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Publishing and Media

Lantern

Publishing and Media

Archives: Books

The Humane Hoax

As consumers become increasingly aware of the animal agriculture industry’s cruelty and environmental devastation, clever industry marketers are adapting with alternative “humane” and “sustainable” labeling and marketing campaigns. In the absence of accurate information, it has never been more important to educate people on the realities behind the industry lies, and people are hungry for the truth.


The Humane Hoax features a range of engaging and thought-provoking essays from eighteen notable experts who are at the forefront of this marketing and societal shift, chronicling every aspect with in-depth analyses and intellectual rigor. Among other timely topics, we will explore how the humane hoax intersects with feminism, environmentalism, how it is represented in the media, and the affects it has on human and non-human communities alike. The Humane Hoax will leave the reader questioning everything that they have been conditioned to believe as consumers.

Essays include:

“A Pig Called Silver” by Ingrid L. Taylor

“The Terrible Truths of Backyard Chicken Farming” by Alastor Van Kleeck, Ph.D.

“Murder, She Wrote: Legitimating the Meat Economy with ‘Femivorism’” by John Sanbonmastu, Ph.D.

“One Bad Day” by Carol J. Adams, M.Div.

“Reinforcing Rationalizations and a Rooster” by Hope Bohanec

“Greenwashing a Bloody Business: The Planet Can’t Survive ‘Sustainable’ Animal Farming” by Lorelei Plotczyk, M.B.A.

“Grazing vs. the Planet: The Failed Attempt to Greenwash Animal Farming” by Nicholas Carter, M.A.

“New and Improved?: Deconstructing the Narrative of So-Called Better Meat” by Robert Grillo

“A Fox Guarding the Henhouse: Can Animal Agriculture Reform Itself?” by Matthew Chalmers

“The Ethical Vegetarian Myth“ by Sailesh Rao & Lisa Barca, Ph.D.

“Corrupting the Language of Animal Welfare” by Devatha P. Nair, Ph. D.

“Kindred Spirits of Commodified Objects?: Disconnection and Perception in the Humane Hoax“ by Dr. Joanne Kong

“‘Humane Eggs’ and ‘Happy Wings’: A Look Behind the Labels“ by Karen Davis, Ph.D.

“Humane Myths and Media: The Reproduction of Speciesism in Mainstream U.S. News“ by Lisa Barca, Ph.D.

“Modern Foodie Culture: A Celebration of Violence“ by Robert C. Jones, Ph.D.

“Honor Killing: Spirituality Bypass and False Faith in Do-It-Yourself Slaughter“ by Cogen Bohanec, Ph.D.

“Using the Deeper Dimensions of Jain Ahiṃsā to Shed Light on Dairy’s Humane Hoax“ by Christopher Jain Miller, Ph.D.

“Amidst the marketing claims of ‘happy’ and ‘humane,’ this anthology provides the truth that sets free consumers who want to live ethically and eat honestly. Concurrently, it seeks to set free those animals trapped in the agricultural system, of which ‘small,’ ‘family’ and ‘organic’ farms are all a part”—Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan and host of The Victoria Moran Podcast


“We live in an era of a catastrophic and rapid ecological genocide, and concurrently increasing human poverty and exploitation. We live in an era of massive exploitation and suffering of animals on a scale beyond imagining. These calamities are intertwined. Biophysically, we cannot resolve the ecological crisis or achieve global food security without transitioning towards plant foods. Mentally, we cannot relinquish our tendency to rationalize our exploitation of humans, animals or the environment without a universal and encompassing empathy. Never before has the confluence of science, rationality, ethics and compassion been more important. As such I hope this anthology reaches far and wide.” —Dr. Tushar Mehta, creator of PlantBasedData.org


“The Humane Hoax shines an important and necessary bright light on the many myths and marketing lies surrounding animal agriculture. Violence, exploitation, commodification, and killing sentient beings to satisfy our desires can never be made ethical by adding the word ‘humane’ to it. Humane animal farming is, and always will be, an oxymoron.”—Charles Horn, Ph.D., author of Meat Logic: Why Do We Eat Animals?


“Animal advocacy is working—more dairy, egg, and meat producers tout ‘humanely raised’ or ‘carbon-friendly’ than ever before. Yet The Humane Hoax reveals that these glitzy, hollow labels hide the real and significant harms that animal agriculture continues to wreak. This anthology is a necessary, complete rejoinder to the recent locavore, femivore, and meat apologist movements. The Humane Hoax’s highly-educated authors show us in entertaining, diverse ways—supported with thorough research and approachable explanation—that a path to a better world cannot include animal agriculture.”—Karthik Sekar, author of After Meat

“Hope Bohanec, and her brilliant team of essayists, expose the meat industry’s cynical greenwashing and mislabeling for what it is: Orwellian double-speak. Read this book, learn the truth, and take the power back with your food choices.”—Jane Velez-Mitchell, TV Journalist, NYTimes bestselling author, UnchainedTV founder


“This book expresses a fiercely compassionate worldview. It refuses to shy away from suffering—and inspires us to do something. Often, food labels and ads mislead consumers and don’t tell the whole truth. The Humane Hoax will open your mind.”—Alene Anello, Legal Impact for Chickens


