Books Archive – Page 11 of 18

The Oxen at the Intersection

When Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, announced that two oxen called Bill and Lou would be killed and turned into hamburgers despite their years of service as unofficial college and town mascots, pattrice jones and her colleagues at nearby VINE Sanctuary offered an alternative scenario: to allow the elderly bovines to retire to the sanctuary. What transpired after this simple offer was a catastrophe of miscommunication, misdirection, and misinterpretations, as the college dug in its heels, activists piled on, and social media erupted.

Part true-crime mystery, part on-the-ground reportage, and part sociocultural critique, The Oxen at the Intersection is a brilliant unearthing of the assumptions, preconceptions, and biases that led all concerned with the lives and deaths of these two animals to fail to achieve their ends. How and why the threads of this story unspooled, as jones reveals, raises profound questions—most particularly about how ideas rooted in history, race, gender, region, and speciesism intersect and complicate strategy and activism, and their desired outcomes. In the end, notes jones, we must always ask, Where’s the body?

The {bio}graphies series explores the relationships between human and nonhuman animals through scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences viewed through the lens of autobiography and memoir, to deepen and complicate our perspectives on the other beings with whom we share the planet.

“The Oxen at the Intersection is a brilliant case study of the tragedy of Bill and Lou, illuminating a perfect storm of speciesism, locavorist ideology, ableism, sexism, and psychological compulsion. Humans in the grip of an idée fixe are a terrifying force, and nonhuman animals keep paying the price. How can animal advocacy interrupt this cataclysm? We failed Lou and Bill, and pattrice jones’ superb book shows us why we failed, and how we might do better in future.”—Sue Donaldson, co-author of Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights

Running, Eating, Thinking

“There are books on food, sport, fictional characters, biographies of the famous and infamous, and writing about almost every imaginable subject. But this is the first book I’ve read that combines the philosophy of two of my favorite subjects, eating and running. What a joy to read what fifteen other vegan runners have to say about what motivates them, their values, and, very importantly, the benefits they, the animals, and our planet all get from being vegan runners! Read this book and enjoy meeting some extraordinary people!”—Ruth E. Heidrich, Ph.D., author, A Race for Life, and Ironman triathlete

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In recent years, endurance athletes, bodybuilders, and long-distance runners such as Ruth Heidrich, Scott Jurek, Rich Roll, Brendan Brazier, Robert Cheeke, and many others have destroyed the notion that you cannot be a top-flight competitor on a plant-based diet and upended the stereotype that veganism means weakness, placidity, and passivity. But are there deeper connections between veganism and running, for example, that reach beyond attaining peak performance to other aspects of being vegan: such as living lightly on the land, caring for other-than-human life, and connecting to our animal bodies?

The fifteen writers in Running, Eating, Thinking wager that there are, and they explore in manifold ways how those connections might be made. From coping with cancer to reflecting on the need of the confined animal to run free, from Buddhist ideas of nonviolence to harnessing the breath for singing and running, and from extolling the glories of lentils to committing oneself to the long run in animal activism, Running, Eating, Thinking is a pioneering anthology that may redefine your thinking about veganism and running.

Featuring: Gene Baur—Catherine Berlot—JL Fields—Matt Frazier—Christine Frietchen—Cassandra Greenwald—Gordon Harvey—Ellen Jaffe Jones—James McWilliams—Lisette Oropesa—Colleen Patrick-Goudreau—Kimatni Rawlins—Martin Rowe—Jasmin Singer—Scott Spitz—and Paul Shapiro.

Defiant Daughters

When The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory by Carol J. Adams was published three decades ago, it caused an immediate stir among writers and thinkers, feminists, and animal rights activists. Never before had the relationship between patriarchy and meat eating been drawn so clearly—the idea that there is a strong connection between the consumption of women and animals.

