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Questa è propaganda vegan: e le altre bugie dell’industria della carne
Le aziende zootecniche nascondono dietro alle etichette la realtà sui metodi di produzione della carne, e nello stesso tempo liquidano le ragioni contrarie definendole semplicemente «propaganda vegana». Questo libro è frutto di sei anni di ricerche, letture e conversazioni con persone di ogni convinzione e provenienza, dai lavoratori nei mattatoi e negli allevamenti intensivi ai filosofi dei diritti animali e agli ambientalisti, fino ai semplici consumatori. Ed Winters smonta uno per uno i numerosi stereotipi sui vegani, svela il devastante impatto dell’industria della carne e ci mostra come da consumatori consapevoli possiamo contrastare molti dei problemi più urgenti: il cambiamento climatico, la diffusione delle infezioni, le malattie croniche, lo sfruttamento degli esseri umani e, ovviamente, quello degli animali.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2022
935 people are currently reading
9254 people want to read
About the author
Ed Winters
8 books467 followersEd Winters, "Earthling Ed", is a vegan educator, public speaker and content creator based in London, England. Winters is the co-founder and co-director of Surge, an animal rights organisation determined to create a world where compassion towards all non-human animals is the norm.
In 2016 Surge founded The Official Animal Rights March which succeeded in a growth from 2,500 participants in London in 2016 to 28,000 participants across the world in 2018. In 2017 Winters produced the documentary Land of Hope and Glory and launched the on-going moving activism project The Big Vegan Activism Van. He has spoken at over 1/3 of UK universities and at 6 Ivy league colleges, including as a guest lecturer at Harvard University. He has given speeches across the world, including two TEDx talks in early 2019.
In October 2018 Winters opened Unity Diner, a non-profit vegan diner in London where all of the profits go directly back into helping animals. He launched The Disclosure Podcast in 2019.
In 2016 Surge founded The Official Animal Rights March which succeeded in a growth from 2,500 participants in London in 2016 to 28,000 participants across the world in 2018. In 2017 Winters produced the documentary Land of Hope and Glory and launched the on-going moving activism project The Big Vegan Activism Van. He has spoken at over 1/3 of UK universities and at 6 Ivy league colleges, including as a guest lecturer at Harvard University. He has given speeches across the world, including two TEDx talks in early 2019.
In October 2018 Winters opened Unity Diner, a non-profit vegan diner in London where all of the profits go directly back into helping animals. He launched The Disclosure Podcast in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 813 reviews
December 9, 2022
I recently met Ed and got my booked signed. I had a chat with him about my PhD thesis. Such a humble guy!
Review
I’ve been vegan for twelve years and if you’d told me at the beginning of my journey that I would one day see a book about veganism advertised on billboards and by bookstores, I simply wouldn’t have believed you.
For me, this just demonstrates how much the world is finally starting to talk about veganism and to take these arguments seriously. The truth is people are waking up; things are changing and there are more of us now than ever. And we really need to keep talking because this is a conversation that has the protentional to completely change the world. The future is vegan, it must be.
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book (or a book like it) for a very long time. It’s really a pivotal piece of writing. And it’s written in such a way to be accessible to both vegans and non-vegans alike. This is a book written to make you think. It’s not written to demonise you for your choices or to make you feel judged. It wants to challenge you. And it wants you to consider the reality of animal agriculture.
In this, Ed sees the big picture. And that’s why his writing and advocacy is so powerful. He understands that changing our perceptions, the way we see and think about animals, will fundamentally alter our behaviour and eating habits. Breaking down barriers is the key. Becoming educated about the reality of our food choices and the consequences of them is essential in understanding the truth of animal exploitation. Simply put, we live in a world where we don’t have to inflict cruelty on another sentient being every time we go to the supermarket. We have a choice. And we need to make the better one.
Without turning my review into too much of a regurgitation of these arguments that I clearly agree with and uphold, I want to establish once more just how significant the decision of what we chose to consume is. We can either chose to live and consume in an ethical way or we can continue to support industries that are destroying our planet and causing death on an unimaginable scale. It’s really that simple. Please choose the kinder option. Please go vegan.
And now I want to talk a little bit about how Ed has impacted my life. His words at the London Animal Rights March in 2019 are a large part of the reason I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the movement. I remember sitting on the floor of Parliament Square, surrounding by thousands of other vegans, and coming to the realisation that if we want change then we must work for change. We cannot be silent. The animals need us.
This is Vegan Propaganda demonstrates perfectly why change is necessary.
__________________________________
You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
__________________________________
Review
I’ve been vegan for twelve years and if you’d told me at the beginning of my journey that I would one day see a book about veganism advertised on billboards and by bookstores, I simply wouldn’t have believed you.
For me, this just demonstrates how much the world is finally starting to talk about veganism and to take these arguments seriously. The truth is people are waking up; things are changing and there are more of us now than ever. And we really need to keep talking because this is a conversation that has the protentional to completely change the world. The future is vegan, it must be.
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book (or a book like it) for a very long time. It’s really a pivotal piece of writing. And it’s written in such a way to be accessible to both vegans and non-vegans alike. This is a book written to make you think. It’s not written to demonise you for your choices or to make you feel judged. It wants to challenge you. And it wants you to consider the reality of animal agriculture.
In this, Ed sees the big picture. And that’s why his writing and advocacy is so powerful. He understands that changing our perceptions, the way we see and think about animals, will fundamentally alter our behaviour and eating habits. Breaking down barriers is the key. Becoming educated about the reality of our food choices and the consequences of them is essential in understanding the truth of animal exploitation. Simply put, we live in a world where we don’t have to inflict cruelty on another sentient being every time we go to the supermarket. We have a choice. And we need to make the better one.
“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 diseases, 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.”
Without turning my review into too much of a regurgitation of these arguments that I clearly agree with and uphold, I want to establish once more just how significant the decision of what we chose to consume is. We can either chose to live and consume in an ethical way or we can continue to support industries that are destroying our planet and causing death on an unimaginable scale. It’s really that simple. Please choose the kinder option. Please go vegan.
And now I want to talk a little bit about how Ed has impacted my life. His words at the London Animal Rights March in 2019 are a large part of the reason I decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the movement. I remember sitting on the floor of Parliament Square, surrounding by thousands of other vegans, and coming to the realisation that if we want change then we must work for change. We cannot be silent. The animals need us.