“This collection of thought-provoking essays from a wide variety of voices exposes a truth that the animal agriculture industry works hard to conceal. The Humane Hoax is a wake-up call to every consumer who believes that labels such as ‘cage-free,’ ‘pasture-raised,’ or ‘responsibly sourced’ are anything but a marketing ploy.”—Mark Hawthorne, author of Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering


“Consumers want to believe that the animals they eat are well-treated. However, humane labels and regulation bring comfort only to consumers, while the animals remain just as—if not more—exploited. This anthology helps shine a much-needed light on what ‘humane’ concepts actually mean for the beings they are designed to protect. In order to make informed decisions, to look ourselves in the mirror and ask if we are truly living the values we purport to have, we must know the truth. Consumers deserve to know the reality behind the labels. They deserve to know what they are paying others to do to animals in their name. I urge you to read this book and ask yourself: if you personally had to do to animals what humane labels allow, would you?”—Emily Moran Barwick, Activist, Educator, Speaker, and Writer at BiteSizeVegan.org

“As you step into the world of The Humane Hoax, you will be instantly transported into the reality of the cruel and harsh world that innocent farm animals endure second by second until they are violently killed for their meat, dairy and eggs. The so called ‘humane meat’ racket is visually exposed word by word, sentence by sentence in this collection of powerful essays. This book’s immersion into the truth behind the lies and deception of humane labeling will leave you ready to ditch any notion that animals are treated any better on so called ‘humane meat farms.’
The editor of The Humane Hoax, Hope Bohanec, has a depth of compassion for the sentience of all life combined with lifelong knowledge and experience of the issue. The fact that she’s seen and documented first-hand these horrors make her an excellent eye-witness. A staunch advocate for revealing the unbridled truth behind the fabricated labels and lies, I highly recommend her work.”—Renee King-Sonnen, Founder & Executive Director, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary & The Rancher Advocacy Program


“What would the world look like if we were all willing to live a life of empathy based on the truth? Witnessing the truth through this book is so powerful. I want to get a copy into the hands of every human on earth. A perfect eye-opening, heart-opening look at the reality of the myths behind humanewashing labels. A true wake-up call.”—Rae Sikora, Co-founder Institute for Humane Education, Vegfund and Plant Peace Daily


“The Humane Hoax makes clear the depravity of the myth of ‘humanely raised’ animal foods. The claim to being in any way ‘humane’ is simply false; the claim to being more healthful is a lie; the cost to the environment is often even worse than from conventional animal farming; and there is the added insult of duplicity.”—Glen Merzer, author, Food Is Climate and Own Your Health

“Lies poison everything. Humane hype not only injures animals by hiding the harms they suffer but also hurts people by tricking them into betraying their own ethical commitments. Coming at the problem from every angle, the diverse contributors to this essential volume not only expose the lies but also explain why they have been so persuasive. Read this book to make sure you haven’t been hoodwinked and to learn what you need to know to refute the fictions that coax so many people who care about animals into literally buying into cruelty.”—pattrice jones, author of Oxen at the Intersection and founder of VINE Sanctuary

The Veganic Grower’s Handbook

The Veganic Grower’s Handbook seeks to give the new, amateur, and professional gardening enthusiast all the tools and techniques to be successful in vegan-organic methods. Mirroring the gardening year, this manual delineates garden planning to seed-starting in the early season, to garden preparation and transplanting when the weather warms. Composting and maintenance of seedlings in the heat of summer are discussed, harvesting and post-harvest handling with the cool mornings prevail. Ideas are brought forth in long-term storage and closing down the gardens when the nights delve deep. In addition, The Veganic Grower’s Handbook includes six comprehensive annexes on crop profiles for over seventy different species of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as plant spacing and yield charts, tools and other resources are included. This comprehensive guide is specifically geared to small-scale gardeners and farmers in North America from urban to rural environments that wish to cultivate mindfully and compassionately.

“Back in 2014, when Jimmy helped promote Cowspiracy’s eastern Canadian tour, I learned of the veganic farm project, La Ferme de l’Aube. It was my hope that an eventual book would transpire. By the grace of their (Mélanie and Jimmy’s) efforts, they are spreading the message of veganic growing, and shining the light on the suffering of the old ways of farming and transforming the evolution of small-scale compassionate farming. The Veganic Grower’s Handbook is a step-by-step guidebook to a multitude of tools anyone can use to shift to a completely 100% plant-based system.”—Kip Andersen, co-director of Cowspiracy and What the Health and founder of AUM Films


“Mindful gardening can save the world and the way we garden affects the healthfulness of our food. Jimmy Videle knows this! His book is a guide to feed ourselves in a gentle way that allows other organisms to simply live. It also helps us to be better humans, delve more deeply, and ask questions about even ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ gardening inputs and practices. He helps us understand that when looked at closely, many of the inputs and practices we take for granted actually have a huge impact on our planet. Jimmy shows us that we can eat well, connect with the natural world, and be kind to all living things. What a relief!”—Helen Atthowe, Woodleaf Farm, and author of Farming as If Ecological Relationships Mattered


