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The Mindful Carnivore
A vegan-turned-hunter reignites the connection between humans and our food sources and continues the dialog begun by Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver.
While still in high school, Tovar Cerulli experimented with vegetarianism and by the age of twenty, he was a vegan. Ten years later, in the face of declining health, he would find himself picking up a rifle and heading into the woods.
Through his personal quest, Tovar Cerulli bridges disparate worldviews and questions moral certainties, challenging both the behavior of many hunters and the illusion of blamelessness maintained by many vegetarians. In this time of intensifying concern over ecological degradation, how do we make peace with the fact that, even in growing organic vegetables, life is sustained by death? Drawing on personal anecdotes, philosophy, history and religion, Cerulli shows how America’s overly sanitized habits of consumption and disconnection with our food have resulted in so many of the health and environmental crises we now face.
While still in high school, Tovar Cerulli experimented with vegetarianism and by the age of twenty, he was a vegan. Ten years later, in the face of declining health, he would find himself picking up a rifle and heading into the woods.
Through his personal quest, Tovar Cerulli bridges disparate worldviews and questions moral certainties, challenging both the behavior of many hunters and the illusion of blamelessness maintained by many vegetarians. In this time of intensifying concern over ecological degradation, how do we make peace with the fact that, even in growing organic vegetables, life is sustained by death? Drawing on personal anecdotes, philosophy, history and religion, Cerulli shows how America’s overly sanitized habits of consumption and disconnection with our food have resulted in so many of the health and environmental crises we now face.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
32 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
About the author
Tovar Cerulli
3 books7 followersTovar Cerulli has worked as a logger, carpenter, and freelance writer. His essays and articles have appeared in various publications, including Outdoor America and Northern Woodlands. In 2009, Cerulli was awarded a graduate school fellowship by the University of Massachusetts, where his research has focused on food, hunting, and human relationships with the natural world.
He lives in Vermont with his wife Catherine, their Labrador retriever, and an eclectic mix of cookbooks.
He lives in Vermont with his wife Catherine, their Labrador retriever, and an eclectic mix of cookbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 4, 2012
http://em-and-emm.blogspot.com/2012/0...
Throughout his life, Tovar Cerulli has spent more time outdoors and observing nature than most people do. His childhood gave him a deep appreciation of how each animal is important to the natural world, and he came away with a deep reverence for all kinds of life. His experiences with fishing as a child also gave him an understanding of where his food comes from, and how it connects him back to the wider world. As an adult, this awareness led to Cerulli becoming a vegetarian, and then a vegan, believing that it was unethical to take a life for the purposes of eating, especially when there were so many other options available. Over time, however, Cerulli's further observations of the natural world led him to an understanding that his veganism was, in a way, separating him more from the natural world and was leaving him hungering for something more. The Mindful Carnivore is an explanation of the beliefs that brought Cerulli back to eating meat, and back to hunting and fishing, and how his new lifestyle remains compatible with the beliefs that brought him to vegetarianism.
This book was by far and away one of the more thought-provoking, clearly explained, and beautiful books that I've ever read on vegetarianism, eating in general, or humanity's connection to nature. First of all, the writing is top-notch. Cerulli's writing never becomes dry or boring, and it never becomes preachy. When he explains his beliefs, he does it gently and simply, so the reader never feels put on the spot. His anecdotes about the events in his life that shaped his beliefs are so interesting to read, partially because the language he uses really brings the story alive.
The other thing that makes this book wonderful is the content. As a vegetarian myself, I frequently find myself challenged to explain why I eat the way I do. Sometimes it's because people are genuinely curious, but more often than not, I think people like to rationalize to themselves why they think it's okay to eat meat. Generally I find that most people's reasons for eating meat are a) they really would rather live in ignorance rather than learn the truth about meat production in America and b) they're too lazy to make a change. If all meat eaters in America were like Tovar Cerulli, though, I would be so happy.
Mr. Cerulli chose to go back to eating meat for several reasons: he mentioned that his veganism was leaving him feeling a little unhealthy, but more importantly, he often felt like he wasn't connected to the world in the same way that he was when he was still fishing for food. He views hunting and fishing as an almost spiritual experience. Fishing is generally a very quiet sport, leaving the fisherman with a lot of time for quiet contemplation of the world around him, and hunting requires that the hunter have a good understanding of how animals move and think, and how they interact with each other and the forest around them. I would like to believe that all hunters and fishermen approach their sports with this much reverence, but there are too many people out there who treat it as an excuse to drink beer or an excuse to show off their guns or an excuse to shoot a beautiful animal just so they can stick its head on a wall. If only all hunters were like Tovar Cerulli, I'm pretty sure the world would be a much better place.
