Lantern

Publishing and Media

Lantern

Publishing and Media

Archives: Books

Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths

Albert Bandura’s ideas about the methods people use to avoid feeling guilty about harming others have led to valuable insights about many forms of mass violence, from wartime atrocities to terrorism and genocide. Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths applies these insights to another form of mass violence: the many ways people harm animals. Each of the first eight chapters discusses how people use a particular method of moral disengagement to feel better about harming animals. The last two chapters highlight the myths that have been developed in this regard, including the Myth of Happy Meat and the Myth of Humane Animal Research. These myths perpetuate the attitudes and actions of modern sexists and racists, further legitimizing their actions. Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths discusses how different forms of prejudice are interconnected and why we will not be able to eradicate other forms of such violence without eradicating prejudice against animals, too.

The Appendix consists of The Omnivore’s Moral Dilemmas, an essay that discusses the ethical conflicts faced by omnivores who think of themselves as environmentalists, feminists, humanitarians, humane pescatarians, or humane vegetarians and why they cannot be true to their values without adopting a plant-based diet.

“Society is gradually coming to terms with the harsh realities of animal agriculture, as long-hidden truths about the industry’s practices and the dark places where animals have been hidden for decades are being exposed. In response to mounting scrutiny, the industry claims that it can improve its operations and produce ‘happy’ meat and ‘humane’ animal products with adjustments to its production practices. However, as Peter Marsh’s book, Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths reveals, there is a fundamental ethical dilemma to confining and killing animals for human consumption that cannot be solved with minor changes to an inherently cruel system. Regardless of the labels on the packaging or rationalizations on the product websites, the truth remains: there is no humane way to justify the exploitation of animals for food.”—Hope Bohanec, author of The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat? and editor of The Humane Hoax: Essays Exposing the Myth of Happy Meat, Humane Dairy and Ethical Eggs

“In Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths, Marsh challenges us to confront the cognitive dissonance at the core of our treatment of animals. Essential reading for anyone who has ever wondered why kind people participate in cruel practices.”—Jess Bugg, author, You Had to Be There: Thoughts of Ecological Grief in the Anthropocene

“What does it mean to be humane? We accept the definition as being characterized by kindness, mercy, or compassion as well as pertaining to a human. People might have intentions of being humane, but the reality is many humans commit great atrocities against each other and to animals and nature. Whether it’s in research or raising animals for food, when there’s suffering involved, can the activity truly be called humane? In Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths, Peter Marsh gives us the proof that what we often call humane is not what we have defined it to mean. It’s a paradox. Marsh connects the dots between the cruel way people treat other people and how animals are made to experience pain and suffering at our human hands. Marsh offers hope with suggestions on how we can overcome our prejudices and become kind, compassionate, humane human beings.”—Caryn Hartglass, Co-Founder and President, Responsible Eating And Living

“You will love to read Peter Marsh’s Happy Meat, Humane Animal Research, and Other Myths. The book will supply you with state-of-the-art facts, figures, and arguments that will empower you to defeat the nonsense thrown at you by animal exploiters and their apologists. So read it and be prepared, for every one of us is an advocate for our animal cousins. Every one of us needs to be armed and equipped to known down the exploiters and stand over them for our animal cousins. Marsh’s book has an unintended benefit: It shows the lengths to which exploiters must go to lie and deny about their work. For me, this is a good thing, because it shows that there is a universal human affinity for our animal cousins. We have good instincts, but our dominant human supremacist worldview beats them down with lies, denials, and all sorts of desensitization so that people can ‘enjoy’ the benefits of animal slavery without having to have unpleasant thoughts and feelings.”—Jim Mason, author, An Unnatural Order: The Roots of our Destruction of Nature

Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence

This book highlights significant contributions to animal studies and animal rights activism regarding the total liberation of all life on Earth for more peaceful non/human coexistence.

Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence serves as a unifying platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common goal of achieving total liberation and fostering coexistence between humans and nonhumans beyond the confines of our shared planet. The chapters delve into a wide range of subjects, including critical analyses of human/nonhuman interactions, strategies for enhancing liberation efforts, and the significance of drawing inspiration from nonhuman entities.

Several chapters within this book push the field towards innovative pathways by proposing solutions to detrimental practices and organizational frameworks. Moreover, they underscore the interconnectedness of animal advocacy with other social justice movements, thereby fostering collaboration among advocates of various liberation causes. Veganism, in its broadest sense, emerges as a recurring motif that threads together the diverse themes explored in this book, facilitating a cohesive approach towards anti-oppressive endeavors.

To amplify the voices of marginalized communities, the editors have strategically positioned chapters authored by individuals of color and other underrepresented groups at the forefront of this book, granting them prominent roles in sections such as the foreword, preface, and afterword. This arrangement challenges content creators to redefine their understanding of ‘meaningful’ content creation, urging them to prioritize original insights, emotionally resonant narratives, and incisive critiques over recycled ideas that may saturate discourse and stifle diverse perspectives.