“Although a great deal of the ink spilled on these pages deals with practices which are ‘merely organic,’ Jimmy Videle also makes convincing arguments for ‘veganic,’ the radical sub-cult of organic to which I belong and which gives the book its’ title. I was particularly interested in following his personal journey of discovery which led him through several tropical and arid environments, eventually landing in Quebec, and en route, documenting his own evolving perspective regarding livestock-based fertility. An especially inspiring (for me) and radical feature of his writing is the veganic approach to pest management. While I embrace the ‘harmless’ ethic, I have not practiced it to the extent he advocates (e.g. exclusionary row covers, etc.), partly due to laziness and lack of labor. Jimmy Videle is not against the idea of species being killed, he simply prefers the natural predators to eat them—after all, for them they are food, all we want is the crop plants and for all beings to thrive. Quite reasonable. I must re-think some things.”—Will Bonsall, Khadighar Farm and author of Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening

“Is a world without animal exploitation possible? The Veganic Grower’s Handbook shows us that it is. From the first-time urban gardener to the seasoned farmer, this book provides the tools and advice needed to become truly self-sufficient in food . . . Jimmy Videle shows that veganic agriculture is not only possible; it is desirable for the good of the planet and its inhabitants.”—Elise Desaulniers, author and executive director of the Montreal SPCA

“Producing, raising, exploiting, and killing sentient animals for our purposes almost always violates their most fundamental interests. Adopting a vegan lifestyle is therefore morally desirable. Except, of course, that ‘owe implies can.’ Veganism is a requirement of justice only if it is possible to feed ourselves through veganic agriculture. The thorough and very precise work that Jimmy Videle presents in this book is thus of crucial importance. By showing us how to produce healthy food in sufficient quantity and diversity, even in difficult climates such as those of Canada and the United States, he gives us nothing less than the key to avoid causing untold harm to countless animals.”—Valéry Giroux, LLM and PhD of Philosophy, co-publisher of Le Véganisme and L’Antispécisme

“I wish this book had been available back when I was studying organic farming! With his rich knowledge and experience acquired over 20 years of farming, Jimmy Videle shares everything you need to know about the importance of growing food without animal inputs and how to do it. The Veganic Grower’s Handbook covers all aspects of growing produce and gives a head start for anyone interested in growing their own food or starting a commercial farm. For us at the Veganic Agriculture Network, this book is particularly valuable, since it’s a new reference for gardeners and farmers in cold Northern climates. And proof that veganic growing is not only possible in our region, but more ethical, economical and ecological than other farming approaches. We’re grateful to Jimmy for writing this useful and comprehensive resource. His long-time commitment to animals and the planet will have far-reaching benefits for everyone.”—Stéphane Groleau, Veganic Agriculture Network


“Jimmy Videle is a visionary—and one who has the practical knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to bring a beautiful vision to fruition!”—Shelley Harrison, Convener, Humane Party


“The Veganic Grower’s Handbook is a shining example of how we can grow our food while reestablishing biodiversity, treading lightly on the planet, and extending an ethos of kindness to all species. Beyond being a powerful how-to guide for new and experienced growers, it’s a reminder that we’re active participants in the wider ecosystem upon which we all depend.”—Meghan Kelly, Learn Veganic


“The Veganic Grower’s Handbook is an incredibly comprehensive companion to any aspiring or veteran grower alike. The breadth of information covered in the book is astounding and will be a resource returned to often during the years of planting and growing.”—Keegan Kuhn, co-director of Cowspiracy and What the Health, and former veganic farmer


“The ecological and social crises we are facing today can only be addressed from the ground up: by transforming our food systems, what we grow and how we treat the soil. An ever-larger number of people are becoming aware of this and are working towards a transition to small-scale, ecological farming, but very few include animals in their circle of compassion. In fact, as food system change and soil regeneration became hip topics, the myth that ecological farming required animal exploitation served as a buffer against the changes that the animal liberation movement has been pushing for. In maintaining this fundamental status quo in agriculture–the exploitation of other animals–the food and small farming movements have reproduced some of the problems they have purported to solve. The value of this book goes beyond its practical teachings–it is a testament that we can move on from animal exploitation, that veganic methods can yield healthy and abundant food while allowing us to liberate land for rewilding, and that ultimately this world can be one of abundance. Jimmy Videle has written not only a clear and accessible guide for veganic growing, but for a revolution.”—Nassim Nobari, co-founder of Seed the Commons and Veganic World


“As we confront the thorny issue of climate change, we are obligated to look for means of reducing the impact humans have on the environment, especially through conventional, animal-based agriculture. Veganic cultivation emerges as the most planet-friendly solution to growing our food. Drawing upon his rich experiences of both conventional and organic cultivation in several climates, followed by years of veganic cultivation, Jimmy Videle writes persuasively and engagingly about the crucial importance of a whole-system approach that respects the natural world in all its diversity. His book offers a thorough practical guide to anyone wishing to embrace not only a wise but a compassionate lifestyle.”—Catherine Perry, PhD, University of Notre Dame