Cerulli also made the very, very respectable and admirable decision to only hunt for sustenance, and only eat meat when he knew where it came from, whether it came from his own hunting, or from a source that he knew was ethical, respectful, and trustworthy. This is probably the part of the book that makes me respect him the most. Part of what drives me to be a vegetarian is that if I do not have the guts to look an animal in the eye and end its life with my own hands, then I lack the moral authority to ask someone else to do it for me. Since I obviously don't have the stomach for hunting, that really only leaves store-bought meat, and to me, giving someone money for their product represents an implicit endorsement of the practices used to produce said product. There is no way that I could ever approve of the vast, vast majority of American meat production practices (most people wouldn't, if they could bring themselves to care enough to educate themselves!!), which pretty much leaves me with vegetarianism as the best option. Cerulli manages to bring his beliefs about animal welfare and naturalist ethics along with him when he becomes a hunter, and never loses his reverence for the animal's life, or the beauty of the animal's (and his) part in the greater scheme of the world.
While this book didn't lead me to change any of my own personal habits (see above), I am very glad I read it and I feel like I'm a better person for it. This should be required reading for everyone who eats meat, and everyone who does not (so, basically everyone). Vegetarians should understand that eating meat isn't inherently evil in and of itself; it's the practices that go along with it that are so abhorrent. Meat eaters should understand that when they eat that burger or steak, it came from an animal leading a really artificial and pain-filled life, and they should know that there are better alternatives out there. I'm a big, big proponent of people keeping themselves educated, and there is nothing I hate more than willful ignorance ("Don't tell me those terrible things about factory farms, it'll just make me sad. Excuse me while I go make my chicken dinner"). So, if I could, I would make everyone read this book!
5/5 stars
Throughout his life, Tovar Cerulli has spent more time outdoors and observing nature than most people do. His childhood gave him a deep appreciation of how each animal is important to the natural world, and he came away with a deep reverence for all kinds of life. His experiences with fishing as a child also gave him an understanding of where his food comes from, and how it connects him back to the wider world. As an adult, this awareness led to Cerulli becoming a vegetarian, and then a vegan, believing that it was unethical to take a life for the purposes of eating, especially when there were so many other options available. Over time, however, Cerulli's further observations of the natural world led him to an understanding that his veganism was, in a way, separating him more from the natural world and was leaving him hungering for something more. The Mindful Carnivore is an explanation of the beliefs that brought Cerulli back to eating meat, and back to hunting and fishing, and how his new lifestyle remains compatible with the beliefs that brought him to vegetarianism.
This book was by far and away one of the more thought-provoking, clearly explained, and beautiful books that I've ever read on vegetarianism, eating in general, or humanity's connection to nature. First of all, the writing is top-notch. Cerulli's writing never becomes dry or boring, and it never becomes preachy. When he explains his beliefs, he does it gently and simply, so the reader never feels put on the spot. His anecdotes about the events in his life that shaped his beliefs are so interesting to read, partially because the language he uses really brings the story alive.
The other thing that makes this book wonderful is the content. As a vegetarian myself, I frequently find myself challenged to explain why I eat the way I do. Sometimes it's because people are genuinely curious, but more often than not, I think people like to rationalize to themselves why they think it's okay to eat meat. Generally I find that most people's reasons for eating meat are a) they really would rather live in ignorance rather than learn the truth about meat production in America and b) they're too lazy to make a change. If all meat eaters in America were like Tovar Cerulli, though, I would be so happy.
Mr. Cerulli chose to go back to eating meat for several reasons: he mentioned that his veganism was leaving him feeling a little unhealthy, but more importantly, he often felt like he wasn't connected to the world in the same way that he was when he was still fishing for food. He views hunting and fishing as an almost spiritual experience. Fishing is generally a very quiet sport, leaving the fisherman with a lot of time for quiet contemplation of the world around him, and hunting requires that the hunter have a good understanding of how animals move and think, and how they interact with each other and the forest around them. I would like to believe that all hunters and fishermen approach their sports with this much reverence, but there are too many people out there who treat it as an excuse to drink beer or an excuse to show off their guns or an excuse to shoot a beautiful animal just so they can stick its head on a wall. If only all hunters were like Tovar Cerulli, I'm pretty sure the world would be a much better place.