Readers are encouraged to actively engage in alleviating nonhuman suffering while respecting the autonomy of nonhuman entities to flourish, equipping themselves with the skills necessary to discern between the two. This call to action underscores the imperative of fostering empathy and understanding in our interactions with the nonhuman world, paving the way for a more compassionate and inclusive future.

“This collection interrogates the human-animal studies field’s seeming compulsion to focus on human interactions with nonhuman animals and its implicit centering of the human in doing so. By reframing human interactions with nonhumans as intrusions, this collection disrupts normative logics that ignore nonhuman realities at the expense of feel-good coexistence narratives and moves towards a liberatory framework in which the field can build on.”—Zane McNeill, editor of Vegan Entanglements: Dismantling Racial and Carceral Capitalism

“Nonhuman animals globally need all the help they can get in the Anthropocene, often called ”the age of humanity’ but practically cashed out as ‘the rage of inhumanity.’ Meaningful work on behalf of other animals to help them deal with widespread human intrusions into their lives and diverse ways of being require academics and on-the-ground activists to work hand-in-hand to use what we know about these fascinating individuals to help them to thrive in an increasingly human-dominated world. Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence clearly shows that coexistence between non/humans requires ongoing multispecies negotiations with humans showing far more respect for what other animals need to have the freedoms to express who they are and to live high quality lives typical of their species.”—Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., author of The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine, and The Emotional Lives of Animals.

“To liberate. To leave alone. These seem like contradictory principles, one active and one passive. Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence challenges us to see their complementarity, inviting readers to investigate non-interference as an active ethical principle and helping us recognize that non/human coexistence unfolds not only through ‘encounter’ but also, importantly, through deliberate non-encounter. This provocative collection of essays, with its diverse range of perspectives and wide thematic scope, is sure to make you think differently. The editors and authors should be applauded for their valuable contribution to non/human liberation.”—Jessica Pierce, PhD. Affiliate Faculty, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, author of Who’s A Good Dog? And How to Be A Better Human.

“Animal studies is a dynamic and vibrant area of contemporary scholarship. It thrives on crossing boundaries, not only intellectual boundaries but also boundaries between theory and practice. This volume celebrates that diversity, juxtaposing innovative ideas within and across chapters. Read it and you will have a sense of the excitement, the breadth and depth of thinking, that is emerging in work on non/human coexistence.”—Thomas Dietz, Author of Decisions for Sustainability

“Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence is an essential contribution to the growing field of scholarship daring to challenge deeply ingrained paradigms about shared non/human existence. With breathtaking scope and ambition, the editors have curated a body of scholarship spanning disciplines and worldviews that boldly break the mold, offering an expansive, thought-provoking collection interrogating and dismantling boundaries which have long limited the discourse on liberation for all life. The range of perspectives gathered here illuminates the often invisible yet profound ‘entanglements of oppression’ binding non/humans, revealing how these entanglements can potentially become the groundwork for genuine liberation. This volume transcends the usual frameworks to spark new ways of thinking about coexistence and resistance. It invites readers not just to imagine new futures, but to take seriously the urgent need to build them—futures where liberation is collective, holistic, and encompasses literally everyone.”—Emilia A. Leese, author, podcaster, rewilder, and author of Think Like a Vegan

“Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence makes an impressive contribution to the literature, not least through drawing meaningful attention toward an eclectic range of otherwise marginalized and little-understood intersectional areas of enquiry. This, together with the fact that the contributions include some of the most important international scholars and activists working at this time, will make it essential reading for many. In particular, its accessibility and breadth should have strong appeal across many critical academics, activists and broader public communities alike: I really hope it is read widely!”—Dr. Richard J. White, Associate Professor in Human Geography, Sheffield Hallam University, Co-Editor of Vegan Geographies: Spaces Beyond Violence, Ethics Beyond Speciesism

“This collection is provocative and accessible; it draws on ways humans and nonhuman animals coexist together from a vegan perspective. Each essay’s unique perspective makes the whole book interesting and engaging. There is also zero compromise regarding human and nonhuman animal liberation. This is a book that might make anyone look at our relationship with other animals in an entirely different manner. I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone interested in veganism, total liberation, or simply making sense of the way we share and view the world.”—John Tallent, author of How to Unite the Left on Animals: A Handbook on Total Liberationist Veganism and a Shared Reality

“This edited volume critiques some of the most important issues preventing the success of animal liberation including the failure of capitalism, consumerism, and lab-grown meat. In contrast, it argues for animal liberation as a social justice movement in solidarity with other social justice movements. It is a wonderful text and I highly recommend it.”—Vasile Stănescu, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies & Theatre, Mercer University

Censored Landscapes

Censored Landscapes unveils the hidden reality of farming animals, offering a powerful and emotionally charged exploration. Photographs, essays, poetry, and research together tell a factual story about the most abusive industry of the twenty-first century. Isabella La Rocca González’s lens captures the haunting beauty of landscapes that portray the animal agricultural industry. A number displayed with each image represents the lives imprisoned within the facility, drawing attention to the magnitude of suffering behind the banal exteriors. Portraits of nonhuman animals who have been confined in such facilities are emblematic of the vast number of animals whose individuality, sentience, and beauty are obliterated by the industry. 

