Book Review | This is Vegan Propaganda (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) — Ed Winters | Review by Nanie Hurley
Veganism: It’s a Question of Morality
Ed Winters, also known as Earthling Ed, is among the kindest and most sympathetic vegan activists. He does not make excuses and always has facts to debunk wonky claims against veganism. His calm demeanour and composure, even in the most heated debates, are most impressive and inspiring for new and longtime vegans alike.
This is Vegan Propaganda (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) is Ed’s debut book. In it, he brings all his knowledge and personal experience to talk about the thorny subject of the lies the meat industry propagates. He backs up all his claims with a ton of research papers and publications from reliable and accredited sources. It’s a comprehensive book about veganism, the meat industry, and the psychological and social mechanisms behind why we as a society eat meat.
“This book goes beyond just making the case for veganism and explores the psychological and social mechanisms behind why we do what we do, highlighting and exposing the societal and cultural constructs that create passive complicity in industries that, on deeper evaluation, contradict the fundamental values that we live by.”
We Lie to Ourselves on a Daily Basis
I enjoyed this book so much, from beginning to end. I love how the author uses the term “Vegan Propaganda” to put into perspective that the meat industry is actually the one hiding the reality from its consumers. And they’re the ones selling an idea that is in no way related to the daily facts of the industry.
Just try and visualize a cow, a chicken, or a pig. I bet you see a happy animal in a green field, maybe even a red barn.
That’s absolutely not the reality the animal you’ll see in your supermarket later has lived. And connecting the products you buy to those gorgeous animals is even more challenging.
“Every time we eat, we have the power to radically transform the world we live in and simultaneously contribute to addressing many of the most pressing issues that our species currently faces: climate change, infectious disease, chronic disease, human exploitation and, of course, non-human exploitation. Every single day, our choices can help alleviate all of these problems or they can perpetuate them.”
You Don’t Need Meat to Be Healthy
This Instagram post showed up on my timeline this week, and I thought adding it to this review was appropriate.
Truth be told, we do separate the beautiful animals we all love, especially as children, from what we have on our plates. That’s why we eat beef, not cows; pork, not pigs; venison, and veal…
And when the names are the same, many parents will lie to their children. Not because they’re mean or trying to impose their beliefs on their kids. Unfortunately, it’s even worse. This happens because they’re under the impression that meat is an essential part of a healthy diet.
This illustrates the lies we’re told (you need animals to get your protein) and the lies we tell (chicken the food and chicken the animal aren’t the same) to be able to continue consuming meat. Books like This is Vegan Propaganda helps us change this narrative. It brings facts and information that debunk such myths.
“The truth is, the dairy industry is very much the meat industry, just with the added years of cruelty before the cows reach the slaughterhouse.”
Get Your Facts Together
Ed doesn’t shy away from telling us all the facets of this industry that may not be a complete secret, but are very well hidden under the carpet. Grass-fed beef, organic dairy, free-range eggs, humane slaughter, and other lies that we’re fed are debunked in this book.
The book presents information about the standard practices of the animal industry. From cruelty to animals to how hard it is for the people who work in this industry.
It goes into detail about how meat is dangerous for our health. Not only from consuming highly processed products but also from accelerating virus mutations, spreading diseases that break the species barrier, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. All significant threats to human health.
There’s hope
“The study showed that even though meat and dairy take up 83% of global agricultural land, they only provide 18% of global calories and 37% of global protein consumption.”
The book also has good news.
It’s no secret that meat is less efficient in providing calories and proteins when compared to plants. After all, those animals need to eat a lot of plants before they’re grown up.
This is Vegan Propaganda brings up some astonishing facts. They’re hopeful facts — beautiful numbers and suggestions for what farmers could do in a new world where 75% of the land currently used for farming could go back to rewilding. And all that with plenty of food to support the world’s growing population.
Perfect for Vegans and Vegans-to-Be
By discussing the hot topics in the vegan world, Ed Winters answers most of the questions people may have about veganism.
This a book that will make you feel more confident in your decision to become vegan. It has facts to support your beliefs and your choices, strengthening it all with the support of research and reports.
Reading This is Vegan Propaganda will help you fully understand your ethical decision and arm you with arguments for when you need to discuss your choices.
It’s not an easy read all the way through, though. The author doesn’t shy away from discussing some of the more disturbing facts connected with animal exploitation. So be ready for some difficult moments.
“It is not strange that we call those who kill dogs animal abusers, those who kill pigs normal and those who kill neither extremists?”
If you’re not vegan yet, beware. This is Vegan Propaganda is a dangerous book. It may help you reach the point of no return. You’ll find you won’t be able to close your eyes to the realities of the animal industry anymore.
Being vegan is an act of kindness towards the animals, ourselves, and the planet.
Get your copy on Amazon US or Amazon UK (affiliate links).
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