animal rights. In a nutshell, Francione's central thesis in _Rain Without Thunder_ is as follows:

In everyday language with respect to human animals, the word "welfare" has very good connotations. However, in the areas of _law_ and _institutional policy_ with respect to non-human animals, words like "welfare," "humane," "care," "unnecessary suffering," and so on only mean _one_ thing. Namely, they mean that the interests of non-human animals will be protected only to the extent necessary to exploit them in an economically efficient manner. For example, in law and policy, the welfare of a pig not to starve is protected because it is necessary to feed the pig in order to get her or his meat. The same is necessarily true of every animal welfare law and regulation. Therefore, any advocacy that attempts to achieve animal rights and the abolition of animal exploitation in the long-term by using the supposedly short-term strategy of trying to pass welfare regulations achieves only _one_ thing. Namely, if those measures are implemented, it will be further ensured that the only interests of non-human animals that will ever be protected are those that are required to exploit them efficiently. In other words, the supposed "success" of implementing a welfare measure only further ensures that the interests of other animals that are not required to exploit them efficiently will *always* be violated in the most abhorrent ways imaginable. In short, welfare measures *only* harm non-human animals and never help them.

Again, before I read Francione's arguments and evidence, I found his claim to be counter-intuitive. If this describes your views on the subject, for the sake of non-human animals who are exploited everywhere, I urge you to read and seriously consider _Rain Without Thunder_. Francione offers an excellent practical alternative to welfarist advocacy that, if followed, will further the rights of other animals on a workable *incremental* basis. As an animal rights advocate, I am extremely grateful that this book exists.

Take another look at this book.
-- IT'S 2001. The "modern animal rights movement" is a quarter-century old. How far have the advocates for more humane policies come?

We are killing well over 9 billion animals for food each year in the U.S. alone (a significant increase from 1996, when this book was published). Leaders in the animal advocacy community are praising the virtues of fast-food burger joints, displaying Playboy magazines to Congressmembers to get their points across -- whatever those points might be -- and even condoning sex with the family pet as the antidotes to speciesism. The current malaise in which the community finds itself was predicted with striking foresight and accuracy five years ago, in this book.

Anyone who is interested in how to effectively strive for social justice and non-human rights might want to take another look at Rain Without Thunder. Upon a second reading, I'm finding it important on a level I could not have appreciated five years ago, simply due to the dynamics (or antics) of the current advocacy movement.

Moreover, the books deals with the incrementalist approach to liberation in a way that is historically sound. The more one reads about abolitionist history, the more one appreciates the integrity of this book.

Now more than ever, this is an essential book for serious advocates of non-human rights and social justice.

A Must Read!
This book is a must read for anyone who considers themselves a supporter of animal rights. Francione powerfully argues that the animal rights movement has spiraled down into a animal welfare movement--a movement that has failed horribly in the past. Please read this!

Important book for the modern animal rights activist.
In "Rain Without Thunder," Francione discusses the emergence of "new welfarists" who are doing the animals more harm than good. He meticulously lays out why animal welfare cannot lead to animal liberation. And argues a need for change. This book is a must read for all animal rights activists. Unfortunately you won't see it carried by mainstream "animal rights" (which GF calles the "new welfarists")organizations, because it is much too controversial!

An important and controversial book for animal activists
Rain Without Thunder is a penetrating look at howanimal rights activism without a clear understandingof important philosophical differences between animal rights and animal welfare has led to ineffective strategies which, Francione argues, serve only to more deeply entrench the speciesist paradigms that lead to animal oppression. Francione's insights are important not only for animal rights activists, but for everyone working for social justice. The first truly original animal rights book I have seen in a long time. Read it! ... Read more