This is Vegan Propaganda demonstrates perfectly why change is necessary.
__________________________________
You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
__________________________________
January 7, 2022
As those who know me can probably confirm, I love my cheese.
But this book has made me want to go vegan.
Not because of any bias or fallacies, but because of the pure facts this piece of work entails.
You read this book, it’ll change your view fully.
5/5. A well-paced read that is well referenced and argues its case appropriately.
But this book has made me want to go vegan.
Not because of any bias or fallacies, but because of the pure facts this piece of work entails.
You read this book, it’ll change your view fully.
5/5. A well-paced read that is well referenced and argues its case appropriately.
January 4, 2022
Knowing already how good Ed is as a speaker and debater, I was placing high expectations on this book, and I'm glad to say that they have not only been met, but also greatly exceeded.
The morality is consistent and the science is sound. The case for veganism is something that anyone who wishes to consider themselves an ethical human being needs to address.
Without any doubt, I can recommend this work to vegans and non-vegans alike.
The morality is consistent and the science is sound. The case for veganism is something that anyone who wishes to consider themselves an ethical human being needs to address.
Without any doubt, I can recommend this work to vegans and non-vegans alike.
January 28, 2022
Ed Winters is so powerful with the way he presents information. I have followed his activism for years, and he still continues to educate me. Vegan or non vegan, we all deserve to be well informed. The layout is great. Makes for an easy read even though the subjects can be heavy at times. I am curious to see what conversations this book brings up. Great job as always Ed! 👍🏼👍🏼
April 1, 2023
Ed Winters is a former omnivore turned "compassionate activist and vegan educator" from the UK who used to visit KFC so frequently in his early 20's that the workers at his local franchise knew him by name. As someone who used to walk into my neighborhood Taco Bell to greetings of "JAMES!!!!" like I was Norm Peterson on Cheers, I can totally relate.
He's taken his ironic title from the dismissive phrase used most often by representatives of the meat industry to disparage and discredit any critiques of their industry, adapting his speeches and interviews into a comprehensive and compelling case for the benefits of a vegan diet when it comes to things like improving personal health, combating climate change, reducing the risk of future global pandemics, and of course refusing to be complicit in the systematic exploitation and cruelty toward non-human animals. The book's overall thesis: "Every single day, our choices can help alleviate all of these problems or they can perpetuate them."
I picked this up because it was just published last year, and I wanted to get a better feel for how the scientific data, factory farm industry protocols, and pro-vegan arguments have evolved in the decade since Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals was first published. It does a decent enough job of that, but unlike Foer, who examined the question of "eating animals" as an ambivalent, questioning father and amateur investigative reporter, Winters tackles the subject as a fully converted young vegan activist, and the difference is striking.
Pardon my potential reverse ageism, but there's a youthful idealism here (Winters is still only in his late 20's) that made this jaded Gen X reader miss the moral ambiguity and "gray areas" maturity of Foer's approach, even as I found myself in horrified and passionate agreement with most of Winters' conclusions. His heart's in the right place, but the polemical and proselytizing tone will probably turn most skeptical readers off and only undermine his stated goals.
The writing isn't terrible, but it isn't great either, and much of this amounts to a dense and overwhelming compilation of statistics and factory farm horror stories presented as if Winters was trying out for his high school Debate Team. Some of these are unique and eye-opening - for example, the fact that approximately 1.35 *BILLION* chicken wings are consumed during Super Bowl Weekend alone, amounting to an estimated 700 million slaughtered chickens just to celebrate one sporting event. But I wish Winters had been more selective with these types of breathtaking facts, as too many of the chapters feel encyclopedic and exhausting instead of sharp and inspiring.
Where Winters is at his most effective, for me at least, is when he sets his Debate Club prep notes aside and writes from his heart about his struggles to discuss his veganism with his own family, or our societal double standards when it comes to animal cruelty:
Is it not strange that we call those who kill dogs animal abusers, those who kill pigs normal and those who kill neither extremists? Is it not odd that someone who smashes a car window to rescue a dog on a hot day is viewed as a hero but someone who rescues a piglet suffering on a farm is a criminal? [....]
The reality is that if we took the legally sanctioned practices from the animal farming industries and then applied them to other situations, we would think those practices horrendous. For example, if dog owners were cutting off their pets' tails and chopping their teeth out, we would condemn that as being horrific animal abuse. But we do it to pigs and call it high welfare. If someone was killing puppies by thumping their heads against a wall or dislocating their necks, we would call that evil, yet that happens to animals such as piglets and chickens and we call it humane. But the experience is the same for the individual animal, regardless of what species they are.
As a lifelong animal lover, these were the arguments that resonated with me the most, and even though this wasn't exactly the contemporary "Vegan Bible" I was hoping it might be, it certainly provided me with plenty of “food for thought" (™Carmel Hanes).
He's taken his ironic title from the dismissive phrase used most often by representatives of the meat industry to disparage and discredit any critiques of their industry, adapting his speeches and interviews into a comprehensive and compelling case for the benefits of a vegan diet when it comes to things like improving personal health, combating climate change, reducing the risk of future global pandemics, and of course refusing to be complicit in the systematic exploitation and cruelty toward non-human animals. The book's overall thesis: "Every single day, our choices can help alleviate all of these problems or they can perpetuate them."
I picked this up because it was just published last year, and I wanted to get a better feel for how the scientific data, factory farm industry protocols, and pro-vegan arguments have evolved in the decade since Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals was first published. It does a decent enough job of that, but unlike Foer, who examined the question of "eating animals" as an ambivalent, questioning father and amateur investigative reporter, Winters tackles the subject as a fully converted young vegan activist, and the difference is striking.
Pardon my potential reverse ageism, but there's a youthful idealism here (Winters is still only in his late 20's) that made this jaded Gen X reader miss the moral ambiguity and "gray areas" maturity of Foer's approach, even as I found myself in horrified and passionate agreement with most of Winters' conclusions. His heart's in the right place, but the polemical and proselytizing tone will probably turn most skeptical readers off and only undermine his stated goals.