Cerulli also made the very, very respectable and admirable decision to only hunt for sustenance, and only eat meat when he knew where it came from, whether it came from his own hunting, or from a source that he knew was ethical, respectful, and trustworthy. This is probably the part of the book that makes me respect him the most. Part of what drives me to be a vegetarian is that if I do not have the guts to look an animal in the eye and end its life with my own hands, then I lack the moral authority to ask someone else to do it for me. Since I obviously don't have the stomach for hunting, that really only leaves store-bought meat, and to me, giving someone money for their product represents an implicit endorsement of the practices used to produce said product. There is no way that I could ever approve of the vast, vast majority of American meat production practices (most people wouldn't, if they could bring themselves to care enough to educate themselves!!), which pretty much leaves me with vegetarianism as the best option. Cerulli manages to bring his beliefs about animal welfare and naturalist ethics along with him when he becomes a hunter, and never loses his reverence for the animal's life, or the beauty of the animal's (and his) part in the greater scheme of the world.
While this book didn't lead me to change any of my own personal habits (see above), I am very glad I read it and I feel like I'm a better person for it. This should be required reading for everyone who eats meat, and everyone who does not (so, basically everyone). Vegetarians should understand that eating meat isn't inherently evil in and of itself; it's the practices that go along with it that are so abhorrent. Meat eaters should understand that when they eat that burger or steak, it came from an animal leading a really artificial and pain-filled life, and they should know that there are better alternatives out there. I'm a big, big proponent of people keeping themselves educated, and there is nothing I hate more than willful ignorance ("Don't tell me those terrible things about factory farms, it'll just make me sad. Excuse me while I go make my chicken dinner"). So, if I could, I would make everyone read this book!
5/5 stars
January 21, 2025
Поредната история на веган, който след дългогодишна морална агония се върнал към нормалното хранене, тоя даже станал ловец.
Интересно е, че червената нишка във всички тия книги и истории е моментът, в който веганът се захваща да си направи собствена градина и да си гледа зеленчуци и тогава, след много мъки относно изкуствена/естествена тор, нуждата от пчелите и борба с вредители, го спохожда просветлението за кръговрата на живота и смъртта в природата и че ние, искаме или не, сме част от него - нещо, което трябваше да е схванал още на 6 г. когато е гледал Цар Лъв. Все пак има цяла песен за това там.
Интересно е, че червената нишка във всички тия книги и истории е моментът, в който веганът се захваща да си направи собствена градина и да си гледа зеленчуци и тогава, след много мъки относно изкуствена/естествена тор, нуждата от пчелите и борба с вредители, го спохожда просветлението за кръговрата на живота и смъртта в природата и че ние, искаме или не, сме част от него - нещо, което трябваше да е схванал още на 6 г. когато е гледал Цар Лъв. Все пак има цяла песен за това там.
March 24, 2012
I really enjoyed some of the chapters, but the rest seemed to just drag on.
Definitely got me thinking more about how unmindful we can be about the choices we make regarding food.
I especially enjoyed his commentary on those who make an almost militant argument for vegetarianism or vegan lifestyles based on ethical issues. There are so many animals that end up dying in order to give us our wheat, greens, and other veggies.
Definitely got me thinking more about how unmindful we can be about the choices we make regarding food.
I especially enjoyed his commentary on those who make an almost militant argument for vegetarianism or vegan lifestyles based on ethical issues. There are so many animals that end up dying in order to give us our wheat, greens, and other veggies.
July 20, 2013
In The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian’s Hunt for Sustenance (Pegasus Books, 2012), Cerulli beautifully chronicles his philosophical approach to eating and living. The book follows his journey from eschewing not only flesh but all animal products—such as milk and honey—to becoming, improbably, a hunter of deer in New England’s woods.
Rest assured, his journey is far from a navel-gazing or vain adventure. In his writing, Cerulli interweaves literary influences and meditations that span from Buddhism to animal-rights ethics to farming to hunting. It’s an approach that augments the threads of his personal life narrative with a broader connection to the link between the ethics of how animals (both wild and domestic) are treated in our normal channels of food production—even the organic farming of vegetables.