Censored Landscapes maintains a lyrical quality through evocative photographs, poetry, and personal narrative. The project also provides a robust basis in verifiable facts and scientific research. Readers are encouraged to confront the intricate web of connections between animal agriculture, animal suffering, environmental devastation, worker exploitation, human health, economic political structures, and social justice. This book is a call to action, a revelation of the invisible, and an opportunity to see, feel, and make a difference. 

“This is perhaps the most powerful indictment against animal agriculture I’ve ever encountered. It gave me an eerie feeling of deafening silence, while inviting a sliver of hope.”—Dr. Jonathan Balcombe, author of Super Fly, What a Fish Knows, Second Nature, and Pleasurable Kingdom

“Censored Landscapes is an eye-opening testament to the profound impact of art in unveiling the hidden truths of our world. Among the most egregious and disturbing unseen truths concerns the abusive mistreatment of so-called food animals who, despite being highly sentient, feeling beings, are treated as if they are unfeeling objects whose only purpose in life is to provide food for carnivorous humans. It’s a matter of who is for dinner, not what is for dinner. Through powerful photographs, insightful text, and detailed research, Isabella La Rocca González exposes an industry built on webs of social inequality and injustices and the violent exploitation of innocent animals. With meticulous attention to detail and poignant storytelling, Censored Landscapes invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths with empathy and compassion. In a world grappling with ethical dilemmas and ecological crises, this timely work demonstrates the transformative power of art and advocacy to provoke thought and ignite action. Censored Landscapes not only informs but also draws the connection between animal agriculture and every facet of our lives. This timely work is a call to action for a more just and equitable world.”—Marc Bekoff, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder, author of The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age, and The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy—and Why They Matter

“The architecture of power and control is so blatant and banal, it’s almost invisible. Almost, but not to this photographer. For the animals, the innocent, the gentle, these places of terror and grief scar the land. The stench and cries are carried by the wind and water, as they have memory. Roads, like arteries, end at a slaughterhouse in America, from the slaughterhouse to your house. You consume their terror. The portraits of the few refugees who have found shelter, a home, are poignantly contrasted with the trillion farmed animals born into mechanized death. Meticulously documented facts and essays in this book support urgency to change, for the road we are on is coming to an end.”—Sue Coe, artist and author of The Animals’ Manifesto, The Ghosts of Our Meat, Dead Meat, and Cruel

“Kept at a distance by belligerent guards, Isabella La Rocca González has produced a suite of photographs of the death factories that, even from afar, give off a haunting, sinister air. Censored Landscapes is a notable addition to the mounting documentation of the darkest scandal of our age.”—JM Coetzee, author of The Lives of Animals, Elizabeth Costello, and Disgrace; winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature

“Censored Landscapes is a cerebral yet visceral exploration of the largely hidden world of industrial animal agriculture. La Rocca González takes an inventive approach to the subject by presenting a mosaic of narratives and photographs that engage left- and right-brain connections to farmed animals. Industry ‘fact sheets’ are interwoven with passages from iconic authors such as Upton Sinclair and Rainer Maria Rilke as well as the author’s own narrative, including the intimate story of Henry the turkey. The trademark landscape photos of animal facilities throughout the book express a sense of dystopia, brutality, and aversion to nature. Censored Landscapes is an essential part of the animal liberation lexicon.”—Robert Grillo, founder and director of Free from Harm, author of Farm to Fable: The Fictions of Our Animal-Consuming Culture

“Censored Landscapes merges poetry, clearly stated facts, lucid prose, and the stunning photography of a well-informed and dedicated scholar—a heart-wrenching and persuasive combination.”—Dr. Lisa Kemmerer (lisakemmerer.com), professor emerita, founder of Tapestry (tapestryofpeace.org), author of Eating Earth

“Censored Landscapes is a thorough, thoughtful, and beautiful contribution to our thinking about sentience and ethics. Along with La Rocca González’ prose, her photographs of quiet rural landscapes afford the viewer both time and autonomy to absorb and comprehend a new point of view of farmed animals. This is a well-crafted and revelatory book.”—Jo-Anne McArthur, photojournalist and founder of We Animals Media

“At an early age I became aware that animal agriculture is an inherently cruel and destructive business. Censored Landscapes combines visual artistry, deeply personal storytelling, poignant poetry, and impactful research to reveal not only the colossal atrocity against nonhuman animals, but the resulting environmental devastation and interrelated systemic oppressions. Censored Landscapes is an urgently needed confrontation with the horrifying reality of farming animals.”—Moby