The writing isn't terrible, but it isn't great either, and much of this amounts to a dense and overwhelming compilation of statistics and factory farm horror stories presented as if Winters was trying out for his high school Debate Team. Some of these are unique and eye-opening - for example, the fact that approximately 1.35 *BILLION* chicken wings are consumed during Super Bowl Weekend alone, amounting to an estimated 700 million slaughtered chickens just to celebrate one sporting event. But I wish Winters had been more selective with these types of breathtaking facts, as too many of the chapters feel encyclopedic and exhausting instead of sharp and inspiring.
Where Winters is at his most effective, for me at least, is when he sets his Debate Club prep notes aside and writes from his heart about his struggles to discuss his veganism with his own family, or our societal double standards when it comes to animal cruelty:
Is it not strange that we call those who kill dogs animal abusers, those who kill pigs normal and those who kill neither extremists? Is it not odd that someone who smashes a car window to rescue a dog on a hot day is viewed as a hero but someone who rescues a piglet suffering on a farm is a criminal? [....]
The reality is that if we took the legally sanctioned practices from the animal farming industries and then applied them to other situations, we would think those practices horrendous. For example, if dog owners were cutting off their pets' tails and chopping their teeth out, we would condemn that as being horrific animal abuse. But we do it to pigs and call it high welfare. If someone was killing puppies by thumping their heads against a wall or dislocating their necks, we would call that evil, yet that happens to animals such as piglets and chickens and we call it humane. But the experience is the same for the individual animal, regardless of what species they are.
As a lifelong animal lover, these were the arguments that resonated with me the most, and even though this wasn't exactly the contemporary "Vegan Bible" I was hoping it might be, it certainly provided me with plenty of “food for thought" (™Carmel Hanes).
January 12, 2022
I have never in my whole life met any human so cold and callous that they could read the information presented here and do anything but feel utterly bereft at our onslaught on sentient life.
This book is essential. It is brutal, it is devastating, it is heartbreaking - but more than that - more than just agony - it will leave you with hope.
Because, as the name of the book eludes with its coy, mischievous bating - this is so much more than just ‘vegan propaganda’.
This book is a roadmap to a deepening of our compassion. It is an invite to extend our love into places we have forgotten. And it is a challenge to live in the reality of our actions.
And with that, though we may be starting in the brutal furrows of our abject betrayal of Mother Nature, though - in the early pages we may feel like grimacing bestial abominations, orcs hacking at gaias open wounds - by the end - it is apparent: this movement is unstoppable.
Veganism, mass-ubiquitous veganism, is inevitable.
Why? Because it’s driving values are who we already are.
We ARE kind. We ARE compassionate. We ARE love.
And the reality is - I will say it again - I have never met a human on this planet so callous or so cold, that they could open their eyes to the truth on display here and do anything other than feel mortified at the system they have been duped into upholding.
Of that I am utterly convinced.
So with abject conviction I say this - the difference between you, and everyone you know being vegan - is the first 100 pages of this book.
And that isn’t petrifying.
That is the most illuminating, hopeful thing I can possibly imagine.
Get this book. Read this book.
Be real and bring your friends along too..
If I could beg every stranger to read just one thing.
If I could pin the hopes of our future on one book.
It would be this.
This book is essential. It is brutal, it is devastating, it is heartbreaking - but more than that - more than just agony - it will leave you with hope.
Because, as the name of the book eludes with its coy, mischievous bating - this is so much more than just ‘vegan propaganda’.
This book is a roadmap to a deepening of our compassion. It is an invite to extend our love into places we have forgotten. And it is a challenge to live in the reality of our actions.
And with that, though we may be starting in the brutal furrows of our abject betrayal of Mother Nature, though - in the early pages we may feel like grimacing bestial abominations, orcs hacking at gaias open wounds - by the end - it is apparent: this movement is unstoppable.
Veganism, mass-ubiquitous veganism, is inevitable.
Why? Because it’s driving values are who we already are.
We ARE kind. We ARE compassionate. We ARE love.
And the reality is - I will say it again - I have never met a human on this planet so callous or so cold, that they could open their eyes to the truth on display here and do anything other than feel mortified at the system they have been duped into upholding.
Of that I am utterly convinced.
So with abject conviction I say this - the difference between you, and everyone you know being vegan - is the first 100 pages of this book.
And that isn’t petrifying.
That is the most illuminating, hopeful thing I can possibly imagine.
Get this book. Read this book.
Be real and bring your friends along too..
If I could beg every stranger to read just one thing.
If I could pin the hopes of our future on one book.
It would be this.
Read
April 20, 2022Pls read.
January 23, 2022
An unapologetic case for veganism!
I have been vegan for 4 years now and seeing the rise in veganism and awareness makes me so very excited! Having this book out in the world is so incredibly fantastic.
Ed is probably the number 1 activist and influencer who guided me throughout my own vegan journey. He has educated me and so many others on the gruesome, cruel reality that animals face upon this earth.
Not only covering ethical reasons, but going thought the environmental, health issues propagated by animal exploitation of our current food system, This is Vegan Propaganda (& Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) is a compassionate, fact-filled, reliable book for all to learn about why it is so essential we all ponder upon the impact of animal exploitation.
10/10 highly recommend!
I have been vegan for 4 years now and seeing the rise in veganism and awareness makes me so very excited! Having this book out in the world is so incredibly fantastic.
Ed is probably the number 1 activist and influencer who guided me throughout my own vegan journey. He has educated me and so many others on the gruesome, cruel reality that animals face upon this earth.
Not only covering ethical reasons, but going thought the environmental, health issues propagated by animal exploitation of our current food system, This is Vegan Propaganda (& Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) is a compassionate, fact-filled, reliable book for all to learn about why it is so essential we all ponder upon the impact of animal exploitation.
10/10 highly recommend!
March 19, 2023
This book is just incredible! I feel like if everyone read this book, the majority would go vegan. The connections between climate change, health and animal agriculture is clearer than ever and we just have to hope that this book inspires others to make the switch.