The vast array of sources Cerulli draws upon reveal his deep interest in pursuing “mindful” eating, and exposes his driving mission to seek out the “right” way to live. I interpreted this “right path,” in his view, to be one of minimal impact to the natural world, but also one that yields a healthy diet and a deep personal connection to food and how it is produced.
One of the things I most appreciated about Cerulli’s book is the honesty he demonstrates in anecdote after anecdote when explaining how his thoughts and attitudes toward food, and animals in particular, have changed over time. In the beginning he shares cherished memories of fishing as a child, and of eating his catch. We learn of his attempts later in life when he is vegan to create and maintain a vegetable garden with his wife, and the moral dilemma posed by raiding groundhogs, deer and even squash beetles. After coming to terms with the fact that animals are routinely killed for the production of his local organic vegetables from a co-op (the farmer he bought from shot deer and bombed out groundhog burrows), Cerulli decides that if animals had to die to produce his food, he might as well take part in eating them to reduce waste.
One of the best parts of the book is when Cerulli confronts his inner struggle over hunting. This one line is so brutally honest that it caught my breath: “My problem wasn’t with hunting. It was with hunters.” He then dissects various attitudes toward the act of taking an animal’s life, from those who view it as a reverent spiritual act, to those who do it for sustenance, to those who treat it carelessly and kill mainly for the trophy of a stuffed carcass. He concludes that he approves of hunting when it was down with respect and mindfulness, with reverence of the life being taken, and with the purpose of sustenance.
After conversing with an uncle Cerulli respects who is also an accomplished hunter, Cerulli takes a firearm safety course, learns to track and stalk deer, and then spends many hours sitting quietly in various woods waiting for a deer to wander by. What happens when he finally sees a deer? Will he pull the trigger? You’ll have to read the book to find out. (Want more? Read the full review on this book here.)
Rest assured, his journey is far from a navel-gazing or vain adventure. In his writing, Cerulli interweaves literary influences and meditations that span from Buddhism to animal-rights ethics to farming to hunting. It’s an approach that augments the threads of his personal life narrative with a broader connection to the link between the ethics of how animals (both wild and domestic) are treated in our normal channels of food production—even the organic farming of vegetables.
The vast array of sources Cerulli draws upon reveal his deep interest in pursuing “mindful” eating, and exposes his driving mission to seek out the “right” way to live. I interpreted this “right path,” in his view, to be one of minimal impact to the natural world, but also one that yields a healthy diet and a deep personal connection to food and how it is produced.
One of the things I most appreciated about Cerulli’s book is the honesty he demonstrates in anecdote after anecdote when explaining how his thoughts and attitudes toward food, and animals in particular, have changed over time. In the beginning he shares cherished memories of fishing as a child, and of eating his catch. We learn of his attempts later in life when he is vegan to create and maintain a vegetable garden with his wife, and the moral dilemma posed by raiding groundhogs, deer and even squash beetles. After coming to terms with the fact that animals are routinely killed for the production of his local organic vegetables from a co-op (the farmer he bought from shot deer and bombed out groundhog burrows), Cerulli decides that if animals had to die to produce his food, he might as well take part in eating them to reduce waste.
One of the best parts of the book is when Cerulli confronts his inner struggle over hunting. This one line is so brutally honest that it caught my breath: “My problem wasn’t with hunting. It was with hunters.” He then dissects various attitudes toward the act of taking an animal’s life, from those who view it as a reverent spiritual act, to those who do it for sustenance, to those who treat it carelessly and kill mainly for the trophy of a stuffed carcass. He concludes that he approves of hunting when it was down with respect and mindfulness, with reverence of the life being taken, and with the purpose of sustenance.
After conversing with an uncle Cerulli respects who is also an accomplished hunter, Cerulli takes a firearm safety course, learns to track and stalk deer, and then spends many hours sitting quietly in various woods waiting for a deer to wander by. What happens when he finally sees a deer? Will he pull the trigger? You’ll have to read the book to find out. (Want more? Read the full review on this book here.)
June 22, 2017
Ironically, I consumed this book with the voracious appetite of a mindless carnivore, finishing it in only a couple of days.
I initially picked up this book at a used and new bookstore in Burlington, and was attracted to both the title and the fact that it was written by a local author from Vermont. My interest in the title was sparked because of my sister, who has been living as a vegan for at least two years. Early in her transition, I had even considered becoming a vegan myself, torn between my compassionate nature for other living beings on this planet and my love for the indescribable allure that is the blood and flesh of other mammals. Was I wrong to consume meat?