“Isabella takes us on a journey that both zooms in on the poignant lives of animals freed from modern industrial agriculture and zooms out to the fortress-like exteriors of animal production facilities. The book offers a compelling personal view of what defines ‘censored landscapes’ that is often lonely, desolate, and complex. This unexpected coffee table masterpiece challenges you to ‘not look away’ but rather to analyze the unassuming architecture of today’s animal agricultural landscapes that lack a sense of humanity within its barbed-wire boundaries.”—Christine Morrissey, executive director of Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary

“Censored Landscapes is a powerful, thought provoking, timely text that is a must read for all. This book captures the true story of the abuse, oppression, pain, sadness, and loneliness of nonhuman animals in factory farms and other places of violence toward nonhuman animals. There are not enough books, films, and posters showing the true reality of terrorism toward nonhuman animals.”—Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II, cofounder and executive director of the Institute for Critical Animal Studies, editor of Peace Studies Journal

Abandoned

Foreword by Francis Battista

Afterword by Deborah Samuel

Striking, emotionally charged, fine art photographs chronicle the lives of approximately 60 once-abandoned dogs, illuminating each one’s journey from a shelter or rescue organization to a loving, permanent home. The “before and after” photographs illustrate the profound benefits of animal adoption for both dogs and humans alike.
 
Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs is a decade-long project inspired by Carver’s own adopted Shetland Sheepdog, Biscuit, who had been abandoned on a rural highway, terrified and malnourished. Biscuit’s evolution from a sickly and emaciated shell of a dog to a confident, trusting, and beloved family member positively changed Carver’s and her husband’s lives forever. This set Carver on her quest to examine the lives of other abandoned dogs, illustrating how dog rescue gave these dogs a second chance with completely new lives.
 
The photographs capture the salient emotion, spirit, and dignity of each dog, despite their circumstances. From Whippets to Jack Russell Terriers and Saint Bernards to Golden Retrievers, along with many mixed breeds, Carver’s book showcases dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, temperaments, and backgrounds, including written narratives, derived from interviews with shelter and rescue personnel and adopters to provide additional context to each dog’s journey.
 
Carver initially met and photographed each dog shortly after they entered a shelter or rescue organization, and then again approximately a year after being adopted into a permanent home. The juxtaposition of these two photographs is a powerful testament to the transformative experience of dog rescue and adoption. Carver witnessed abandoned dogs that were given entirely new lives and became integral family members as a result of rescue and adoption.
 
Abandoned: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs is a tribute to dogs like Robo, Murdock, Mario, and Trucker. The book chronicles how dog rescue and adoption enriches not only the lives of the dogs, but how it unequivocally enriches the lives of their human companions as well. Carver hopes this work compels viewers to consider dog rescue and adoption. This book will appeal to dog and animal lovers far and wide.

“In Abandoned, Carver describes, with words and beautiful photographs, the plight of abandoned dogs and how a caring home can transform a frightened cowering being into a confident and happy companion who will give unconditional love. . . . A must read.”—Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE; Founder – The Jane Goodall Institute & United Nations Messenger of Peace
 
“Abandoned is a testament to the nobility of dogs, their willingness to forgive, and the great love they offer their humans. Carver has caught all this and more in her moving portraits of these long-suffering animals whose faces will remain in your mind long after you finish this book.”—Sally Mann, photographer and New York Times bestselling author of Sally Mann: A Thousand Crossings 
 
“This is a gorgeous, emotional tribute to the resilience of dogs and our special connection and responsibility to them. By telling the stories of these abandoned dogs and photographing them so exquisitely, Carver ennobles them and rescues them for all of us.”—Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of On Animals
 
“The luminous photographs, and the stories behind them, will break your heart but also fill it with wonderment and joy. This extraordinary book reminds us that for every forsaken creature, for every cruelty and abandoned promise, a happy forever can await, if only we humans step up and say, ‘Come home with me, won’t you?’”—John Grogan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog
 
“This book will break your heart—and then heal it all over again. In words and photographs, Carver has captured both the callous cruelty that led to these dogs’ abandonment, and the transformative power of love for both the dogs and their forever humans. May these compelling photographs and stories bring together the people and animals who will love one another until death do they part.”—Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell

“Carver’s gorgeous photographs show the individuality of each abandoned dog. Both dog lovers and people who admire black and white photography will love this book.”—Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions
 
“The word ‘abandoned’ is just a category, giving us a sense of devaluation, perhaps even of lost hope. But this book, Abandoned, gives us just the opposite. Exquisite views of individual creatures, the hope for whom is never lost.”—Carl Safina, New York Times bestselling author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel
 
“Each of the individual dogs profiled by Carver is given such dignity by the attention and care taken in her photographs of them. Their personalities, their emotions, their anticipation are all on full display. I felt relief at each adoption story and heartbreak at each loss. Carver’s photographs remind us that every dog is a wonderful dog, and it is only up to us to open our hearts to find one.”—Alexandra Horowitz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
 