I'm also glad that Ed mentions the many vegan alternatives out there, because I feel like the main reason that people won't make the switch is because they think that there aren't any good substitutes for meat and dairy. By highlighting this point, I think it will inspire people to make the switch
I'm also glad that Ed mentions the many vegan alternatives out there, because I feel like the main reason that people won't make the switch is because they think that there aren't any good substitutes for meat and dairy. By highlighting this point, I think it will inspire people to make the switch
November 4, 2022
A fact-based, yet flowing; morally challenging, yet empathetic; book on one of the divisive topics of our time.
The first chapters — about animal, environment, and human exploitation, and disease causation — are, admittedly, hard to read, but necessary to build knowledge and compassion. Ed's compassion is exemplified by the section on slaughterhouse workers: rather than condemn them, he explains why people work there (lack of choice) and brings sympathy for its effect on their mental and physical health. The book then gets more hopeful, explaining how we can bring about change with no (or positive) effect on our personal health. Following that, the book delves deep into the less-discussed, complex matters: why the topic is so divisive, what drives the strong beliefs and reactions, and how the division harms our social relationships. Finally, we're presented with empathetic recommendations on how to discuss the topic with those closest to us, and an optimistic view for the future.
Although I consider myself fairly familiar with the topic, I learned a lot. Some knowledge was new to me, such as the role of animal agriculture in the outbreaks of new diseases, but my existing knowledge was also complemented by innumerable facts. Actually, numerable — I was surprised to see the e-book finish sooner than I expected, at 66%, due to the sheer amount of citations.
My only challenge is that the book feels too one-sided and might therefore be alienating to readers new to the topic. There's a fair amount of arguments opposing veganism mentioned, but they're all debunked so elegantly that the work might lose some credibility.
Recommended for vegans, anti-vegans, and everyone in-between, I'm certain the book will have the intended impact in reducing all: cruelty against animals, harm to the environment, and individually, the stress caused by the discrepancy between our intrinsic values and everyday actions.
The first chapters — about animal, environment, and human exploitation, and disease causation — are, admittedly, hard to read, but necessary to build knowledge and compassion. Ed's compassion is exemplified by the section on slaughterhouse workers: rather than condemn them, he explains why people work there (lack of choice) and brings sympathy for its effect on their mental and physical health. The book then gets more hopeful, explaining how we can bring about change with no (or positive) effect on our personal health. Following that, the book delves deep into the less-discussed, complex matters: why the topic is so divisive, what drives the strong beliefs and reactions, and how the division harms our social relationships. Finally, we're presented with empathetic recommendations on how to discuss the topic with those closest to us, and an optimistic view for the future.
Although I consider myself fairly familiar with the topic, I learned a lot. Some knowledge was new to me, such as the role of animal agriculture in the outbreaks of new diseases, but my existing knowledge was also complemented by innumerable facts. Actually, numerable — I was surprised to see the e-book finish sooner than I expected, at 66%, due to the sheer amount of citations.
My only challenge is that the book feels too one-sided and might therefore be alienating to readers new to the topic. There's a fair amount of arguments opposing veganism mentioned, but they're all debunked so elegantly that the work might lose some credibility.
Recommended for vegans, anti-vegans, and everyone in-between, I'm certain the book will have the intended impact in reducing all: cruelty against animals, harm to the environment, and individually, the stress caused by the discrepancy between our intrinsic values and everyday actions.
January 5, 2025
'Humane slaughter is an oxymoron.'
'Veganism gives us all the opportunity to say what we stand for in life.'
First of all: Thank you, Ed, for being the voice of the voiceless. ✊️
This empowering book perfectly conveys the health and environmental benefits of veganism because 'The future is plant-based'. 'This is vegan propaganda' will provide you with the knowledge to choose compassion over cruelty. We unveil the curtain of truth behind animal suffering, the inhumane treatment and neglect of millions of innocent sentient beings and their needless death. The most challenging and unbearably sad chapters about slaughterhouse practises are violent, bloody and difficult to read. Why not embrace empathy and kindness? We're not entitled to inflict unjustifiable pain and cruelty to another living being, because 'Animals are not inanimate objects'.
Please read Ed's book, educate yourself and be open for change. Each individual compassionate contribution counts.
Our lives are inextricably linked to all animal and plant life - together, we are one; tomorrow is NOW! 💚🌱🍀Ⓥ
'Veganism gives us all the opportunity to say what we stand for in life.'
First of all: Thank you, Ed, for being the voice of the voiceless. ✊️
This empowering book perfectly conveys the health and environmental benefits of veganism because 'The future is plant-based'. 'This is vegan propaganda' will provide you with the knowledge to choose compassion over cruelty. We unveil the curtain of truth behind animal suffering, the inhumane treatment and neglect of millions of innocent sentient beings and their needless death. The most challenging and unbearably sad chapters about slaughterhouse practises are violent, bloody and difficult to read. Why not embrace empathy and kindness? We're not entitled to inflict unjustifiable pain and cruelty to another living being, because 'Animals are not inanimate objects'.
Please read Ed's book, educate yourself and be open for change. Each individual compassionate contribution counts.
Our lives are inextricably linked to all animal and plant life - together, we are one; tomorrow is NOW! 💚🌱🍀Ⓥ
Read
May 11, 2022I'm not going to rate this or go into detail about the content other than to say it was illuminating, horrifying and informative. And UK based, which somehow made it even more horrendous to read about.
If you're interested in adopting a vegan lifestyle, or even if you're not, this should be essential reading so that you know exactly what happens to the animals we farm for consumption, and what it's doing to the environment.
If you're interested in adopting a vegan lifestyle, or even if you're not, this should be essential reading so that you know exactly what happens to the animals we farm for consumption, and what it's doing to the environment.
February 10, 2022
I genuinely cannot see how anybody with an open mind and a willingness to learn and unlearn, could continue consuming (and otherwise using) animal products after reading this book.
“We have the power to either stand in favor of needless animal suffering, the destruction of our natural world and the increased risk of infectious disease and pandemics, or to stand against it. Which do we choose?”
“We have the power to either stand in favor of needless animal suffering, the destruction of our natural world and the increased risk of infectious disease and pandemics, or to stand against it. Which do we choose?”
February 1, 2022
The only non-fiction book I read in the past few years and absolutely brilliant.
I followed Ed for years so I knew lots of the facts he presented already but it was still eye-opening and a must read for every person living on this planet.
Did I cry at the last paragraph of the acknowledgements section? I am not ashamed to say I did.