The opening paragraph of the book is brilliant. Tovar illustrates the struggle in the face of this moral question elegantly. In the first scene, he cuts the head off of a freshly caught trout and vows to never eat flesh again. Over the course of the story, the reader is pulled through his continued struggles.
The prose is written beautifully. It is obvious the author has a profound connection and love of nature. He lets us travel along Vermont rivers and streams, following the silver flashes of brookies glinting in the sunlight. He effortlessly describes the motions of deer and the habitat they thrive in, immersing the reader in the crunch of dry, crispy fall maple leaves and the cold wet snow settling over the dark trunks and branches of trees.
Overall, I can't recommend it enough.
I initially picked up this book at a used and new bookstore in Burlington, and was attracted to both the title and the fact that it was written by a local author from Vermont. My interest in the title was sparked because of my sister, who has been living as a vegan for at least two years. Early in her transition, I had even considered becoming a vegan myself, torn between my compassionate nature for other living beings on this planet and my love for the indescribable allure that is the blood and flesh of other mammals. Was I wrong to consume meat?
The opening paragraph of the book is brilliant. Tovar illustrates the struggle in the face of this moral question elegantly. In the first scene, he cuts the head off of a freshly caught trout and vows to never eat flesh again. Over the course of the story, the reader is pulled through his continued struggles.
The prose is written beautifully. It is obvious the author has a profound connection and love of nature. He lets us travel along Vermont rivers and streams, following the silver flashes of brookies glinting in the sunlight. He effortlessly describes the motions of deer and the habitat they thrive in, immersing the reader in the crunch of dry, crispy fall maple leaves and the cold wet snow settling over the dark trunks and branches of trees.
Overall, I can't recommend it enough.
May 5, 2012
I picked up this book because I have been trying to figure out the right balance for myself in eating meat/becoming a vegetarian. All that I have learned about processed foods and meat in the US has driven me toward a mostly vegetarian diet, yet I grew up hunting with my Dad and eating meat. I like meat and morally do not object to an animal's death, yet the methods in the country are awful and damaging.
So I was pleased to read a perspective from someone who didn't have a hunting background and was vegan making the switch to a "mindful carnivore". There are some very interesting points brought up about the "circle of life" and how all living organisms are connected. Being vegan or vegetarian doesn't necessarily exempt you from the death or harm of fellow creatures.
My only complaint about the book is that some parts seem to ramble. I liked learning about Cerulli's childhood and those who influenced his becoming a hunter, but some chapters seem disjointed or went to much into a particular experience without really uncovering what that meant to him.
Ultimately, anyone desiring to become a "mindful carnivore" should give this book a shot.
So I was pleased to read a perspective from someone who didn't have a hunting background and was vegan making the switch to a "mindful carnivore". There are some very interesting points brought up about the "circle of life" and how all living organisms are connected. Being vegan or vegetarian doesn't necessarily exempt you from the death or harm of fellow creatures.
My only complaint about the book is that some parts seem to ramble. I liked learning about Cerulli's childhood and those who influenced his becoming a hunter, but some chapters seem disjointed or went to much into a particular experience without really uncovering what that meant to him.
Ultimately, anyone desiring to become a "mindful carnivore" should give this book a shot.
June 22, 2012
I found this to be an incredible book. The author made emotional and logical travels which took him from a fisherman to a vegan growing his own vegetables and then back along the scale to someone considering deer hunting for both meat and as a way to fully experience the reality of life.
I agree with many of his conclusions, one of which is that many people are allowing others to take their burdens (you might be vegetarian but animals and insects and birds still made the sacrifice for you to get your vegetables, or a meat-eater who doesn't consider the welfare or (in)humane death of the animal providing your meat) and do tend to think that respect for life is important. His friend Richard, who followed the Buddhist philosophy of minimalizing harm, seems to be the closest to my personal ideals (I'm not a Buddhist though!).
I agree with many of his conclusions, one of which is that many people are allowing others to take their burdens (you might be vegetarian but animals and insects and birds still made the sacrifice for you to get your vegetables, or a meat-eater who doesn't consider the welfare or (in)humane death of the animal providing your meat) and do tend to think that respect for life is important. His friend Richard, who followed the Buddhist philosophy of minimalizing harm, seems to be the closest to my personal ideals (I'm not a Buddhist though!).