Book Description

Humane education teaches respect for all living things to people of all ages. Michelle Rivera, author of Hospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death, shows how raising awareness of the needs of animals and society’s responsibility to them can help stop not only violence against animals but also violence against humans. Out of her research and interviews with experts in psychology, education and sociology, Rivera has created a guide for all who want to begin teaching humane education in their homes, classrooms, communities, churches and organizations. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"This is the story of a brave little dog by the name of Molly--a bush dog, blind in one eye, and poor-sighted in the other." So begins Saving Molly, research veterinarian James Mahoney's introspective book about his pets and his work with lab-test animals. While on vacation in Jamaica, Mahoney stumbles upon a very sick puppy and nurses her back to health. He goes to great lengths to save Molly's life, driving for hours in search of scarce medical supplies, staying up all night to feed and medicate the forlorn creature. This experience prompts Mahoney to review his life as a pet owner, animal lover, and a man who decides which monkeys at the lab get assigned to experiments. For many years Mahoney worked with monkeys involved in AIDS and hepatitis research at New York University's Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates, also known as LEMSIP. In this book, he grapples with the difficult questions raised by his work: How can a person who loves animals subject them to the stress and pain of experimentation? After a lab animal has endured many experiments, doesn't humanity owe it a nice retirement? Which tests are justifiable, and which are not? Mahoney believes that although people do not have a right to test on animals, it is necessary, and since it is something that needs to be done, it should be done with compassion. Mahoney describes his efforts to improve living conditions for lab animals. Mostly, though, this book stays away from the lab and doesn't dwell on the details of the experiments. Instead, Mahoney focuses on happier things. He contemplates his relationships with several of the lab's chimpanzees, describing their distinct personalities. He recalls times when he saved lives and took needy animals into his own home. Mahoney clearly loves animals and derives great satisfaction from his work as a healer. This book is a thoughtful account of his struggle to make sense of his life and his work. --Jill Marquis ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Solution to Paradox: Limbo?
I used to be completely against animal experimentation. I even refused to perform required disections in high school biology, and suffered the reduction in my scores because of it. How can someone, anyone, claim on the one hand to love animals and on the other deliver them into harm? I picked up this book in the waiting room of my dentist's office, and wound up reading it in a day. I am still not in favor of animal experimentation, but I am not the opponent that I used to be, either.
The paradox of love vs. harm has left many a person feeling bereft, defenseless and searching for a clear answer. Mahoney's answer is, if not exactingly clear, at least very understandable. We cannot help but feel empathy towards those whom we love, and we shouldn't try to shut off or deny those feelings. But in the resulting flood of emotions - some positive, others not - trade out your sense of guilt (which can only be destructive) for one of responsability. Keep in mind that you are the steward of other lives, not the owner. Be compassionate.
His thoughtful journey has so many applications for anyone who feels themselves to be in this predicament. For example, "Do I put my parent in a nursing home?" or "Should I keep my loved one on artificial life support?" Mahony understands this kind of pain, and has done his best to discover and explain, through the story of Molly, what balance there is. Some day, we will not need to use animals - human or otherwise - for experimentation. But that day is a long way off. Until then, we learn to move forward as kindly and thoughtfully as we can. I recommend this book to all adults (it may be too powerful for younger readers) especially those grappling with these kind of questions in their career choice or personal relationships.

Asking the hard questions
I read this book because I hoped to gain some insight into how researchers justify using live animals as test subjects. I didn't gain any answers here. Dr. Mahoney is just as conflicted as I am about which should have paramount importance: the need to end human suffering through research breakthroughs, or the sanctity of animal life. Contrasted with disturbing stories of memorable chimpanzees who unwillingly sacrificed their freedom and their lives in the human quest to end AIDS and hepatitis, is the remarkable story of Dr. Mahoney's heroic efforts to save a desperately sick puppy. What makes one animal's life of more importance to us than another's? Dr. Mahoney provides no easy answers, but he challenges all of us by asking the hard questions. Even so, he makes several mentions of meals containing meat, and even a trip to MacDonald's for little Molly, without even touching upon the exploitation of animals for food, who perhaps suffer an even more miserable fate than research animals. But all in all, this is a well-written book that leaves the reader with much to think about.

Excellent Read!
I can't say it enough- this book is excellent! Jim Mahoney is a great story teller. I went through a phase where I read a lot of veterinary anecdote books and this is by far the best one. The focus of the book is about how he saved a puppy he found, but throughout it he tells stories of other animals throughout his career. The stories are truly touching and very well written- I was constantly reading them outloud to anyone who was around. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, not just animal lovers!! You won't be disappointed!

Very important and touching book. Read it!
I have read and re-read this book. Everytime, Dr.Mahoney's sincere account of his life with Molly and the chimps , his love for the fellow creatures and his agony over some of the hard choices he made, move me. This is a must read for everybody who wants to understand the meaning of love and understanding between human and animals.

Every animal rights activist should read this book!
No matter which side of the fence you're on regarding animal research, Dr. Mahoney's thoughtful and well written book is a must read. It's a wonderful peek into the lives of some courageous and caring individuals (animals and humans) who have given their lives to science so that all mankind may benefit. As an animal lover it's comforting to know that people like Dr. Mahoney are out there making the lives of research animals better and helping fight disease for all of us. Buy this book, read it, then make a contribution to the retirement homes of Dr. Mahoney's friends! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Rosalind Hursthouse carefully introduces one of three standard approaches in current ethical theory:utilitarianism, rights, and virtue ethics.She then proceeds to clearly explain how each approach encourages us to think about our treatment of animals.Every chapter is linked to a reading from a key exponent of each approach. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a philosophical "workbook" and skill-builder
This isn't so much a book as a "how-to" manual for learning how to do philosophy.She gives you some readings and gives you exercises that ensure that you have carefully and *charitably* read them, identified the arguments, etc.Anyone who seriously worked through this book would become a very careful and critical thinker.

