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Eating Animals Audiobook
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(4.00) - 22,491 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Eating Animals' focus on the government agencies, lobbying groups and corporations that support, subsidize and fund the factory meat industry is nothing new. Books have been exposing the American meat industry since Upton Sinclair's The Jungle was first published in 1906. What sets Eating Animals apart is that it doesn't just answer questions about the industry, rather it encourages readers to question their own emotions and role in the culture that supports unethical practices in factory farming. Eating Animals does not present as much a case for vegetarianism as one might expect, with a bit of a different tilt than other recent books such as The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Way We Eat. Instead, it seeks to inspire readers to consider if there is a more ethical way to attain meats, and to make changes in this direction. It questions popular culture, regional traditions and how consumers are being misled by corporations and government agencies who have only their wallets in mind.
While conversion to vegetarianism or veganism is an obvious outcome when people learn about the unethical treatment of animals and other horrors or factory farms, Eating Animals pushes those who wish to continue eating meat to look for locally grown meats, small family farms and local slaughterhouses. The book encourages people to investigate the path their food takes from farm to plate, especially when animal products are concerned.
Eating Animals is critically-acclaimed writer Jonathan Safran Foer's first foray into non-fiction. While he has been both vegetarian and omnivore at different periods of his life, the birth of his first child made him consider both the health and the ethical aspects of his food choices like never before. The result of his detective work into factory farms became Eating Animals. Other books by Foer include Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
"I was truly astonished while reading this book. I have always had a passion for animals, and when I was a child even wanted to be a vegetarian - though that never happened. This book allowed me to see the naivety of my ways, my forgetfulness, my ignorance; it allowed for me to realize things I should have long ago, things I was slightly aware of, but chose to ignore as much of society does. This incredibly well-written, informative book has helped me to realize the life alterations I must make - I have a moral obligation, to myself and to all of the living creatures on this planet, including farmed animals, to minimize suffering. I have always believe humans are no better than animals, which some may resent or find absurd such a thought, but now I have the motivation I need to do my own research, to make my own (educated) decisions, and to help shape a better future for myself and future generations. Thank you, Jonathan Foer, for writing such a fantastic, life-changing book."
— Kristine (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Jonathan Safran Foer won the National Jewish Book Award and the Guardian First Book Award for his debut novel Everything Is Illuminated (which was also made into a major motion picture). Like many young Americans, Jonathan Safran Foer spent much of his teenage and college years oscillating between enthusiastic carnivore and occasional vegetarian. As he became a husband, and then a father, the moral dimensions of eating became increasingly important to him. Faced with the prospect of being unable to explain why we eat some animals and not others, Foer set out to explore the origins of many eating traditions and the fictions involved with creating them. Traveling to the darkest corners of our dining habits, Foer raises the unspoken question behind every fish we eat, every chicken we fry, and every burger we grill. Part memoir and part investigative report, Eating Animals is a book that, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, places Jonathan Safran Foer "at the table with our greatest philosophers."
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Quotes
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“Foer’s aim is not to make your choice but to inform it. He has done us all a great service, and we, and the animals, owe him our thanks.”
— Andrew Weil, MD, New York Times bestselling author -
“Stirring....compelling, earnest...Foer brings an invigorating moral clarity to the topic.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“What makes Eating Animals so unusual is vegetarian Foer’s empathy for human meat eaters, his willingness to let both factory farmers and food reform activists speak for themselves, and his talent for using humor to sweeten a sour argument.”
— O, The Oprah Magazine -
“Foer is the latest in a long line of distinguished literary vegetarians.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Extraordinarily thoughtful and intelligent.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch -
“A work of moral philosophy.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“It is the kind of wisdom that, in all its humanity and clarity, deserves a place at the table with our greatest philosophers.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“Eating Animals stands as a pop-cultural landmark, destined to be the starting point for a lot of overdue conversations.”
— Philadelphia Daily News -
“Foer’s book raises critical ethical questions we all need to face.”
— Huffington Post -
“Eating Animals isn’t just an antimeat screed or an impassioned case for vegetarianism. Instead, Foer tells a story that is part memoir and part investigative report...It’s a book that takes America’s meat-dominated diet to task.”