January 1, 2012
Honesty I don't know how to feel about this book. Some parts had a really good flow and brought up interesting ideas, in others it repeated its self and at times you didn't realize what was happening until afterwords because of the weird way it was worded.
So it's a good idea for a book and some parts work really well, but the majority I just wanted to skip and really wish where cut out or redone.
Received from NetGallary.
So it's a good idea for a book and some parts work really well, but the majority I just wanted to skip and really wish where cut out or redone.
Received from NetGallary.
June 28, 2013
I really wanted to like this book. It didn't end up focusing exactly on my values and priorities with regards to food issues, but I thought his focus on history and ethics would still be worth reading. But the history was much too dry and the ethics were much too hippie dippie (that's right, I said it). And way too much of it ended up being stories of him unsuccessfully trying to hunt (Spoiler: he finally got one. By then I really didn't care either way as long as the book was almost over.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2022
Tovar takes a very open, honest, and critical look into food ethics. I appreciated that he brings forth his various personal perspectives as a vegan, a vegetarian, a fisher, a logger, and a (mostly whitetail deer) hunter. His anecdotes are absorbing and supported by well-referenced research when applicable. Overall, absolutely loved it and enjoyed that Tovar challenges the reader to view things from varying angles, which is something I think we all could use a little more practice with. Only knocking down to four stars given that the books drags in certain chapters.
August 27, 2024
A treasure. Well considered and well written. I resonated with this story, having grown up in a hunting culture, then becoming a passionate vegetarian, and now eating a paleo diet and working in an organization where interactions with hunters are common. Everyone who worries about the ethics of hunting should read this book - and so should hunters who want to understand how to communicate with people outside of hunting culture. This book is a bridge; we need more like it.
February 14, 2017
Do not read this book if you're looking for someone to tell you that omnivorism or vegetarianism is the right way to live. Cerulli talks about his decision to eat meat after years of being a vegetarian and then vegan and his almost daily struggles with his choices for the first few years. But he also talks about responsibility to the Earth and how people and animals affect the land. I found this honest, raw memoir really fascinating!
Read
June 12, 2020I’ve been quite fascinated by the questions about where our food comes from over the last couple of years and documentaries such as Food Inc and Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals have only added to my interest. Although I have weighed up my carnivore lifestyle numerous times over the last decade, I still keep returning to the meat counter or section. So, what would Cerulli’s The Mindful Carnivore teach me about my attitudes?
I really don’t know what I expected about the book but it raised some real questions that I had never expected to address. Cerulli spends a lot of time considering hunting: hunting for food, hunting for sport. I have never hunted – I have no desire to hunt – but I’m aware of the hypocrisy I would present if I looked down on anyone who hunted for food. Surely it shows more respect for the produce you eat than a schlep to the meat counter does?
Cerulli interweaves this tale of his personal history with food and, specifically, meat with factual information, personal anecdotes, quotations from various sources both pro and anti-hunting and both for and against vegetarianism.
All in all, this is a very very well-constructed book but neither aims to preach nor to condemn but simply to detail one man’s quest for answers about this particular and what he has discovered on the journey. At times touching, at other times disturbing, this is an incredibly emotive book, yet still manages to keep a tight hold of the facts.
Review originally published on Book Bags and Cat Naps. I received a copy of this title in exchange for my fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation. All views are my own.
I really don’t know what I expected about the book but it raised some real questions that I had never expected to address. Cerulli spends a lot of time considering hunting: hunting for food, hunting for sport. I have never hunted – I have no desire to hunt – but I’m aware of the hypocrisy I would present if I looked down on anyone who hunted for food. Surely it shows more respect for the produce you eat than a schlep to the meat counter does?
Cerulli interweaves this tale of his personal history with food and, specifically, meat with factual information, personal anecdotes, quotations from various sources both pro and anti-hunting and both for and against vegetarianism.
All in all, this is a very very well-constructed book but neither aims to preach nor to condemn but simply to detail one man’s quest for answers about this particular and what he has discovered on the journey. At times touching, at other times disturbing, this is an incredibly emotive book, yet still manages to keep a tight hold of the facts.
Review originally published on Book Bags and Cat Naps. I received a copy of this title in exchange for my fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation. All views are my own.
May 29, 2013
I “met” and “know” Tovar via Twitter, but with a 140 character limit, meeting and knowing are definitely subjective. The book is a gateway to knowing the man. Tovar Shares his life, his family, friends, and private thoughts. It’s also a synthesis on the subject, with the inclusion of facts and great quotes.