“I love this book! It tugs at the heart-strings! I think it is a wonderful book and will undoubtedly be cherished by all dog lovers, especially those who have had the heart to adopt a dog from a shelter. One thing I learned from this book: Do NOT buy a dog, there are too many wonderful dogs desperate for a home. Get your dog exclusively from a shelter or rescue organization.”—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, New York Times bestselling author of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals
 
“From sad, wary, tired, disheartened, to bright-eyed and joyful, Carver’s elegant portraits capture more succinctly than words can ever manage, the glory of finding a home, and the miracle of love. For anyone who has suffered from loneliness or disappointment in their lives, Abandoned is a masterful inspiration: get closer to animals. Their emotions are deep, complete, and visible, and they are waiting to wrap you in love.”—Erika Abrams, President, Animal Aid Unlimited

From Harm to Healing

A moving and engrossing photographic narrative exploring the lives—past and present—of some of the rescued monkeys currently residing at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in South Texas, USA.
 
From Harm to Healing combines photography and narrative to explore the stories of eight monkeys rescued from traumatic and abusive situations and rehomed to one of the largest animal sanctuaries in the United States, the Born Free Primate Sanctuary.
 
With an honest and open approach to the work of sanctuaries, the book seeks to consider the complexities and challenges of life after rescue. It posits the work of sanctuaries not simply as a “happily ever after” for victims of the pet trade, vivisection, and zoos, but as a journey toward recovery that may take years, or even decades. Wild animals such as monkeys remain caged even in sanctuaries of the absolute highest standards. Understanding this, the book explores the ethical obligations and challenges faced by the staff, as well as the monkeys and their individual obstacles, that must be overcome in the journey to recovery.
 
Ultimately, From Harm to Healing seeks to share the individual tales of the monkeys from their perspective and makes the case that, while sanctuaries are vital to protect animals from further harm, they are not the answer to end animal suffering. Indeed, the only way in which we can end the suffering of exploited wild animals is to tackle the source head on. In the meantime, sanctuaries continue to pick up the pieces and do what they can to help victims of exploitation move from situations of harm to those of healing.

“All nonhuman primates are profoundly complex, intelligent, and emotional beings who are born to live in dynamic and ever-changing societies with family, friends, and competitors. Tragically, these sentient beings kept as pets have had their opportunities to live full natural lives in freedom snatched from them at birth. Those lucky enough to find their way to sanctuaries do not experience immediate good lives but embark on a long journey of recovery as they navigate living alongside those of their own kind for the first time. From Harm to Healing tells the stories of eight monkeys rescued from the pet trade. Some heartwarming, and some heartbreaking, this important book gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of one of the largest primate sanctuaries in the U.S.”—Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., Author of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter

“The exotic pet trade rips wild animals away from their homes and families, causing unimaginable stress and suffering to individuals and entire groups of primates who live in complex societies. The trade disrupts ecosystems and in some cases pushes endangered species to extinction. This important book takes you behind the scenes of a ruthless trade and shines a light on the hard work behind the creation of a new and torture free life for eight beautiful individuals, who were lucky enough to have found a home at the primate sanctuary. Neatly illustrated and written, it highlights that keeping wildlife in captivity is not only cruel for animals but dangerous for people. How many more tragic stories does our society need to encounter, till we finally do what is right—keep wildlife in the wild.”—Britta Jaschinski, Conservation Photographer

“A deeply evocative book, with outstandingly beautiful images. A book to treasure as a celebration of free-living animals, now thankfully rescued. A lovely tribute to those who dare to care.”—The Revd. Professor Andrew Linzey, PhD, DD, HonDD, Director, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

“Reading a book about monkeys should not make you weep. But this one does—so much unnecessary suffering is caused by the primate pet trade. Scientists like to analyze data from large sample sizes, but case studies can often illuminate an issue with greater clarity than graphs and statistics. From Harm to Healing documents the lives and in some cases the deaths, of just eight monkeys. Sensitively written, some stories have a joyful outcome, some a tragic one, whether for the monkey or the former owner or both—the phrases ‘large canine teeth’ and ‘life-changing injuries’ appear more than once. Should be required reading for anyone considering acquiring a ‘pet’ primate—or indeed any exotic pet!”—Ian Redmond, OBE FZS FLS—Tropical Field Biologist and Conservationist

A Race for Life

The amazing story of how one woman survived breast cancer to take on the toughest races in the world.

A Race for Life provides the reader with detailed information on the how and why a whole food, plant-based vegan diet works to dramatically lower the risk of breast cancer. Through her remarkable life journey, Dr. Ruth shares how practicing a healthy diet and lifestyle will give your body its best chance to reverse and prevent a recurrence of cancer and many other diseases. Dr. Ruth conveys the importance of exercise and eating a plant-based diet to foster good health and energy with recent research showing how certain exercises and diets can suppress cancer cell growth. Through her personal experience and wisdom, Dr. Ruth shares what you need to know about “reconstruction” after breast surgery. Through compassion and empathy, Dr. Ruth shares how to best deal with the stress of getting that cancer diagnosis and turning that negative energy into a positive force for you and others.