Also, don't know if it's just me but I kept hearing Ed's voice in my head as I was reading? :)
I followed Ed for years so I knew lots of the facts he presented already but it was still eye-opening and a must read for every person living on this planet.
Did I cry at the last paragraph of the acknowledgements section? I am not ashamed to say I did.
Also, don't know if it's just me but I kept hearing Ed's voice in my head as I was reading? :)
February 15, 2022
I bought this book to get the necessary tools to defend myself as someone who didn't eat meat but still consumed fish and eggs. And then ended up becoming a vegan. Ed Winters is incredibly thorough and compelling in his exhaustively factual analysis of the benefits of Veganism from any angle you may look at it from: health, environment, ethics and animal rights. I'm left only regretting that I didn't become a vegan earlier in life.
July 19, 2022
Absolutely essential.
May 1, 2024
This book kicks off on what seems like a conciliatory note. Winters is like, "Hey, let's stop pointing fingers in the veganism debate." He's advocating for a less accusatory conversation, suggesting those who aren't vegan aren't villains but perhaps just not in the loop. It's a solid start, right? Kind of makes you lower your defenses and think, "Okay, maybe this is going to be a chill read."
However, after promising an olive branch in the debate on veganism, Winters takes a startling turn. Instead of fostering understanding and dialogue, he embarks on what can only be described as a tirade filled with hate and contempt towards those not on the vegan bandwagon. This shift from peacemaker to assailant is not just surprising; it's stark.
I'm a big believer in getting rid of the waste, inefficiency and cruelty of meat in our world, but people like Winters, who relentlessly shame those around them, are doomed to fail when it comes to changing minds. Shaming people is just about the best way in the world to get them to hate you, and summarily dismiss any persuasive arguments.
While Winters's depth of knowledge and passion for the subject shine through, the book's overwhelming tone of contempt overshadows the potential for a constructive conversation on the issue. It more or less solidifies opposition.
Now, don't get me wrong. The book is a treasure trove of information on veganism, the meat industry, and animal rights. Winters did his homework, and I definitely walked away with a bunch of insights I hadn't had before. It's clear he's passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.
However, it's also painfully one-sided. Every piece of research and data presented in the book unabashedly champions the vegan cause without any room for debate or counterargument. Everything vegan is amazing. Everything non-vegan is evil. It's like being at a pep rally for the home team. If you're seeking a nuanced or balanced discussion on the topic, this is definitely not the playbook for you.
Despite my gripes with the book's approach and its heavy-handed delivery, I'd still recommend giving it a read. There's value in the information Winters shares, and it's an eye-opener in many ways. Just brace yourself for a presentation that doesn't exactly entertain the middle ground.
So, if you're curious about veganism or want to understand the arguments for it, this book could be a good addition to your reading list. Just remember, it's coming from a place of deep conviction, and sometimes that conviction doesn't leave much room for moderation. Take it for what it is, learn what you can, and maybe bring a grain of salt or two for balance.
However, after promising an olive branch in the debate on veganism, Winters takes a startling turn. Instead of fostering understanding and dialogue, he embarks on what can only be described as a tirade filled with hate and contempt towards those not on the vegan bandwagon. This shift from peacemaker to assailant is not just surprising; it's stark.
I'm a big believer in getting rid of the waste, inefficiency and cruelty of meat in our world, but people like Winters, who relentlessly shame those around them, are doomed to fail when it comes to changing minds. Shaming people is just about the best way in the world to get them to hate you, and summarily dismiss any persuasive arguments.
While Winters's depth of knowledge and passion for the subject shine through, the book's overwhelming tone of contempt overshadows the potential for a constructive conversation on the issue. It more or less solidifies opposition.
Now, don't get me wrong. The book is a treasure trove of information on veganism, the meat industry, and animal rights. Winters did his homework, and I definitely walked away with a bunch of insights I hadn't had before. It's clear he's passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.
However, it's also painfully one-sided. Every piece of research and data presented in the book unabashedly champions the vegan cause without any room for debate or counterargument. Everything vegan is amazing. Everything non-vegan is evil. It's like being at a pep rally for the home team. If you're seeking a nuanced or balanced discussion on the topic, this is definitely not the playbook for you.
Despite my gripes with the book's approach and its heavy-handed delivery, I'd still recommend giving it a read. There's value in the information Winters shares, and it's an eye-opener in many ways. Just brace yourself for a presentation that doesn't exactly entertain the middle ground.
So, if you're curious about veganism or want to understand the arguments for it, this book could be a good addition to your reading list. Just remember, it's coming from a place of deep conviction, and sometimes that conviction doesn't leave much room for moderation. Take it for what it is, learn what you can, and maybe bring a grain of salt or two for balance.
January 28, 2022
I'm a vegan, living in a non vegan family. I bought this book in a physical format with the hope that I would be able to lend it to others (family and friends) and to spark an interest for veganism.
When I went vegan, Ed was the one who caught my attention. I saw a video of him showing a video of an animal being slaughtered to a meat eating girl, who burst into tears and said she would stop eating meat. Then I went on and watched a lot of his videos. The way he spoke, the arguments he gave... He was one of the main reasons I went vegan, and I thank him loads for that.
So when I bought this book, I had high hopes for it. Truth be told, I hadn't expected this book to have so much factual data, with all of the resources being provided at the end of the book (which at first made me think the book was, in fact, much bigger, since there's a good amount of pages with them). Even as a vegan, it was still hard for me to read portions of this book. I could barely stand reading the first part, where he talked about what happens to animals in factory farming. I already knew a lot of these things, but it still amazes me how much cruelty can happen to these innocent beings.
Then the second part talked mostly about the environmental impact of animal agriculture. This part was full of information that I didn't know, and it is my favourite one. A chapter which I really liked was the one talking about pandemics, but at the same time, it's made me just be terrified of the upcoming pandemics of the future.
The last part was the easiest to read, since he talked about the social aspects of veganism.
Overall, I think this is an essential read both for vegans and for curious non vegans, who care about the future of our planet. This book shows how veganism could change the world for the better, and also how dezastruos the current system really is. It's both an informative and a terrifying read.
Conclusion: Amazing book! I hope Ed will release others in the future as well!