“The Veganic Grower’s Handbook is an essential resource for independent cruelty-free gardening. Drawing on a quarter century of farming expertise, Jimmy Videle explains how to cultivate healthy ecosystems of edible plants and also clearly details the natural science that makes these methods work. A good choice for those looking to enrich their relationship to plants and the web of life that supports them.”—Margaret Robinson, PhD; Coordinator, Indigenous Studies Program


“After years of encouraging meat and animal derivatives on our plates, we realize the impact on our health and that of the environment. Quietly, a balance is returning where plants are more and more at the heart of what we put in our bodies. The same phenomenon occurs in agriculture, where it is realized that feeding the soil with manure and products of animals is not a healthy source of energy either. The soil also needs veganism to regain shape, health and nutrition for the generations that follow. Growing our own vegetables, in a soil nourished solely by plant organic matter is a time-honored principle and respects current and future life in all forms. Jimmy Videle’s The Veganic Grower’s Handbook cultivates these very ideas. In the name of all living beings, thank you!”—Mariève Savaria, author of La Saison des Lègumes


“This is an exciting new contribution to the practitioner’s literature on veganic production. An experienced grower with conventional, organic, and veganic expertise, Jimmy Videle has responded to the need for accessible, detailed guidance on plant-based cultivation. The handbook is conversational in tone and draws on personal farming experiences and philosophies as well as the research literature to discuss myriad aspects of small-scale, sustainable production. Gardeners and small-scale market farmers will gain not only technical knowledge but also a strong sense of the ways in which veganic growing is based in respect for more-than-human life.”—Mona Seymour, PhD., Loyola Marymount University


“With CO2 emissions escalating, conventional and animal agriculture practices continue to be the dominant drivers. We are fast in need of solid solutions. The Veganic Grower’s Handbook paints a sustainable picture of eliminating exploitation, yet increasing productivity. The potential of small-scale gardening and farming revolutionizes the very way we feed ourselves and nourishes all floral and faunal life in the process. This is an exceptional resource at a critical moment in our history.”—Dave Simon, author of Meatonomic$


“The way that modern day agriculture functions resemble an apocalyptic science-fiction novel. Billions of land animals exploited, lands desertified and waters turned toxic from chemicals and manures. It is past time for a renewal. Jimmy Videle’s, The Veganic Grower’s Handbook is the breath of life that provides the tools, techniques, insight and vision for human change through small-scale fruit, vegetable and herb growing, that the entirety of Earth’s floral and faunal collective deserves.”—Casey Taft, PhD, Boston University School of Medicine, vegan author and publisher


“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jimmy Videle’s The Veganic Grower’s Handbook: Cultivating Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs From Urban Backyard to Rural Farmyard. It provides an elegant solution to the enormous impact of industrial animal and plant agriculture on the environment. Instead of waging war on microbes, insects and animals who are seen as the enemy of agriculture, he shows that farming can be done coexisting peacefully with the many species who keep our planet alive and vibrant. He has taken organic agriculture critical step further and removed all animal products, resulting in the veganic approach. Veganic agriculture eliminates the cruel exploitation of farmed animals. Healthy food, healthy humans and a healthy planet. Thank you, Jimmy, for sharing your journey that makes the world a more compassionate place.”—Liz White, leader, Animal Protection Party of Canada

The Secret Life of Pigs

Foreword by Ingrid Newkirk
Afterword by pattrice jones
Final Words by Moby

From factory farms to sanctuaries, pigs live rich and complex lives often hidden from us. In this two-part book, Marine veteran Richard Hoyle and renowned activist Anita Krajnc give us an in-depth look into their experience caring for pigs and their activism. From his sanctuary in Tennessee, Hoyle describes the many challenges and lessons that come with caring for pigs for thirty-six years. Rich takes the reader on a journey about the unique way these pigs changed his life with transformative love and care. Each pig’s personality shines through the page. The second part of this book presents the reality of a pig’s life under the control of humans. Anita Krajnc describes her own experiences with pigs and the dark and violent world of factory farming. Arrested in 2015 for offering water to pigs inside of a commercial trailer, Krajnc speaks out against the treatment of these caring and intelligent creatures. She then describes the global expansion of Animal Save Movement, which she co-founded, the killing of beloved activist Regan Russell, the Plant Based Treaty initiative, and how going vegan for the animals, the climate, and one’s health are intertwined and crucial for our survival.

“This is not a book that talks only about the life of pigs in a sanctuary, it is a book that immerses us in a world where the ordinary becomes magical. A book of interspecies relationships, of funny anecdotes and some sad ones too, of transformations, of reencounter, of empathy, of courage, of overcoming obstacles, of rethinking everything we have learned, that which is so hard for us to banish from our kingdoms. A fundamental book to begin to build another humanity, a fairer one for all beings that inhabit this planet.”—Malena Blanco, writer, animal rights activist and co-founder of Voicot


“This eye-opening book gives readers an in-depth look at the tireless work of those who dedicate their lives to our kindred animals. Richard Hoyle and Anita Krajnc send a clear and passionate message that every act of caring, whether through creating sanctuary, bearing witness, or participating in positive activism, raises the possibility for humans to truly envision a more peaceful world. Anita’s retelling of her trial and the tragic killing of Regan Russell remind us that activists who bring the plight of animals to our attention often do so at great sacrifice and peril. This is an inspiring and impactful book.”—Dr. Joanne Kong, editor of Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers


“This book is a powerful testament to the majestic nature of animal sentience. Our relationship with these creatures is a reflection of who we are as people. These stories elicit emotion, compassion and give us the inspiration to be better people. The vegan message is a powerful tonic for our troubled times and our collective efforts for animal liberation is a vital key to the future of humanity and all life on earth.”—Robbie Lockie, co-founder and director of Plant Based News


“What a brilliant book! Two amazing storytellers, each in their own style, showing how animals bring out the best of us—and how we can become better advocates for them. You will laugh, cry, think, and not let go until you reach the last page!”—Dr. Camila Perussello, author of Food for Thought: Planetary Healing Begins on Our Plate


“This is a riveting account of humans seeing pigs for who they really are: highly intelligent, social, emotional beings with the capacity to love, fear, and even forgive humans. It’s also the fascinating tale of Anita Krajnc, who said ‘enough’ to society’s systematic torture of pigs and got arrested and prosecuted for it, sparking a global movement.”—Jane Velez-Mitchell, founder of UnchainedTV

Cluck

The second in a trilogy of beautifully illustrated children’s books, this story about the compelling journey of a young chicken named Cluck, told by a sage parrot.

Cluck is a very fortunate bird that was born in the safety and security of a sanctuary. But he is surrounded by birds who have seen hardship at the hands of humans, including the book’s narrator, an old wise parrot. Cluck is about to learn about other chicks who are not protected firsthand, as a factory farm and a chicken dinner drive-thru are built down the road. Children and adults of all ages will be moved and captivated by Cluck’s journey.

“Oh, how I wish the animals that we confine and torture for food were able to speak out and fight for freedom, as Cluck, the courageous chick, does in this story. Unfortunately, animals are imprisoned in a human world and therefore it is up to humans to right this wrong. Beautifully illustrated by Irene Blasco and compassionately written by Cheryl Moss, Cluck is a book for young people to learn the truth about chicken, how the bird goes from the industrial farm to our plates. However, the happy ending in this story is up to each of us, as the reader is offered the opportunity to take action and make positive change.”—Caryn Hartglass, Co-Founder and President, Responsible Eating And Living

“Cluck is an urgent call for compassion. Nonhuman animals are still widely regarded as inanimate objects—whether that be as food or as pets. Cheryl Moss and Irene Blasco bring the reader in to tackle this notion through a personable flock of rescued birds. Francisco, a parrot, introduces the story’s unlikely main duo: a chick, Cluck, and a human child who runs their bird sanctuary, Ryndon. Francisco narrates Cluck and Ryndon’s journey to save chickens being raised for slaughter. Through colorful imagery and diverse landscapes, Moss and Blasco weave a story of love and liberation into the pages. Together, Cluck and Ryndon are determined to free chickens and show their community how empowering it can be to choose compassion over killing. The reader is left with a powerful tale and an inspiring call to action. This story is valuable for anyone and everyone who co-exists with nonhuman animals. Animals, birds especially, are so often cast aside and deemed as disposable or lesser-than. Moss and Blasco show us that we share this planet with them, and they deserve our respect, care, and compassion—whether they have feathers, fins, or scales.”—Cami Hoffman, Youth Director at The Raven Corps

“Cheryl Moss and Irene Blasco have created another beautiful book that will open the hearts and minds of young readers. The story of Cluck and his sanctuary friends ingeniously and effectively weaves in the messages that all animals are individuals who feel and suffer, and that positive actions and activism can make change possible. Irene Blasco’s illustrations are vivid and stunning, conveying the emotions and personalities of the birds. This book is a must-read for children and adults alike, raising awareness of the plight of chickens, one of the most exploited animals on our planet.”—Dr. Joanne Kong, editor of Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

“Wow such a beautiful and relatable story. I loved the main characters, the birds and boy at the sanctuary, sited next to a chicken slaughterhouse. ‘Cluck was a reminder of just how good life can be when one is born in love and in safety.’ The trial and rescue and question at the end leaving it to the reader what to do to protect all the chickens everywhere. This series is so brilliant. Hope there are more in the works.”—Anita Krajnc, Executive Director, Animal Save Movement

“Cluck is a graceful yet powerful story to teach children (and adults!) what it means to respect other sentient creatures. The beautiful illustrations by Irene Blasco are nothing but magical and truly capture the profound lesson of love in Cheryl Moss’s words.”—Dr. Camila Perussello, author of Food for Thought: Planetary Healing Begins on Our Plate

Animals in Islam

An authorized and authoritative republication of B.A Masri’s seminal book and reflections on his work by important scholars and experts.

The uniqueness of this book, Animals in Islam, is that it is possibly the only truly authoritative work on Islamic Concern for Animals. The author, Al-Hafiz B.A. Masri, was the first Sunni Imam of the Shah Jehan mosque, and is widely respected for the depth of his scholarship in this field. The observations he makes are supported by a wealth of quotes from the Qur’an and Hadith. Animals in Islam is a republication of this iconic text for the world to enjoy, edited by his grandson, Nadeem Haque.