But, as the twenty-one personal stories in this anthology show, the impact of this provocative text on women’s lives continues to this day, and it is as diverse as it is revelatory. One writer attempts to reconcile her feminist-vegan beliefs with her Muslim upbringing; a second makes the connection between animal abuse and her own self-destructive tendencies. A new mother discusses the sexual politics of breastfeeding, while another pens a letter to her young son about all she wishes for him in the future. Many others recall how the book inspired them to start careers in the music business, animal advocacy, and food. No matter whether they first read it in college or later in life, whether they are in their late teens or early forties, these writers all credit The Sexual Politics of Meat in one way or another with the awakening of their identities as feminists, activists, and women. Even if you haven’t read the original work, you’re sure to be moved and inspired by these tales of growing up and, perhaps more important, waking up to the truths around us.

Including a foreword from Carol J. Adams herself, this collection of fresh, bold voices defies expectations and provides rousing support for the belief that women have the power to change the world around them for this generation and those to come.

Featuring writing by: Sarah E. Brown, Melinda Fox, Rochelle M. Green, Jennifer Grubbs, Ruby Hamad, Kate Jacoby, Kate Larson, Ashley Maier, Colleen Martell, Carolyn Mullin, Katy Otto, Margaret Perret, Dallas Rising, Marla Rose, Vidushi Sharma, Jasmin Singer, Darlene Smoot, Kim Socha, Sunaura Taylor, Laura Wright, and Lagusta Yearwood.

The Elephants in the Room

Part of Lantern’s {bio}graphies series, produced to explore the relationship between human and nonhuman animals through diverse lenses

Through the lens of Rowe’s relationships with two Kenyan conservationists—Wangari Maathai and Daphne Sheldrick—The Elephants in the Room surveys a number of prejudices that many of us who are fortunate to be born with the privileges attached to our skin color, sex, and access to resources don’t like to deal with: race, misogyny, and the legacy of empire. By examining the two women’s memoirs (Unbowed and Love, Life, and Elephants), both of which were launched following talks at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, these metaphorical elephants in the room are combined with a study of the exploitation of actual elephants on the continent of Africa, and the iterations of memory that are disclosed or hidden in the writing of memoirs and the collecting of bones for museums.

Like elephants themselves, The Elephants in the Room ranges far, analyzing work by Joseph Conrad, Robert Pogue Harrison, Barbara Gowdy, Willard Price, George Orwell, Adam Hochschild, and others.

“In addition to offering a vivid, first-hand account of the environmental heroism of Wangari Maathai, this book reflects deeply on humankind’s vexed relation to the natural world, putting into stark relief the alternatives that face us at this point in our species’ history: either to save or to destroy the planet’s legacy.”—Robert Pogue Harrison, author, Forests: The Shadow of Civilization

Lifelong Running

A cancer survivor, an Ironman Triathlete, and widely decorated marathoner, Ruth Heidrich has long been been a role model to athletes of all ages. But over the years even Ruth herself has encountered the various, commonly held misbeliefs about running, from “women shouldn’t run” to “you need to change your diet to run,” that prevent people from lacing up their shoes and getting off the couch.

In this user-friendly guide, Ruth Heidrich debunks those myths and many more while providing the motivation, inspiration, and resources to start or maintain an activity whose benefits will last a lifetime. Along the way, Martin Rowe offers up practical advice as well as a look into running’s storied history. You’ll find out why there’s no perfect body type for a runner, how to measure your fitness level relative to your age, and how the modern marathon came to be.

Accessible and informative, Lifelong Running shows that it’s possible to run well into your seventies—and beyond.

“If longevity and good health are what you’re after, Ruth Heidrich has the recipe for them. Her story will not only inspire you, but follow her prescription and you might just get an extra decade of good living out of it.” —Kathy Freston, New York Times bestselling author of Quantum Wellness, Veganist, and The Lean

“Ruth Heidrich is an inspiration to so many people. Her persistence, her commitment to fitness, her use of the healthiest food, and her consciousness of what could be a bright future for all of us make this book a must read.”—T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Nutrition, Cornell University, New York Times bestselling co-author of The China Study and author of Whole

