Scan barcode
A review by edebell
Mercy for Animals: One Man's Quest to Inspire Compassion and Improve the Lives of Farm Animals by Nathan Runkle, Gene Stone
5.0
Note: This is a review of an animal rights title with some heavy content. If you follow me for my fiction (thank you!), know that while I am passionate about my own beliefs, I respect that others see things differently. I hope you’ll continue to follow me—I appreciate your readership! Now, to the review. : )
If you don’t understand why people are vegan, what’s wrong with dairy or eggs, and/or you think of active animal rights protestors as going too far (I think this sometimes also), I urge you to read this book. Nathan’s story starts with his upbringing and motivations, but quickly shifts to graphic descriptions of the famous undercover operations conducted by Mercy For Animals (MFA). I had seen the videos; they have helped shape my life over the last decade. But now to see the faces, hear the stories behind those videos—it was gripping. By partway through the book, my hands were shaking with rage and horror. And I already knew what happened. If you don’t know, please consider hearing Nathan’s stories. Even if they don’t influence your own beliefs, they should provide a better understanding of why vegans feel the way they do. (Personal note: that’s not about food. It’s about what our relationship is and should be with other species. And how we impact suffering and joy in the world, the way that we see it.) Then the book ends with a positive section - about plant-based food alternatives and vegans who are changing the world.
If you are a vegan and require no convincing, it’s worth reading to hear the details of these undercover operations and the brave heroes who conducted them. Be warned—it’s as ugly as you think it’s going to be. And the whole time you will be internally screaming that making exploitation humane isn’t even the point. But yet, MFA’s reforms have reduced suffering for so many. What they have done and are doing must be embraced as we strive for a greater ideal. If you don’t think you can handle these upsetting stories, consider buying an e-book to show support. Or donate to MFA. By the way, you’ll probably skim the last section as I did, since I know more than I need to about plant-based proteins and famous vegans. (Also, still ewww on lab-grown tissue and egg fluid. Sorry, I cannot be convinced on this!)
The story had additional personal significance as I spent the last ten years in the Dayton, Ohio region where Nathan grew up, and now know the surroundings and culture well, including the attitudes toward dairy, eggs, leather, and meat.
The book is also a fast read. Well worth your time.
Nathan and all the MFA undercover agents, thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for sharing your stories. They will not leave me.
If you don’t understand why people are vegan, what’s wrong with dairy or eggs, and/or you think of active animal rights protestors as going too far (I think this sometimes also), I urge you to read this book. Nathan’s story starts with his upbringing and motivations, but quickly shifts to graphic descriptions of the famous undercover operations conducted by Mercy For Animals (MFA). I had seen the videos; they have helped shape my life over the last decade. But now to see the faces, hear the stories behind those videos—it was gripping. By partway through the book, my hands were shaking with rage and horror. And I already knew what happened. If you don’t know, please consider hearing Nathan’s stories. Even if they don’t influence your own beliefs, they should provide a better understanding of why vegans feel the way they do. (Personal note: that’s not about food. It’s about what our relationship is and should be with other species. And how we impact suffering and joy in the world, the way that we see it.) Then the book ends with a positive section - about plant-based food alternatives and vegans who are changing the world.
If you are a vegan and require no convincing, it’s worth reading to hear the details of these undercover operations and the brave heroes who conducted them. Be warned—it’s as ugly as you think it’s going to be. And the whole time you will be internally screaming that making exploitation humane isn’t even the point. But yet, MFA’s reforms have reduced suffering for so many. What they have done and are doing must be embraced as we strive for a greater ideal. If you don’t think you can handle these upsetting stories, consider buying an e-book to show support. Or donate to MFA. By the way, you’ll probably skim the last section as I did, since I know more than I need to about plant-based proteins and famous vegans. (Also, still ewww on lab-grown tissue and egg fluid. Sorry, I cannot be convinced on this!)
The story had additional personal significance as I spent the last ten years in the Dayton, Ohio region where Nathan grew up, and now know the surroundings and culture well, including the attitudes toward dairy, eggs, leather, and meat.
The book is also a fast read. Well worth your time.
Nathan and all the MFA undercover agents, thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for sharing your stories. They will not leave me.