True to Islamic tradition, Al-Hafiz Masri welcomes readers—particularly theologians and scholars—to write to him, giving their opinions on what must be one of the most relevant and thought-provoking pieces of literature on animals within Islam to be released for several centuries. The esteemed contributors are Joyce D’Silva, D.Litt, Richard Foltz, Michael W. Fox, Princess Alia, Sarra Tlili, Lisa Kemmerer, and a biography on Masri by Nadeem Haque.

“Animals in Islam shows that in Islam, as in other religious traditions, there is ample material to justify a compassionate view of animals, and in particular, one that is incompatible with treating billions of sentient beings as if they were merely things, to be crowded into factory farms that take no account of their nature and their needs but see them only objects for human consumption.”—Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, author of Animal Liberation

“I had the good fortune to have known the late Al Hafiz Masri in the mid-1980s when he was working on the first edition of this book. I gained much from this relationship in the environmental themes that I was myself developing at that time and his erudition and wisdom is not lost on his grandson, Nadeem Haque, who as editor has produced the second version of this volume. Compassion in World Farming has also much to commend itself for pushing out this volume and is largely responsible for the shape of the final chapter with its emphasis on stunning. Although this volume is meant for a western readership the material is relevant to the Islamic world generally and should be compulsory reading for all those interested in humane slaughter. It also forces people to rethink their dietary habits given the negative impact of high meat consumption on the environment.”—Fazlun Khalid, Founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, author of Signs on the Earth: Islam, Modernity, and the Climate Crisis (Kube Publishing Ltd., 2019)

“A most important book! One of the earliest and very few to offer a comprehensive Islamic perspective on contemporary animal welfare issues. It brings to life and conveys the urgency of a key Qur’anic insight: that our lives and the lives of other animals are inextricably intertwined; that kindness to animals is not a quirk or secondary concern, but an essential part of human virtue.

“By all accounts, Masri was an illustrious scholar and the kind of person one meets once and never forgets. May both Muslims and non-Muslims meet Masri through this book and find inspiration in his kindness.”—Rainer Ebert, PhD; Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, UK, and International Research Associate at the University of Dar es Salaam, in former Tanganyika, one of the many places Masri called home.

“This new edition of Al-Hafiz B.A. Masri’s seminal work is great news for research in Islamic animal theology, especially since it is accompanied by contributions from major authors on these questions. It is an outstanding tribute that the editor Nadeem Haque pays here to the pioneering work of his grandfather.”—Sébastien Sarméjeanne, translator of the French edition of Animals in Islam (Les Animaux en Islam)

“As concerns grow for the sustainability of life on our planet, animal welfare has become an issue of increasing relevance and importance. This pioneering book provides an overview of animal welfare through the lens of Islam and encourages the reader to rethink how values of compassion can be implemented.”—Sabrina Sehbai, Founder and Director of Join Hands

“In the divine revelation of Islam, we see multiple references to animals in different contexts. Clearly the Qur’an alludes to a high level of sophistication (or even development) that some (or many) animals or even insects may have. Masri, in his seminal contribution, sheds light on animals in Islam that extends the debate beyond the question of animals as a source of humans’ pleasure or utility. In light of the modern Western culture of extreme excess in everything, and in light of the dominant Muslims’ culture that mainly focuses on which animal products are permissible to eat, and in light of the advances in psychology, sociology, and the physical sciences, Masri’s book will ignite a broader debate that is highly timely.”—Omar M. Ramahi, Author of Muslims’ Greatest Challenge: Choosing Between Tradition and Islam

THE FEED

A Cookbook for the anti-oppression activist.

What does food mean to you? It is a fuel to the body and a bond we share with others. In THE FEED: Food as Resistance, food is revealed as a source of empowerment. Through diverse stories and plant-based meals, the activists of youth-led movement The Raven Corps depict how food can be used as resistance to the various oppressions faced by our fellow human and nonhuman beings and the world we inhabit. The Raven Corps eleven inspiring activists share their unique perspectives on food as resistance, from reclaiming your immigrant identity to combatting fatphobia to resolving the climate crisis. The numerous engaging images and detailed recipes in this book will inspire readers to view and use food as an expression of compassion, culture, tradition, bliss, and love.

Hope the Hopeful Piglet

Hope is a baby piglet, and she was born in a factory farm. When she was young, her mother was taken away somewhere. One day, Hope is being taken to a new place too. She hopes she will see her mom again. While on the truck that is taking Hope and her piglet friends to the new place, Hope meets some animal friends that tell her about how nice it is at the park, and the beach, and the forest. But when Hope arrives at the new place, it isn’t nice like those places. It’s dark, dirty, and scary. Then one day, Hope’s dream of seeing all the beautiful places she heard about, may just come true. Thanks to a kind and brave girl. See how Hope’s story turns out, and how through her we can show our children kindness and compassion for all animals.