When I went vegan, Ed was the one who caught my attention. I saw a video of him showing a video of an animal being slaughtered to a meat eating girl, who burst into tears and said she would stop eating meat. Then I went on and watched a lot of his videos. The way he spoke, the arguments he gave... He was one of the main reasons I went vegan, and I thank him loads for that.
So when I bought this book, I had high hopes for it. Truth be told, I hadn't expected this book to have so much factual data, with all of the resources being provided at the end of the book (which at first made me think the book was, in fact, much bigger, since there's a good amount of pages with them). Even as a vegan, it was still hard for me to read portions of this book. I could barely stand reading the first part, where he talked about what happens to animals in factory farming. I already knew a lot of these things, but it still amazes me how much cruelty can happen to these innocent beings.
Then the second part talked mostly about the environmental impact of animal agriculture. This part was full of information that I didn't know, and it is my favourite one. A chapter which I really liked was the one talking about pandemics, but at the same time, it's made me just be terrified of the upcoming pandemics of the future.
The last part was the easiest to read, since he talked about the social aspects of veganism.
Overall, I think this is an essential read both for vegans and for curious non vegans, who care about the future of our planet. This book shows how veganism could change the world for the better, and also how dezastruos the current system really is. It's both an informative and a terrifying read.
Conclusion: Amazing book! I hope Ed will release others in the future as well!
January 10, 2022
An utterly biased work of made up and prejudicial rubbish. The author has no balance and shows and supports extremist vegan terrorist type views. It would seem a major conflict of interest doesn’t get consideration. A vegan restaurant owner, promotes vegan foods. Nutritionally, the book lacks anything useful. The creation of synthetic chemical (vitamin supplements) is not addressed. The author should look at the vitamin supplement industry and reveal the risks e.g. made in unregulated laboratories in China etc. Of note is the complete lack of commentary on determined and evidenced illnesses besetting people on vegan diets such as leaky gut, brain shrinkage, propensity of strokes, infant deaths from malnutrition and so on. The author lacks any knowledge of where food comes from. Monoculture and cropping kill animals but that is not recognised. Methane from cows is less now than 30 years ago and the methane breaks down after 8 years. As for being the most highly processed food on earth, vegan “fake meats” are dreadful. Share prices in such manufacturers are falling due to health concerns. Seasonality of fruits and vegetables, transport challenges and contribution to GHGs are ignored. With no sense of balance and only extremist and prejudiced views, this book is a waste of time. Animals are not human, they do not speak English, what this book presents as cognisance is garbage and selective to suit. I rate this book 0 out of 10.
February 17, 2022
Absolutely brilliant, an informativeb and eye opening read that everyone can benifit from.
A must read
A must read
January 25, 2022
Important book.
We need to change the way we look at and treat our fellow animals on this planet. As soon as possible.
I am afraid a lot of people are still ignorant (or in denial) about the horrors of the meat, fish and dairy industries. Even my most persistent illusion that, maybe, just maybe, there could be a somewhat "humane" way of consuming animals for a part of humanity was obliterated. That just reducing the exploitation and (ab)use of non-human animals will become somewhat morally acceptable. After all this time since going vegan, I am still dealing with these delusions and denial. The myths about (and from) these industries and our consumption are powerful. And a large part of it is that I don't want to become too desperate about the reality of the situation.
The amount of pain, stress and suffering experienced by hundreds of millions of sentient beings with conscious experience, emotions, relationships and behaviour is unimaginable. And we are causing it. Just to have some simplistic, banal feeling of pleasure for a few minutes with our meal. Without necessity (in our modern affluent countries at least).
I am going to use the following sentence without irony, even though those words are misused mostly by conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience aficionados, but,
We need to wake up.
(about the horrible acts we are inflicting on other beings)
We need to wake up from this enormous blindspot we have.
...Review will be continued later.
We need to change the way we look at and treat our fellow animals on this planet. As soon as possible.
I am afraid a lot of people are still ignorant (or in denial) about the horrors of the meat, fish and dairy industries. Even my most persistent illusion that, maybe, just maybe, there could be a somewhat "humane" way of consuming animals for a part of humanity was obliterated. That just reducing the exploitation and (ab)use of non-human animals will become somewhat morally acceptable. After all this time since going vegan, I am still dealing with these delusions and denial. The myths about (and from) these industries and our consumption are powerful. And a large part of it is that I don't want to become too desperate about the reality of the situation.
The amount of pain, stress and suffering experienced by hundreds of millions of sentient beings with conscious experience, emotions, relationships and behaviour is unimaginable. And we are causing it. Just to have some simplistic, banal feeling of pleasure for a few minutes with our meal. Without necessity (in our modern affluent countries at least).
I am going to use the following sentence without irony, even though those words are misused mostly by conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience aficionados, but,
We need to wake up.
(about the horrible acts we are inflicting on other beings)
We need to wake up from this enormous blindspot we have.
...Review will be continued later.
February 9, 2024
While traveling to Colombia I met someone who organizes for Vegan and Evnviromental movements. Through our conversations I began reflecting on my own beliefs on eating meat, the ethics of killing animals, and the negative health effects of eating meat (excluding healthy fish ect, moreso reflecting on excsess beef, and antibiotic filled fast food chicken).
Over the course of my trip I ended up eating Vegan for about half of my meals. And honestly they were some of the most delicious meals I ate while in Colombia. Not to mention they were also healthier and good for the soul.
These experiences have me investigating the larger topic of Veganism and trying to find exactly where I fall on the topic.
This book was my first inquiry into the topic and I enjoyed it's commentary on Health, Ethics, and Eviromentalism equally.
Over the course of my trip I ended up eating Vegan for about half of my meals. And honestly they were some of the most delicious meals I ate while in Colombia. Not to mention they were also healthier and good for the soul.
These experiences have me investigating the larger topic of Veganism and trying to find exactly where I fall on the topic.
This book was my first inquiry into the topic and I enjoyed it's commentary on Health, Ethics, and Eviromentalism equally.
February 21, 2022
Finished this one last night. It was excellent! Towards the end he starts talking about the challenges of discussing veganism with family and friends. It's comforting to know that even world famous vegan activists struggle with this at times. I can't recommend this book enough!