“If you’ve ever wondered whether running might create more joy and vibrant health in your life, this is the book you need to read. Ruth Heidrich most definitely knows what she’s talking about. She’s a cancer thriver (not just survivor) who has, since her diagnosis, completed nearly a hundred triathlons and more than sixty-six marathons. And this marvelous book also features the voice of Martin Rowe, a fascinating writer who is a former (and still is at times) couch potato, and as such relates very well to those of us who are, for whatever reasons, reluctant to run. Whether you are new to running, or have some experience with the sport, you’ll find this extraordinary book to be reassuring, informative, and inspiring.”—John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America and co-founder of the Food Revolution Network

“I’ve been moving a lot faster—and happily so—since reading Lifelong Running. This book changed my perception. For one thing, I notice that kids really do run everywhere, and smile while they are doing so. Plus I am looking at running in a new way, as something I can do and want to try. Ruth Heidrich ably shreds the myths that keep people from running at all ages, but especially once their twenties are a memory. She shares her health challenges, exhilaration in moving and exploring, and pleasure in her simple plant-based diet. Her inspiring adventures are complemented by Martin Rowe’s account of his journey as a runner and insights into the world of this sport. This book can lead the way to health transformation through a running program at any age, fueled by the optimal plant-powered diet.”—Janice Stanger, Ph.D., author of The Perfect Formula Diet

“Ruth’s life and writing are an inspiration to millions. This book is yet another gift from her that will get your body moving in ways that will put a smile on your face for the rest of your life.”—Mike Anderson, author of The RAVE Diet & Lifestyle

The Polar Bear in the Zoo

In The Polar Bear in the Zoo, Martin Rowe studies a photograph by the Canadian photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur in the context of her series We Animals and the portraits of several other photographers of captive animals. Rowe looks at how we come to the window to stare at the creatures, and the ways we frame our ideas about them within the exposure and capture provided by the photograph and the zoo.

As part of his analysis, Rowe relates his own frames as an animal activist, his blind spots and effacements, and how the various tropes that are evoked in McArthur’s photograph reflect our human tendency to honor the act of seeing—including our beliefs in the epiphanic—above our other senses, and our willingness to confront what we see or turn away.

“The Polar Bear in the Zoo . . . is a deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between human and non-human animals. . . . Rowe’s keen eye and even keener mind help us see in these photographs much that is in plain sight, yet manages to elude our glance.” —Daniel Redwood, musician, Songs for Animals, People, and the Earth

“Rowe boldly and elegantly presents difficult questions that human society prefers to avoid, and therefore questions that should be pressed—and persistently—in the animal rights movement’s works.”—Jim Mason, author, An Unnatural Order

“Rowe reflects on the deeply troubled relationship between humans and animals. He encourages a dialogue with the reader, evoking questions that are disturbing, profound, and unable to be ignored.”—Robin Lamont, author, If Thy Right Hand

“A long, lingering lectio about right relationship between human and animals. . . . This cry of the heart reads like a wisdom scripture.”—Mary Margaret Funk, author, Thoughts Matter

“[Rowe’s] ‘walk-a-mile-in-my-shoes’ concept as a trapped zoo animal gives a memorable perspective when pondering questions about how and why we do what we humans do to other animals.”—Ellen Jaffe Jones, author, Eat Vegan on $4 a Day

Mind If I Order the Cheeseburger?

What about plants? Don’t animals eat other animals? There are no perfect vegans, so why bother? If you’re vegan, how many times have you been asked these, and other similarly challenging, questions from non-vegans?

Using humor and reason, Sherry F. Colb takes these questions at face value and also delves deeply into the motivations behind them, coming up with answers that are not only intelligent but insightful about human nature. Through examples, case studies, and clear-eyed logic, she provides arguments for everything from why veganism is compatible with the world’s major religions to why vegetarianism is not enough. In the end, she shows how it is possible for vegans and non-vegans to engage in a mutually beneficial conversation without descending into counterproductive name-calling, and to work together to create a more hospitable world for human animals and non-human animals alike.