“This short and beautiful story is the kind of stories I believe parents should be sharing with their babies, the next generation, who has a power to change how we view life and our perception of other animals. Hope’s story is one that many animals have experienced, but unfortunately, many more have experienced the story of her mother. It is the both the responsibility and the privilege of parents to raise kids who will try their best to take important moral stances and live ethical lives. In a world where many ignore the importance of concepts such as love and respect, let Hope’s story raise children who will embrace these concepts.”—Seb Alex, animal rights activist, lecturer, photojournalist, and author

“All libraries need to make space on their shelves for Hope the Hopeful Piglet and her story. Told through the eyes of this adorable little pig, children will be gently educated and entertained by her moving story. I truly wish this book existed back when I was a kid.”—Sorsha Morava, animal rights activist and content creator


“The book I wish I read as a child! A wonderful introduction into animal rights… A thoughtful, heartfelt, realistic, and compassionate look at the animals that children love.”—Atomic Vegans, animal rights activists and artists


“A little story of Hope, her life was almost lost.
People wanted to hurt her; they didn’t know the cost.
She’s such a smart, loving girl who, like us, can think and feel.
How ever could we hurt her, she’s more than just a meal.”
—Emma Graf, animal rights activist and mother

“The hardest part about raising vegan children isn’t what to feed them; It’s protecting their natural sense of compassion in a world full of indifference.” —Sara Marti, animal rights activist and mother


“For too many it’s easy to turn a blind eye to the voiceless victims of animal agriculture. This uplifting tale lends a voice to one such victim and pulls at our heartstrings as we experience the realities of our cruel food system from a baby animal’s point of view. As a mother, I couldn’t help but empathize with the main character as if she were my own little one. It’s essential to educate kids about everyday injustices like this and empower them to make compassionate choices for animals, people, and the planet.”—Ashley Renne Nsonwu, activist, speaker, educator


“This book beautifully illustrates how all animals are the same—they all want love happiness companionship and freedom. Unfortunately, today’s society teaches our children that some animals are to be protected and loved, and some are to be imprisoned and hurt. It’s so important to re-educate our future generations that all animals are equal and deserve to live their lives in peace. That’s why as activists we need to spread the word of veganism, for the good of the animals, our planet, and also our own health.”—Sarah Jane Abdennadher, animal rights activist

If But My Gaze Could Heal

Foreword by Rev Billy Talen

An engaging, moving, and poignant book of poetry from a well-known leader, educator, and writer with notable endorsements from Reverend Billy Talen (Church of Stop Shopping), Carolyn Martin (poetry editor at Kosmos Journal), and Alice Reys (Singer Dancer) among others.

Colin Greer knows a lot about a lot. His rich life as an educator and author/playwright, immersed in the social and political justice trenches, is reflected in his latest poetry. The 150 poems in If But My Gaze Could Heal are thoughtfully broken into five thematic chapters: With or Without Which, Mischief and Melancholy, Stick out your Tongue, Phew!, and What is Hidden and Hidden From. In this collection, he muses on the human condition through verse, taking the reader through the ordinary, the personal, the sublime and tragic.

 “Colin Greer is in conversation with some of the greats and he is holding his own.”—Dr. Cornel West, professor, philosopher, author, activist

“When Wallace Stevens proclaimed, ‘In poetry, you must love the words, the ideas and the images and rhythms with all your capacity to love anything at all,’ he could have been describing Colin Greer’s astonishing collection If But My Gaze Could Heal. In poem after poem, Greer gob smacks us with an imagination in overdrive that leaves us reeling with characters, philosophies, perspectives, and metaphors that dance dervishly across lines that won’t stand still. Yet, he occasionally gives us a breather to ponder aphoristic wisdom like ‘I’ve read grace fills empty spaces./So there’s hope even if stars burn out,’ and it ‘Takes time to look, to see, to turn up the heat.’ This rich and intriguing collection requires taking time, time to gaze with the poet as ‘The Earth quakes/Ready to take one for the team/If we can learn/to listen.’ A hallmark of Greer’s art, this book ignites the heat of surprise, awe, and, if we listen closely enough, the grace in empty spaces.”—Carolyn Martin, Ph.D., Poet and Poetry Editor of Kosmos Quarterly: Journal for Global Transformation

“There is a longing in this poet-activist, who sees more than we can bear, but mirth and joy are part of the seeing and it draws us there.”—Matt Weiner, Associate Dean, Office of Religious Life at Princeton University

“Being the body and voice for ‘Treaty Between Self and Earth’ poems was without a doubt one of the deepest and most exciting challenges of my acting career. My soul was touched by every single word, giving me the opportunity to make an even deeper connection with the piece and give layers and colors to the character. Such strong and delicate matter, translated in the most beautiful and poetic way possible is a true gift for me as an actor and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to experience and embody something so incredibly special.”—Alice Reis, actor, singer, dancer

“Gripping, suspenseful and funny in a way that few poets are—Greer has managed to create something quite rare and extraordinary: a page turner. His writing about politics reminds one of what is important in everyday life, and his writing about everyday life could motivate you to enter politics. His poetry is almost deceptively easy to read. The author has a rhythm and ease that invites us to sit down, as if for a casual conversation with a friend—only to then find yourself enjoying a deeper discourse on the meatiest and toughest subjects in American public life—power, class, race, politics. And just when we get comfortable talking, he moves us to stand up and act.”—Svante Myrick, Executive Director of People For the American Way