“Inspiring, medically sound, and beautifully written. I would like to share this book with all of my patients and friends. Hearing the message from Ruth’s perspective makes for a heart-warming journey and a solid prescription for optimum well being.”—Neal D. Barnard, M.D., author, Eat Right, Live Longer and Foods That Fight Pain

“Ruth’s story of surviving breast cancer, adopting a plant-based diet and becoming a winning world class triathlete is both exhilarating and terrifying. With discipline, exuberance and resilience, Ruth faced each challenge including two near-fatal highway collisions and an alarming medical setback. Her life-affirming attitude shines through her whole remarkable story from sickness to health, from tragedy to triumph. What an inspiration for all!”—Dorothy Greet, educator, speaker, author of Go Veg With Class, www.GoVegWithClass.com

“A Race for Life is more than an athlete’s memoir; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and a practical guide for anyone looking to enhance their health and vitality naturally. Ruth Heidrich, alongside experts in medicine, coaching, and nutrition, provides compelling evidence that a life of exceptional wellness is achievable for all of us. Her fascinating story is a beacon of hope and a blueprint for a healthier, more fulfilling life, proving that with the right mix of discipline, knowledge, and spirit, the battle against even the most daunting challenges can be won.”—Chef AJ, former television host, executive pastry chef, and author

“A Race for Life is an inspiring story by a remarkable woman. Dr. Ruth is a portrait in courage and perseverance, serving as an example of how we can face and overcome obstacles, whatever they may be, on our life journey. Her book is especially valuable for older readers! Empowered with knowledge of the health benefits of the vegan lifestyle, we can give ourselves the best chance to flourish in our advanced age with good health, vitality, mental acuity, and purpose.”—Dr. Joanne Kong, editor, Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

“This is the book I wished I’d had back when I was 40. It is so inspiring to read about what Ruth Heidrich went through to become a Stage 4 breast cancer survivor. As if that weren’t enough, she covers what it takes to be an Ironman triathlete, mentally as well as physically. It would be a great gift for any woman, athlete or not.”—Karina Lok, senior vegan runner

“Ruth’s wisdom is well-founded in science as well as her own personal experience. This book—chock-full of good information—is good reading as well. For those wanting to be well and fit, read A Race for Life.”—Jim Mason, author, An Unnatural Order

“Ruth Heidrich serves as an inspiration for every woman fighting for her life and dignity. Given the right foods and exercise she proves the human body is its own greatest healer. Don’t miss this opportunity to take charge of your life.”—John McDougall, M.D., author, McDougall Program for Women

“A passionate testimonial by an extraordinary woman who turned tragedy to triumph through vigorous exercise and refined diet. Ruth Heidrich’s experiences point to the potential in all of us when we turn knowledge to action, to create healthier, more vibrant lives.”—Dan Millman, author, Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Body Mind Mastery

“Dr. Ruth Heidrich is a fear annihilator. She’s faced head-on the two greatest fears that women have—breast cancer and growing old—and shows that it’s possible to overcome the former and transform the latter. Surely everyone’s story is different, but in reading hers, we can collect tools to apply to our own, along with inspiration, courage, and a role model bar none.”—Victoria Moran, author, The Love-Powered Diet and Age Like a Yogi

“A Race for Life was the first book I published at Lantern, back in 2000, and like Ruth herself, it remains an evergreen example of tenacity, resilience, passion, and maximizing your potential. A Race for Life began Lantern’s (and my own running) journey, and I’m delighted that we’re all still going strong!”—Martin Rowe, editor, Running, Eating, Thinking: A Vegan Anthology and Executive Director of Culture & Animals Foundation

Life of Pei

Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion is an inspirational read for those who are grappling with their thoughts and direction in life. In honest and moving detail, Pei describes her life experiences and how she found meaning in her life and a pathway to help other people who needed support and direction. Pei encourages a reasoned and integrated approach to foster empathy and compassion—not just for other people, but also for animals and the environment. Pei’s covert undercover investigations into wildlife issues, farming, captive animals, and companion animals show bravery and commitment to her life’s mission. Pei came to believe that learning and developing an understanding of cultures and diversity is the key to successful and sustainable change in behavior. In essence, Pei interviews herself and attempts to analyze what she has learned about both herself and human nature. Through her remarkable life journey, Pei truly believes that given the chance to understand the truth about life on earth, most people, and children in particular, will choose compassion and empathy first.