“A rare fusion of passion and logic, idealism and pragmatism, style and substance, and—in its measured confrontation of the most challenging questions vegans face—a revolutionary guide for advocates seeking to engage the ethics of eating animals through authentic dialogue rather than bombastic rhetoric. Colb’s literary touch is something to behold. She writes in a way that will appeal to non-vegans and vegans alike, building bridges across an all too turbulent divide. This is food writing at its best and food writing as it should be: honest, inclusive, inspirational, and, more than you might imagine, timely.”—James McWilliams, Professor of History, Texas State University, San Marcos, and author of Just Food and The Politics of the Pasture

“With compassion, humor, and eloquence, Sherry Colb provides a clear and engaging account of what motivates vegans to eat and live the way we do. A must-read for anyone who has ever wondered (or been asked) ‘Why do vegans think it is okay to kill plants but not animals?’ or ‘Why avoid dairy and eggs?’”—Rory Freedman, New York Times bestselling co-author of Skinny Bitch and author of Beg

“Sherry Colb provides thoughtful, articulate, intelligent answers to the commonly asked questions faced by every vegan. Intertwining information, reason, and her own personal experience, Colb offers an invaluable aid both for those answering the questions and for those posing them. The perfect companion!”—Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, bestselling author and creator of The 30-Day Vegan Challenge

“A powerful, compelling, and thoroughly engaging defense of veganism from an absolutely terrific legal scholar.”—Gary L. Francione, Board of Governors Professor of Law and Katzenbach Distinguished Scholar of Law and Philosophy, Rutgers University, author of Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog?

“With crystal clear logic and an empathic voice, Sherry Colb has written a must-read source for anyone curious, skeptical, or downright antagonistic towards vegan living. This book is destined to be a classic of the emerging vegan oeuvre.”—Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D., author of The Exultant Ark

“Full of thoughtful analyses of some of the most common, perplexing, and often challenging reactions to vegans and veganism. Any vegan or vegetarian who has wished they’d had a more informed response to a question or challenge about their ideology—and anyone who wants to better understand some of the fundamental concepts of veganism—will benefit from reading Sherry Colb’s in-depth exploration of the issues.”—Melanie Joy, Ph.D., author of Why We Love

Entangled Empathy

In Entangled Empathy, scholar and activist Lori Gruen argues that rather than focusing on animal “rights,” we ought to work to make our relationships with animals right by empathetically responding to their needs, interests, desires, vulnerabilities, hopes, and unique perspectives. Pointing out that we are already entangled in complex and life-altering relationships with other animals, Gruen guides readers through a new way of thinking about—and practicing—animal ethics.

Gruen describes entangled empathy as a type of caring perception focused on attending to another’s experience of well-being. It is an experiential process involving a blend of emotion and cognition in which we recognize we are in relationships with others and are called upon to be responsive and responsible in these relationships by attending to another. When we engage in entangled empathy we are transformed and in that transformation we can imagine less violent, more meaningful ways of being together.

“Entangled Empathy shows us how to think more clearly and act more ably, and it also brings us back into felt awareness of the web of relationships in which we live. That s the beautiful bonus of this way of being in the world.”—pattrice jones, co-founder of VINE sanctuary and author of The Oxen at the Intersection

“I hope Entangled Empathy enjoys the wide readership that it deserves. A focus on empathy is just what is needed to make the world a better place for all animals, human and non-human alike.”—Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding our Hearts

The Marble Room

What comes after religion?

This question is at the root of how an increasingly self-aware humanity will struggle to define itself in the 21st century. William Hatcher’s memoir, The Marble Room, explores this question by taking readers on an archetypal adventure of self-discovery.

The author grew up in a racist, religiously supremacist milieu in rural America. Life was safe and predictable until his parents divorced when he was a young teen. Attempting to rewrite the end of his parents’ marriage and salvage his worldview, he married an evangelical woman, but that, too, ended in divorce.

Desperate to redefine truth, he left home to serve in the Peace Corps, teaching geography at an all-girls’ boarding school in Tanzania. His Bible Belt racism and religious beliefs crumbled as the challenges he faced escalated; glimpsing death on holy peaks, meeting “ancestor spirits” in sacred caves, and receiving the “leopard’s blessing” from elder shamans. One of his Muslim students became a close friend and confidante, and she encouraged him to consider God in different ways. Near the end of the story he finds peace in Pantheism, though an unexpected tragedy puts his new spirituality to a final test.

Print copies of this book are now available from billhatcherbooks.com.