“I love this collection of poems—it is a book I will keep by my side always. When I read Colin Greer’s poetry, I hear music. And then I close my eyes and see images, vivid images, that linger and dance above consciousness. I travel from the future to the ancient past with astonishing stops along the way that dare me to open my eyes to think about the world in ways I never thought possible.”—N. Scott Johnson, architect, artist, musician, composer

“Reading Colin’s poetry is much like standing in between two mirrors in an attic: I face the multitudes of humanity—from beauty to brutality—in a mise an abyme of ghost stories. This particular collection gifts us a sliver of hope for breaking the curse. A sobering, hands-in-the-dirt kind of hope – the only kind I trust these days. Nothing left to think about, they tell me, time to dive in.”—Esther Meroño Baro, community organizer and multimedia artist

“These evocative poems examine the human condition in all of its wonder and all of its failings. At turns erudite and terrestrial, Greer’s voice implores the reader to look closer, to draw connections, to fly from branch to branch, and we do.”—Emma Straub, author of This Time Tomorrow

Recovery Writing

James Ryan is an addict in recovery. He is now over twenty years sane and sober, married and a father of two, and a PhD graduate who researches the power of writing to heal. In Recovery Writing, Ryan tells his own story and the stories of the addicts he interviewed in the course of his research. These narratives, informed by existing research on writing’s physical and psychological effects, lead to a social understanding of healing. While writing does enable us to emote and confess, this is not the limit of its power. Writing heals our relationships as much as our bodies and minds. It attunes us to our social reality and improves our way of being with others. The notion of a higher power and the divine are also explored. Included in this book are step-by-step instructions for writing exercises that offer a first-hand experience of social healing. These exercises, drawn from the backs of coffee-stained diner place mats and the hard-earned experience of addicts struggling to remake their lives, introduce those willing to undertake this journey to the powerful, life-changing world of recovery writing.

“Deftly weaving together his own recovery journey, the stories of other addicts, and ways of ‘writing through recovery,’ James Ryan, in Recovery Writing: Discovery and Healing in the Twelve Steps provides a useful and breathtakingly poignant set of observations on how the act of writing is integral to healthy recovery. Part memoir, part how-to book, Ryan’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the power of writing in overcoming the cunning, baffling, and powerful pull of addiction.”—Michael Bernard-Donals, Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of Forgetful Memory: Representation and Remembrance After Auschwitz and other titles.

“If writing connects us with energies and powers beyond ourselves, how does writing contribute to the mysterious process of healing from addiction? Drawing from extensive research, the stories of other addicts, and deep reflection on his own experience, Ryan explores the power of writing to help people in the Twelve Step program move from selfishness to compassion, from isolation to relationship, and from resentment to serenity. Because of its honesty, thoughtful analysis, and imaginative sweep, his book is often thrilling to read and makes a real contribution to the literature of addiction and recovery.”—Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, author, Holy Hunger: A Woman’s Journey from Food Addiction to Spiritual Fulfillment; co-editor, Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis

“A brilliantly humane, authentic contribution to the writing and wellbeing movement that will resonate with readers struggling with addiction, working with those who have addiction, or anyone seeking a practical, self-determined way to reach their full potential in life.”—Dr. Stacey Cochran, the University of Arizona

“Over the last few years, I’ve read every book on recovery I could get my hands on. None has been more enlightening than James Ryan’s Recovery Writing. Ryan succeeds in communicating the essence of recovery through the voices of people who use language to transmute the gift of desperation into a new way of life. The book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the promises of recovery, and how to claim them for one’s own.”—Stephen R. Haynes, Author of Why Can’t Church Be More Like an AA Meeting?: And Other Questions Christians Ask about Recovery

“Finally, a book that brings fresh insight to one of the most well-traveled paths of recovery. James Ryan shows that for many people, written self-examination is not the onerous chore it is often imagined to be, but is actually one of the most powerful (and mystical) aspects of Twelve Step spirituality. This is less a book about recovery than it is a deep dive into the little explored practice of spiritual writing.”—Piers Kaniuka, MA, MTS author of Real People, Real Recovery and curator of the Resistance Recovery podcast and FB group

“For those who are hungry for relief from their suffering, this book is a feast that satisfies on every level. Interwoven within these pages are stories of hope that highlight the value of connection and revel in the mystery of faith while offering practical and specific suggestions for writing our way into recovery. For desperate people looking for a pathway through their pain—this book is a must read.”—Teresa J. McBean, former Director of the National Association of Christian Recovery and co-pastor at Northstar Community

“Dr. James Ryan combines personal experience and his doctoral research in writing studies to examine what many popular self-help books take for granted: writing’s potential to heal. Ryan shares the stories of people in recovery with respect, love, and humility. In doing so, he teaches readers about the power of expression to help us see ourselves more clearly and grow in community with others. I read it with my journal and pencil by my side.”—Kate Vieira, author of American by Paper and Writing for Love and Money

“Recovery Writing shines new light on the key role writing plays in addiction recovery. From the serious research of science to Bill Wilson’s seances and Ouija boards, Ryan blends his own writing experiences with motivating stories from an array of addicts who dared pick up pencil or pen and found a doorway to their souls. His book may give more addicts the courage to do the same.”—Fr. Bill W., Episcopal priest, and researcher on Two Way Prayer