January 15, 2022
Me empecé este libro sin saber quién era Ed Winters ni de qué iba, pero me apetecía leer un non-fiction de veganismo (ya fuera a favor o en contra del veganismo). Ha sido una total experiencia que, sin duda, repetiré.
Llevo sin comer carne ni pescado desde 2013 y siendo vegana desde 2014. Aunque durante algunas etapas he vuelto a comer huevo y algunos lácteos (por un tema de salud, no vengo ahora mismo a debatir con nadie por qué), nunca he dejado de considerarme vegana y así lo sabe todo el mundo que me rodea. Alrededor mío no acepto comentarios sobre comer cordero o ternera y tampoco que pongan en duda mis ideales, igual que yo no lo hago.
Me considero una vegana bastante suave. Pese a que al principio no podía aguantar soltar según qué comentarios (sobre todo cuando me los decían a mí primero y yo me sentía en la obligación de atacar), y quizás por eso este libro me ha dado un poco de problemas. La información está y, además, muy bien explicada. En vez de en audiolibro, me gustaría haberlo leído en físico para poder subrayar y marcar todos los datos que puedo sacar cuando alguien intente hacerme sentir inferior por no consumir carne (algo que, la verdad, no pasa casi nunca ya). No obstante, muchos de los comentarios, sobre todo hacia el final de libro, se me han hecho un poco condescendientes y soltados desde el privilegio.
Ser vegano es un privilegio. Un privilegio de ser consciente de lo que comes y por qué lo comes, un privilegio económico, un privilegio familiar (si eres joven y vives con tu familia, esta debe estar de acuerdo en de golpe cambiar toda la compra semanal por ti). La mayoría de gente come carne por conveniencia, no por ser una panda de psicópatas a los que les gusta matar. Incluso la gente que se hizo vegana y lo dejó de ser, no lo ha hecho por ser malas personas. Este libro expone muy bien las razones por las que hacerse vegano es algo positivo para la salud, los animales y el planeta (argumento que sigue siendo el que más me gusta), pero lo hace algo agresivamente.
Lo que sí destaco de este libro es como ha juntado toda la información que yo he ido recopilando después de 9 años siendo consciente de dónde vienen los muslos de pollo que me hacía mi madre. En 320 páginas, está todo resumido y, encima, con artículos modernos. Es destacable, también, el tema del coronavirus y todos los virus zoonóticos, ya que es un tema ahora mismo muy candente.Si sirve de algo que sirva para que la gente se de cuenta de cuán peligrosa es la industria del pollo para la salud de todo el mundo.
Recomiendo este libro a todo aquel que esté abierto a escuchar la opinión de un vegano algo bruto y muy masculino. Al libro le ha faltado la sensibilidad que me gusta tanto del veganismo, ya que considero que es un movimiento compasivo y no autoritario. Los veganos escogemos no ser parte del sufrimiento y maltrato animal, pero no podemos olvidarnos de las personas que nos rodean y de que cada persona lleva un ritmo diferente y tiene unas opiniones diferentes. Creo que con la compasión hacia los demás el mensaje puede llegar mucho, mucho más lejos.
Llevo sin comer carne ni pescado desde 2013 y siendo vegana desde 2014. Aunque durante algunas etapas he vuelto a comer huevo y algunos lácteos (por un tema de salud, no vengo ahora mismo a debatir con nadie por qué), nunca he dejado de considerarme vegana y así lo sabe todo el mundo que me rodea. Alrededor mío no acepto comentarios sobre comer cordero o ternera y tampoco que pongan en duda mis ideales, igual que yo no lo hago.
Me considero una vegana bastante suave. Pese a que al principio no podía aguantar soltar según qué comentarios (sobre todo cuando me los decían a mí primero y yo me sentía en la obligación de atacar), y quizás por eso este libro me ha dado un poco de problemas. La información está y, además, muy bien explicada. En vez de en audiolibro, me gustaría haberlo leído en físico para poder subrayar y marcar todos los datos que puedo sacar cuando alguien intente hacerme sentir inferior por no consumir carne (algo que, la verdad, no pasa casi nunca ya). No obstante, muchos de los comentarios, sobre todo hacia el final de libro, se me han hecho un poco condescendientes y soltados desde el privilegio.
Ser vegano es un privilegio. Un privilegio de ser consciente de lo que comes y por qué lo comes, un privilegio económico, un privilegio familiar (si eres joven y vives con tu familia, esta debe estar de acuerdo en de golpe cambiar toda la compra semanal por ti). La mayoría de gente come carne por conveniencia, no por ser una panda de psicópatas a los que les gusta matar. Incluso la gente que se hizo vegana y lo dejó de ser, no lo ha hecho por ser malas personas. Este libro expone muy bien las razones por las que hacerse vegano es algo positivo para la salud, los animales y el planeta (argumento que sigue siendo el que más me gusta), pero lo hace algo agresivamente.
Lo que sí destaco de este libro es como ha juntado toda la información que yo he ido recopilando después de 9 años siendo consciente de dónde vienen los muslos de pollo que me hacía mi madre. En 320 páginas, está todo resumido y, encima, con artículos modernos. Es destacable, también, el tema del coronavirus y todos los virus zoonóticos, ya que es un tema ahora mismo muy candente.Si sirve de algo que sirva para que la gente se de cuenta de cuán peligrosa es la industria del pollo para la salud de todo el mundo.
Recomiendo este libro a todo aquel que esté abierto a escuchar la opinión de un vegano algo bruto y muy masculino. Al libro le ha faltado la sensibilidad que me gusta tanto del veganismo, ya que considero que es un movimiento compasivo y no autoritario. Los veganos escogemos no ser parte del sufrimiento y maltrato animal, pero no podemos olvidarnos de las personas que nos rodean y de que cada persona lleva un ritmo diferente y tiene unas opiniones diferentes. Creo que con la compasión hacia los demás el mensaje puede llegar mucho, mucho más lejos.
January 13, 2022
It should be clear that I read this book as a vegan beforehand, and I am pretty well informed on most aspects of the industry in large part due to Ed’s content. He has helped to solidify my conviction in being vegan. I ‘read’ the audiobook version, which is well-narrated by Ed.