If I had picked up the book without any knowledge of the author, I frankly would have enjoyed the book as much – books that make you think are my favorite.
A tough subject? Indeed – hunting and vegetarianism are about as opposite as you can get, and adherents of either would appear to have little in common.
Many of us have thought and thought deeply about being mindful, and eating mindfully. A living being must eat! We are all estranged from the reality of eating – do we know where any of what’s on our plate comes from – as we are are estranged from so much of reality in this current industrialized society. We forgo the hard choices, the life and death choices that give us life, while relying on the neatly packaged items in the store.
A personal and thoughtful journey, “The Mindful Carnivore” is a must read for everyone concerned about the impact of their diet on the planet, and on their inner being.
If I had picked up the book without any knowledge of the author, I frankly would have enjoyed the book as much – books that make you think are my favorite.
A tough subject? Indeed – hunting and vegetarianism are about as opposite as you can get, and adherents of either would appear to have little in common.
Many of us have thought and thought deeply about being mindful, and eating mindfully. A living being must eat! We are all estranged from the reality of eating – do we know where any of what’s on our plate comes from – as we are are estranged from so much of reality in this current industrialized society. We forgo the hard choices, the life and death choices that give us life, while relying on the neatly packaged items in the store.
A personal and thoughtful journey, “The Mindful Carnivore” is a must read for everyone concerned about the impact of their diet on the planet, and on their inner being.
March 6, 2013
I loved this book! I was so pleasantly surprised that it talked about so much more than just the basics of being a vegetarian vs being a "carnivore." There was a lot of unexpected substance to this book, and I learned a lot. At heart, it's about the author's moral journey with food, and along the way he introduces topics such as religion, spirituality, the history of vegetarianism, the history of hunting as a "sport," ecofeminism, and more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about where their food comes from and the impact that we all have on life on this earth--regardless of whether we're vegan, vegetarian, or omnivores.
July 19, 2013
I won this book from a free goodreads giveaway. At first I worried that I would not be able to get into this book, that I would find it slow and boring. I had never really read anything comparable. However I found the book quite interesting, and captivating. The author does a good job helping you see things from different points of view, examining different ways to look at the topic on hand. At times the author throws a lot of information and statistics at you at one time, which can be daunting, but then he recovers quite well. I think this book is an excellent read for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike, a great lesson in compassion and respect.
Want to read
August 11, 2013I have to set this aside. I got past the point where it was helpful to me and I have realized I am not in the mood to get back to it anytime soon. However, I believe I will someday because the writing is nice, thoughtful, provocative, and the author presents some interesting research regarding American social history regarding land use and food production and ethics.
April 13, 2021
I liked but did not love this book. The author, a vegan who strives to live a compassionate life influenced by his Buddhist teachings, begins to question his lifestyle after reflecting on the many ways animals are indirectly harmed despite his best intentions (Examples: woodchucks and deer being shot by farmers eager to protect their vegetable gardens, habitat loss leading to species extinction). Ultimately, he decides he needs more protein in his diet and believes that the only way he can stomach eating meat is if he respectfully and intentionally kills it himself, versus buying food produced through the industrial factory farming complex. I thought he brought up a lot of good and thought-provoking arguments in support of the guarantee of a swift and humane death by hunting versus the uncertain outcome most animals deal with in the wild. Ultimately, he’s saying that it’s very complicated and that there is no “right way” to be as long as you prioritize mindfulness and compassion in your pursuit of sustenance. The reason I docked a few stars is because he rambles a lot and the book dragged on far too long.
December 13, 2024
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but as a flexitarian who has dabbled in veganism over the years, I was very interested to follow this person's journey from meat eater to vegetarian to vegan back to meat eater.
While the author's personal journey is incredibly sincere and conscientious, at times I found myself skimming through most of the factoids about the history of hunting/fishing and its effects on animals and the ecosystem. Although that didn't necessarily interest me, I feel that it would be illuminating and fascinating to someone who enjoys hunting themselves or is looking to begin a hunting journey.
At every step the author is soul-searching and deliberate with his choices and motivations. I'd love to see what kind of world we would be living in if the majority of hunters and fishermen took the same approach to harvesting animals. If we truly looked deeply into the meat that we consume how would that change our hearts in regards to the rest of nature and the impact we have? This book was full of food for thought that I will probably be ruminating on for a long time to come.