The selections from Singer and Regan are good (although she could have picked better, I think) but the other selections from Midgley and Scrutin aren't so great.They strike me as somewhat obscure and the space would have been better spent with more "standard" anti-animal/pro-status quo writings.If a 2nd edition of the book were changed in that way, it'd be a lot better. ... Read more

Book Description

Animal Ingredients A to Z is the bible for vegetarians, vegans, and caring consumers. More and more, we find our everyday foods containing peculiar -ingredients_many of which are animal derived. As well as a comprehensive listing of animal ingredients, this easy-to-navigate guide contains supplemental information on vegan nutrition, food alternatives, and contact information for animal advocacy groups. Carol Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat and Bruce Friedrich, director of Vegan Outreach at PETA, offer introductions to this newly expanded edition. Finally, consumers can brave the labels at their local market with confidence.

"Every vegan should own a copy of Animal Ingredients A to Z."_Erik Marcus, author off Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating.

Reviews (12)

Detinately a book to pick up
An excellent and very informative resource for any vegan, vegetarian or anyone who's concerned about what exactly it is you're actually eating.

I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian myself and I was surprised at how many things they sneakily put into our food. I was aware of some of the more obvious things (renet, gelatin, etc.), but still stunned at things I would have never thought could contain animal products - such as beer, wine, some waxes used to polish fruits to make them look more fresh - it's astounding!

The only contention I have with this book is that it focuses mainly on American products, being written in the States it makes sense, but for a future edition I would love to see more Canadian and maybe European products added to the book.

Extremely well researched, using a variety of sources (which can be found at the end of the book) - definately a book to pick up.

A Great Book For Vegetarians, Vegans, Or Anyone Else!
This is a really great book for anyone who never knew gelatin contained animal parts in it or that lanolin contained sheep guts. The book simply tells it like it is, without nagging about the torture of animals in factory farms, and how it's not moral to eat animal parts, blah blah blah!!! I mean, if we are reading this book, we probably know the horrible torture of these animals in factory farms, and don't need to be nagged anymore. Well, anyway, I give this book five big, meaningful stars!!!

SHOCKING TRUTH!!!
Being a vegetarian for nine years I thought I knew what ingredients to look for. This book was a shocking truth to exactly what I didn't know what was in my food. The shocking truth about what gelatin is...... you wouldn't think pudding, gummy bears, and other sweet items contain this hidden ingredient. Gelatin is protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, or bones with water from cattle and hogs.

This word defined along with many other words that comes from animals are in this book.
I loved how the book is layed out in a guidelined setting. IF you
wonder like I did about what your eating vegetarian or not this book is a great book to have.

an important book for new vegans
If you're starting out in veganism, or even just trying to be a strict vegetarian, you probably want to have this book handy, although the first thing it will do is depress you. Did you know that processed sugar is refined using charcoaled animal bones? Surprise! The majority of the book is simply an alphabetical listing of animal-product-containing substances; you use it as a reference when reading ingredient labels in your cupboard or in the grocery store. Often I wished the authors had included more information about what the animal source of an ingredient was -- they don't always include this information, but they always do mention the types of products the ingredient appears in and they usually suggests vegan alternatives. There are some things about the book that make me suspect its reliability in parts, like a tendency to ascribe all sorts of problems to animal ingredients (many people have allergic reactions to wool, etc etc) when it should be enough for the authors to say that consuming such and such a product is bad because it is an animal product -- no one who isn't convinced of the moral superiority of vegetarianism will be looking at this book anyway. They make a number of statements about vitamin B12, some of which contradict each other -- probably the result of compiling the different work of a number of authors into one book. And, of course, there is the fact that none of the authors identify themselves by name. However... a chapter-by-chapter bibliography is supplied in the back, and the EG Smith Collective has also contacted some companies to ask whether their products contain animal products, and in Lipton Tea's case reprints their response. The book is the best (I mean, the only) source I have come across to confirm or repudiate rumors that such and such is an animal-derived product. Certainly worth having if you are a vegan.

Everything you ever wanted to know about animal ingredients
I personally think this is a great book for beginning vegans or anyone who is concerned with products having animal ingredients in them. It covers a wide variety of topics - everything from common myths, to nutrition, to the names of animal ingredients and what they are. The book is set up in a way that's easy to read. You could use it as a reference guide to let you know if a certian product contains animal ingredients, but my personal favorite chapter is the one on nutrition. Many new vegans have concerns about what vitamins they need and where to get them from. This book explains it all. I give it two thumbs up. I highly