That said, the information was very thorough and Ed covered quite a bit of ground. The part about pandemics was very engaging, as it is one part of the industry I have not read much about. The media and lobbying chapter was particularly interesting as well.
The chapters describing the lives of farmed animals was nothing new to me and it felt like hearing YouTube videos of his I had seen before being rehashed. However, if a non-vegan picked up this book, the reading would probably be fresh, unknown, and shocking.
The unfortunately brief afterword tried to establish solutions to animal ag. The analysis lacked any critical mention of the profit motive. At one point, Ed suggests that we should tax animal products, which, for various reasons, I find very misguided. If a reader similarly lacks an anti-capitalist lens, the book would, I hope, be very effective in convincing them to go vegan or at least strongly consider it. For that alone, the book mostly gets my support.
“The stagnation of progress comes from apathy, complacency, and the refusal to critically reflect.” Unfortunately, Ed did not much expand on this to address the radical issue that creates it: the industry will ALWAYS prefer to lobby and propagandize if their profit motive is threatened. They will dig their heals in while funding more disinformation to dispel rising doubts, discourage public dissent, and prevent any real legislative change.
“Let’s reclaim this public money, and redistribute it to help farmers, help animals, help the planet, and help us.” I just don’t see this redistribution ever coming to fruition under capitalism. Overall, I would probably recommend it to the average non-vegan. However, I would contend that veganism as a movement must incorporate a critical analysis of capitalism’s involvement in the furtherance of animal ag as we look ahead and demand change.
That said, the information was very thorough and Ed covered quite a bit of ground. The part about pandemics was very engaging, as it is one part of the industry I have not read much about. The media and lobbying chapter was particularly interesting as well.
The chapters describing the lives of farmed animals was nothing new to me and it felt like hearing YouTube videos of his I had seen before being rehashed. However, if a non-vegan picked up this book, the reading would probably be fresh, unknown, and shocking.
The unfortunately brief afterword tried to establish solutions to animal ag. The analysis lacked any critical mention of the profit motive. At one point, Ed suggests that we should tax animal products, which, for various reasons, I find very misguided. If a reader similarly lacks an anti-capitalist lens, the book would, I hope, be very effective in convincing them to go vegan or at least strongly consider it. For that alone, the book mostly gets my support.
“The stagnation of progress comes from apathy, complacency, and the refusal to critically reflect.” Unfortunately, Ed did not much expand on this to address the radical issue that creates it: the industry will ALWAYS prefer to lobby and propagandize if their profit motive is threatened. They will dig their heals in while funding more disinformation to dispel rising doubts, discourage public dissent, and prevent any real legislative change.
“Let’s reclaim this public money, and redistribute it to help farmers, help animals, help the planet, and help us.” I just don’t see this redistribution ever coming to fruition under capitalism. Overall, I would probably recommend it to the average non-vegan. However, I would contend that veganism as a movement must incorporate a critical analysis of capitalism’s involvement in the furtherance of animal ag as we look ahead and demand change.
January 14, 2022
Absolutely brilliant and a must-read! Ed Winters, or Earthling Ed, is a wonderfully-spoken person with great passion for what he does and tries to share with people, vegans and non-vegans alike, and his first book is written with the same passion and intelligence.
I devoured This is Vegan Propaganda in two days and can't recommend it highly enough. As a vegan of almost 8 years, I found this book ever so informative, often brutal and upsetting, but extremely accessible, important and hopeful. Ed Winters doesn't preach or judge, but he educates, which is so, so important. This is Vegan Propaganda is very well researched, it contains many resources you can check for yourself, it's backed by actual data and science. It's time everyone picked up this book, found out more about the horrendous (and simply wrong and needless) farming industry, educated themselves, and made the right decision for themselves, animals, our planet and the future.
Again, this is an absolute must-read, and I can't wait to see what Ed writes next.
I devoured This is Vegan Propaganda in two days and can't recommend it highly enough. As a vegan of almost 8 years, I found this book ever so informative, often brutal and upsetting, but extremely accessible, important and hopeful. Ed Winters doesn't preach or judge, but he educates, which is so, so important. This is Vegan Propaganda is very well researched, it contains many resources you can check for yourself, it's backed by actual data and science. It's time everyone picked up this book, found out more about the horrendous (and simply wrong and needless) farming industry, educated themselves, and made the right decision for themselves, animals, our planet and the future.
Again, this is an absolute must-read, and I can't wait to see what Ed writes next.
November 21, 2023
I would love to give this 5 stars, as it was so well-researched, impassioned, and comprehensive, and I love Ed’s speeches and his other content. However, as incredible a public speaker and an activist as he is (please, check out his YouTube!), I don’t feel that his skills in that regard translated perfectly to the written word, which is the reason for this book’s imperfect rating. Still, as a vegan of eight years, I found my sense of urgency on the subject of animal liberation totally renewed. He has inspired me to never become complacent; this is an attitude even longtime vegans cannot afford. All that’s left now is to lend this book to anyone who will read it!
February 13, 2022
Must Read For New Vegans and Non Vegans!
Have been following Ed for a long time, so its no surprise his book is great. He's so articulate, which makes it super easy to understand all the important information in here. This is the best book for new vegans and people wanting to know more about veganism
Have been following Ed for a long time, so its no surprise his book is great. He's so articulate, which makes it super easy to understand all the important information in here. This is the best book for new vegans and people wanting to know more about veganism
April 2, 2022
I mean.... if you know very little about where animal products in our world come from, it's a good enough overview. But there are quite a few factually tenuous statements particularly in the first few chapters, quite a few logical fallacies in the last few, and overall arrives at what I find to be an immensely overly-simplified conclusion ─ that we should all cut animal products out, all the time. I agree that much is wrong with the animal product industry, but this conclusion is way to deterministic and unrealistic for the real world. On a personal level, I found his way of writing and arguing extremely grating ─ despite the supposed extensive research he did talking to farmers and other agricultural workers, it is abundantly clear he never actually listened to them. All in all, a good summary of the issues with both the animal industry, and white, Western, veganism!
January 26, 2022
One of the most important books that I’ve read. It is empathetic and compellingly written and presents a broad and clear picture of the absurdity and complete needlessness of our current world culture of apathy and cruelty towards animals. It also gives you a sense of hope of what we can accomplish and create in its place.
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