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Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism

Melanie Joy
Conari Press (2010)
ISBN 9781573244619
Reviewed by Andrey Bilko for RebeccasReads (02/10)


The book written by a social psychologist aims at introducing and explaining a concept of carnism, which entails a belief system that makes it acceptable to eat some animals, while avoiding others. Starting with a hypothetical situation of telling somebody that they are having dog meat, the author describes a predisposition that most of us have, which tells us that consuming dogs is wrong, immoral, and disgusting. It is obvious that Americans do not eat dogs and find it strange that other people would eat them. Dogs are considered special pets in the U.S., who may be like children to some people. Because of this human connection to canines, to most Americans eating dog meat would be an equivalent to cannibalism. But on the other hand most of Americans do not even flinch while eating beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, since those animals do not have that special connection to humans, they are raised to be killed and consumed.

The book has an amazing idea and goal in mind, and its purpose is clear. However, the author’s approach did not appeal to me. At some parts, the text feels like a rant about the ruthlessness of people and their consumption of animals. It has good intentions, which do not necessarily come out in the right way, looking like an extremist point of view without much tangible evidence, even comparing meat-eating ideologies to Nazism. Basically, every carnist is evil! In addition, the book is poorly structured, jumping around, and repeating itself. The only part that was interesting to read was the one describing the secrecy of meat producing industry and the conditions in its slaughter houses. Overall, the book needs more evidence like statistics. Many parts sound like author’s opinion without much to back it up. I was expecting a much better presentation of an interesting and important topic that should definitely get more coverage and attention, but was disappointed at the end. There are much better books out there on the same subject. However, I can see how this book may strike a chord with some readers…