While the author's personal journey is incredibly sincere and conscientious, at times I found myself skimming through most of the factoids about the history of hunting/fishing and its effects on animals and the ecosystem. Although that didn't necessarily interest me, I feel that it would be illuminating and fascinating to someone who enjoys hunting themselves or is looking to begin a hunting journey.
At every step the author is soul-searching and deliberate with his choices and motivations. I'd love to see what kind of world we would be living in if the majority of hunters and fishermen took the same approach to harvesting animals. If we truly looked deeply into the meat that we consume how would that change our hearts in regards to the rest of nature and the impact we have? This book was full of food for thought that I will probably be ruminating on for a long time to come.
February 4, 2021
5/5
The Mindful Carnivore details Tovar Cerulli's journey from a vegan to a hunter over the course of his life. Cerulli discusses the history of hunting, conservation, and vegetarianism, synthesizing authors of all different opinions from a wide variety of time periods. Cerulli explores the ethics of our eating habits and of our general consumption habits as he confronts what it means to be a human on this Earth. The book bounces between beautiful descriptions of natural scenes from Cerulli's life, to historical and ethical investigations, and to heartfelt "character" moments between Cerulli and the many important people in his life. The writing is very beautiful and really incredible at painting a picture of a scene. Simultaneously, it is very powerful and moving.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody interested in ruminating on the relationship between humans and nature and what makes a human moral.
The Mindful Carnivore details Tovar Cerulli's journey from a vegan to a hunter over the course of his life. Cerulli discusses the history of hunting, conservation, and vegetarianism, synthesizing authors of all different opinions from a wide variety of time periods. Cerulli explores the ethics of our eating habits and of our general consumption habits as he confronts what it means to be a human on this Earth. The book bounces between beautiful descriptions of natural scenes from Cerulli's life, to historical and ethical investigations, and to heartfelt "character" moments between Cerulli and the many important people in his life. The writing is very beautiful and really incredible at painting a picture of a scene. Simultaneously, it is very powerful and moving.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody interested in ruminating on the relationship between humans and nature and what makes a human moral.
January 3, 2025
A thoughtful, touching memoir and a great discussion about the ethics of where we get our food and the philosophical problem of needing to kill to survive. I loved the author’s point of view and honesty. However, the book tries to do too many things, because it also reads as a biology text, a history lesson, and a treatise on conservation that left me skimming and sometimes outright skipping sections of the book. But the beginning and ending were compelling, so overall worthwhile read.
June 2, 2018
Amazing, eye-opening read. I wrote "good point" many a times in the margins throughout this book, both on the side of hunting and of veganism. Cerulli hits it right on the nail the principles by which I follow, and he worded it much more eloquently than I would ever be able to attempt. Highly recommended read.
May 19, 2023
A good book on one man's journey into mindful, sustainable, and practical meat eating. He dives into the complicated argument of hunting being the least cruel way to eat meat and that veganism can be crueler and cause more suffering than hunting because of the amount of habitat and animal/insect destruction needed to sustain mass fruit and vegetable production.
April 23, 2018
It was a good read with some interesting issues. Got me thinking. My criticism would be that it didn't always stay on point, and there seems to be a lot of "filler" and backstory. But I would still recommend it.
August 30, 2017
A surprisingly cheerful view of going through almost every type of diet known to anyone. I'd certainly like to have Tovar's spirit having to face some tough choices over all those years.
November 21, 2018
Truly enjoyed the many perspectives Tovar brings into this book.
March 25, 2020
A paradoxical story that Yielded a new appreciation of the hunter and the ecology they preserve. A bit long winded tho, could easily be 20% less.
October 28, 2020
Nothing new for me, but perhaps better suited to folks who haven't had an introduction to food ethics.
December 1, 2020
Love this book. Such a good account of going vegan, then the need to accept that veganism isn't sustainable or realistic neither health-wise or agriculturally.
August 19, 2021
The ethics of diet are on the forefront of our thinking now more than ever. Vegans and hunters contrast in their ideas about animal death. But their ethics are much closer than they think. They desire an escape from factory farming. They desire a closeness to their food. Tovar Cerulli's journey from vegan to hunter is a crucial piece on food. It should be read by every hunter. Its a shame this book hasn't sold more copies, because it deeply deserves it.
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