— NPR -
“A surprising but characteristically brilliant memoir-investigation…Foer combines an array of facts, astutely written anecdotes, and his furious, inward-spinning energy to make a personal, highly entertaining take on an increasingly visible moral question.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Presents assiduously assembled facts (supported by seventy pages of end notes) about the miserable lives and deaths of industrialized chickens, pigs, fish, and cattle and about agricultural pollution and how factory farming engenders species-leaping flu pandemics. He also asks philosophical questions…Foer brings extraordinary artistry, clarity, valor, and compassion to this staggering investigation into the ethics, horrors, and dangers of factory farming.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Celebrated novelist Foer examines the ethics and practical realities of eating things with faces…Foer’s case for ethical vegetarianism is wholly compelling…Eating Animals is a blend of solid—and discomforting—reportage with fierce advocacy.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A Millions.com Pick of 9 Book-to-Film Adaptations
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An Oprah Pick of Books behind Summer's Biggest Movies
Eating Animals Listener Reviews
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" Factual, even-minded, even as it lays a rather indefensible case against the abuses of the factory farm system. Enjoyable, but convicting. "
— Ryan, 2/20/2014 -
" Ok, this is a great book objectively. However, knowing what fantastic works Jonathan Safran Foer is capable of, I think it could still be better. Throughout this epic I found myself continually stunned in disbelief. I strongly encourage everyone to read this book. It may not alter you views but it will undoubtedly make you a more conscious consumer and a more active citizen of our world. "
— Graham, 2/18/2014 -
" The deep, discomfiting shame of knowing I fail morally at every meal. "
— Aaron, 2/16/2014 -
" an amazing book. i have great respect for this man not because he wrote a thorough piece on something trivial but his approach isnt to proselytize but rather to enlighten. life changing literature. "
— Margee, 2/15/2014 -
" I am not a vegetarian. But I have cut back on a lot of meats. Difficult read but interesting. "
— Donna, 2/15/2014 -
" different from the others. he doesn't judge. it's just a total different point of view. now i think i understand more about eating animals. "
— Winna, 2/9/2014 -
" Gripping and powerful, Eating Animals has ensured that I rethink the way I eat. While the organization was a bit confusing to me, Eating Animals is a remarkable book, and one I wish everyone would read. "
— Zara, 1/27/2014 -
" Well worth reading, and thinking about. Or even acting on. "
— Steve, 1/5/2014 -
" Important, well-researched book. "
— John, 12/27/2013 -
" excellent book! I am questioning all the food I eat anyways, and now even more ... "
— Ulrike, 10/22/2013 -
" Everyone should read this book. "
— Marie, 9/2/2013 -
" i went vegetarian. seriously. that's how much this book affected me. that's probably a little sad. "
— Meg, 9/1/2013 -
" Didn't change my mind about eating meat, but definitely eye-opening. Unlike most vegetarian tomes, I didn't feel like I was being lectured and spoken down to. And despite the subject, I actually enjoyed the read. "
— David, 3/22/2013 -
" I love The way this author writes. The way he delivers information is funny and non invasive. "
— Annika, 11/28/2012 -
" This book says what many vegetarians would love to say - it tells you all you need to know about if or when to eat animals, without being judgemental or making you feel like a complete bastard. First person narrative. "
— Duncan, 8/18/2012 -
" este libro excelente para todo el que se este cuestionando habitos alimenticios y quieran ser mas saludables. "
— Caryarit, 7/10/2012 -
" Fecal soup - I will never think of store-bought chicken the same again. "
— Carrie, 12/14/2011 -
" He makes good points and reminded me of things I try to ignore. It was worth reading for that purpose, but it wasn't that interesting or novel. It was kind of repetitive. "
— Maureen, 8/15/2011 -
" Far too biased to be enjoyable. "
— Arian, 7/27/2011 -
" This is a great book for everyone vegan, vegetarian or those that are just interested in the meat and dairy-industry in our society. Foer sheds light on his personal story as an omnivore turned vegetarian, turned omnivore again and then vegan. It's an intriguing story which makes you think! <br/> "
— Sigrid, 5/22/2011 -
" Although I really enjoyed this the second half was a bit of farming/animal cruelty text book. We know all this. Dont we? "
— Sian, 5/21/2011 -
" Everyone who wants to eat meat should read this book. It blew my concept of 'happy meat' out of the water... It's one of those books that will change your life... a balanced, non-gruesome, look at whether it is possible to be humane and eat animals...<br/><br/>Read it, I dare you. .., "
— Marc, 5/19/2011 -
" I may have become a vegetarian because of this book. "
— Turingtested, 5/18/2011 -
" this was really well done but im fucking pissed becos it has ruined my ability to enjoy toro sashimi. "
— Josh, 5/17/2011 -
" I only gave this book 3 stars because it is a hard book to "like". It is extremely well written, very informative, but also deeply disturbing & disgusting. This is a must read for anyone who eats meat. A real eye-opener. "
— Natalie, 5/15/2011 -
" Made me a vegetarian, and I feel great about it. "
— Antonia, 5/14/2011
About Jonathan Safran Foer
Jonathan Safran Foer is the author of the novels Everything Is Illuminated, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and Here I Am and of the nonfiction books Eating Animals and We Are the Weather. Everything Is Illuminated won several literary prizes, including the National Jewish Book Award and the Guardian First Book Award. His work has been translated into thirty-six languages.
About Jonathan Todd Ross
Jonathan Todd Ross is a writer and an Earphones and Audie Award–winning voice actor. He has lent his voice to numerous anime television shows, including Yu-Gi-Oh! and Sonic X.