Livestock

Reviews / Votes

Erin McKenna argues for an ecological or 'biocentric' perspective on 'livestock animals.' In her interviews of livestock farmers and observations of their farms, she investigates human ways of being in relationship with animals raised for human consumption and contextualizes these relationships within their broader natural environments. Then, examining these contextualized relationships through the dual lens of pragmatism and ecofeminism, she develops a picture of healthier, more respectful relationships with the animals we know as 'livestock.' After reading this book I better appreciate the complexity and interrelatedness of agricultural ecologies and economies. -- Mary Trachsel, University of Iowa A rigorous and crossdisciplinary work that is accessible and highly effective at sparking discussion and reflection about the animals that are called 'livestock.' This text would shine as a core reading for a course about animal ethics or food ethics that incorporates philosophy and/or case studies. -- S. M. Weiss, * CHOICE * Livestock: Food, Fiber, and Friends contributes a pragmatist and ecofeminist perspective on livestock to animal and environmental ethics literature, challenging readers at every turn to avoid the kinds of absolutist thinking characteristic of our public discourse about the lives of animals often seen merely or primarily as food or fibre for humans ... The extent of the audience to whom it speaks is, arguably, everyone who eats anything at all. -- Tess Varner * Environmental Values * What we need, and what this book demonstrates, is a genuine commitment to meaningful dialogue and working through a deliberative process about our relationship with animals that recognizes the urgency of reform while also recognizing the need for respect in order to move forward. -- Sarah Berger Richardson * Journal of Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society *