“Pei offers an insight into the fragility of life but also conveys the strength of human nature through a candid account of her life experiences. Her United Nations-accredited Caring for Life education program in China, encapsulates a comprehensive and essential message of compassion in action, for all forms of life.”—Dr. Zhou Jin-Fong, secretary general of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) China

“An inspiring story of a life of hardship turned to one dedicated to compassion. We can all find hope from such a path.”—Leah Garcés, CEO and president, Mercy For Animals

“An authentic life is not created by us, but rather it creates us. Through her autobiography, meet Pei Su and her powerful journey of compassion for all living beings, reaffirming the Buddhist proverb: One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.”—Michael Kaufmann, director, Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys, USA

“Pei is a tenacious, wise, and compassionate soul with a page-turning story to share. She has walked a valiant path and through this book, she invites us to explore with her and draw from what she has seen and experienced.”—Jo-Anne McArthur, photojournalist, humane educator, animal rights activist, and author

“Authentic, brave, and riveting, Life of Pei is one woman’s saga of redemption through finding her spiritual center and her life’s mission: to put compassion into action for all beings. I loved this book, and although I’ve never met its author, her writing leads me to believe that I probably love her, too.”—Victoria Moran, author, Creating a Charmed Life, The Love-Powered Diet, and Age Like a Yogi

“The world needs Humane Education more than ever. I am certain that it should concern not just humans, but the entire animal kingdom and the environment. I know of no one who has greater insight into its value than Pei and her invention of ACTAsia is a powerful therapeutic initiative for the world’s needs.”—Terence Ryan, emeritus professor, Osler-McGovern Centre, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford

“A wonderful book that follows the extraordinary path of Pei and an opportunity to enjoy her straightforward, inspirational, and transparent personality. Knowing her for some 25 years, her wisdom, determination, and clear-minded vision have led her through the rocky seas of man’s relationship with his fellow animals. What a tremendous difference she is making!”—Marquis Federico Spinola, president of ACTAsia

“This is a how-to book for activists. How to persevere in the face of personal struggles and cultural barriers. How tenacity, hard work, and vision are the keys. An unusually honest and engaging account from a true warrior for justice.”—Ken Swensen, Inside Animal Ag

“Pei and I helped to draft the new Animal Protection Law in Taiwan, at a unique time in Taiwan’s history, when it was emerging economically, socially, and politically. I have always admired Pei’s bravery, her open-mindedness, and her belief in the kind nature of human hearts. She is a change-maker, and her determination will carry her through, in her battle for compassion.”—Professor Jason Yeh, National Taiwan University

Sub-Human

Sub-Human delves into what it means to be an animal, how our view of other animals impacts our view of other people, oppressions, and the planet, how we got here, as well as how we can move forward together.

When we accept oppression of some, we feed the oppression of others, and we make space for domination driven by false ideas of inferiority and lesser worth. When we discount the inherent preciousness of animals who think and feel, we erase precious parts of ourselves. When we consider living beings as “livestock,” it’s no wonder we pillage the unthinking yet irreplaceable living earth.

Sub-Human is a robustly researched, sharply critical yet comfortingly human call to arms, diving deeply into the theory behind oppression, liberation, and the intersections within it. Exploring the history of animal consumption and commodification, this book deconstructs the current sociopolitical climate surrounding animal enterprises by looking at how we got here. Most importantly, it unravels how we can work towards a collectively liberated world.

“Sub-Human is the most-needed book for the Animal Freedom movement right now. Emma Hakansson gives us a wide, deep view of oppression that explains the links among speciesism, racism, sexism, and homophobia. Most importantly, she gives us strategic thinking and practical advice on how to make change. This book is the ‘new testament’ for the movement.”—Jim Mason, author, An Unnatural Order

“This remarkable book opens readers’ eyes and hearts to the critical intersections between human and non-human animals. The book’s title says it all—humanity has assumed a hierarchical superiority over other animals. Emma Hakansson brings an impressive breadth of knowledge and critical thought to her work as she examines the history of animal exploitation, its deep connections to other forms of oppression, and the forces of change propelling the movement towards compassionate living. The points clearly come across that our survival as a species depends upon a transformation in perceptions of our kindred animals, and that each of us as individuals holds a unique privilege to create positive change.”—Dr. Joanne Kong, editor of Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

“Sub-Human is an important contribution to the work we must put in to see total liberation for us all—nonhumans and humans. All animal advocates, and anyone interested in social justice and dismantling oppression, should read this book.”—Leah Garcés, president of Mercy For Animals

“Sub-Human is a diligently researched and written book that is both provocative and utterly reasonable. Now more than ever, it’s critical we understand that animal rights are a part of a wider movement for total justice, and Sub-Human argues this perfectly.”—Chris Delforce, director of the Dominion documentary and executive director of Farm Transparency Project

“The movement for animal rights is inherently political, and Sub-Human explores just how the plight of animals, as well as people and the planet, relates to our current political context, and the history that led us here. It is an important read that helps us to better consider how we can best protect the animals exploited today.”—Georgie Purcell MP, Animal Justice Party member and the youngest woman in the Victorian Parliament, Australia

“It’s not enough to simply understand the issues. The importance lies in how you react to that knowledge. In Sub-Human, the enormity of the oppression is laid out before you, but so are the stories and philosophies of those who have fought to stop it. By learning about the issues, their interconnectedness, and the struggles to overcome them, the reader isn’t simply educated, but passed a torch to carry on the fight.”—Jake Conroy, activist, The Cranky Vegan

The Red Planet

A finalist in the 2025 National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) in Social and Political Change.

The Red Planet explores why humans went from being peaceful and egalitarian with a preference for plant food to a hyper-masculine paradigm with consequences ranging from misogyny, racism, and environmental abuse to animal cruelty, classism, and warfare. 

We humans have an extraordinary capacity for compassion. Much of it in response to the atrocities we inflict on the planet, its animals, and each other. The popular explanation for this paradox is that we evolved as carnivorous “killer apes,” who gradually curbed our lust for violence, with frequent exceptions, by implementing humane social norms. This explanation is so well worn, especially in the American psyche, that it epitomizes cliché. So, we could be forgiven for believing it, when nearly every word is fiction.

Current research shows that our species narrowly survived extinction in the last Ice Age only because we evolved to become inherently friendly, conciliatory, and nonviolent—all feminine attributes. During that time, we retreated into rich, verdant landscapes that contained foods that didn’t run away from us or bite back; plant foods that our bodies preferred. The verdict is clear: Our original biological and social programming is nonviolent.

So, what changed? What turned us from goddess-worshiping, plant-eating peacemakers into god-worshiping, animal-eating warmongers? The Red Planet answers this question by proposing a Gendered Landscapes Theory, or GLT. In short, the GLT asserts that geography shaped the early human mind, which in turn shaped its first cultures, which were originally nonviolent. Much later, and in a few critical instances, geographies that favored hyper-masculine traits encouraged animal cruelty, punitive gods and religions, and social inequalities. However, we’ll see that it didn’t have to be that way, even in harsh landscapes. And recently, a growing consciousness has rekindled our intrinsically feminine qualities of nonviolence, relationship, and equality.

“The Red Planet: Gendered Landscapes and Violent Inequalities explores the way dominant worldviews shrink our possibilities. Bill explains how our historical and cultural narratives have been shaped by socially constructed binaries of gender and sexuality. This book encourages questions about other ways of thinking and living, ways that are perhaps outside of mainstream ability to imagine because of the stories we have been given.”—Jean Alger, PhD, Professor of English, Trinidad State College

“The Red Planet reminds us that our stories are part of us and that we remake and retell them as tools. We choose whether to use them for power over one another, animals, and Earth, or for peace. Hatcher leads us to the edge of what we “know” to better reflect on our options.”—Kara Davis, Director of Impact, Unovis Asset Management, contributing author to Letters to a New Vegan, and co-editor of Defiant Daughters

“The Red Planet offers its readers a journey through [the] introspection of self, others, societies, and the narratives that have shaped them. This book provides a pathway of understanding through Bill Hatcher’s careful and thoughtful investigation into the stories that have fashioned traditional perceptions of race, gender, sex, and the environment.”—Jennifer Fluri, PhD, Professor of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder

“I loved the book! It exposed me to so many new ideas and thought processes that could help save us and our planet!”—Bridgett Larsen, Geography student, Pikes Peak State College

“Reading The Red Planet is an incredible journey that sparked my imagination! It is filled with both thought-provoking fairy tales and profound scientific insights. It not only shed light on the fascinating connection between geography and human evolution but also challenged and informed my understanding of masculinity and femininity.”—Zhen Li, Geography student, Colorado Mountain College

“The power of [Andean mound sites] is a specific example of the long view of humanity taken in The Red Planet. Using a Gendered Landscapes Theory, Bill Hatcher shows how geography may originally have shaped people’s minds and cultures which, in turn, reshaped their geography.”—Kimberly Munro, PhD, Assistant Instructor of Anthropology, New Mexico Highlands University

“I applaud [Bill’s] passion . . . The Red Planet gives important background on the origins of patriarchal policy that prioritizes domination and exploitation, as opposed to prioritizing the well-being of the planet and the acknowledgment of the sacred feminine.”—Dominique Naccarato, Lecturer, Clark School of Environment and Sustainability, Director of the Integrated Public Land Management Track, Western Colorado University

“[The Red Planet] is excellent . . . As an anthropologist, I particularly appreciated the emphasis on the cultural construction of gender roles, norms, and stereotypes. The author is skillful at holistically blending the historical…and [the] contemporary.”—Jaden Netwig, PhD, Professor of Anthropology, Arapahoe Community College

“I really enjoyed reading this book! It challenged ideologies from both sides while providing information on why, which I found very interesting and useful. The overarching understanding and detail about each topic made it much easier to comprehend the ideas behind each chapter.”—Avery Paull-McGurran, Geography student, Colorado Mountain College

“The Red Planet connects the history of gendered and violent inequalities to landscapes, physical geographies, practices of food sourcing, valuation of metals, spiritual practices and religiosity to name a few. Breaking from traditional analysis, The Red Planet provides an expansive view of gendered inequalities as woven throughout human evolution; adapting through space and place to demonstrate how gendered violence is not natural, but a product of human socialization and culture.”—Heidi Schneider, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, Inclusive Excellence Liaison, Adams State University

“The Red Planet is a meaningful contribution to the social sciences of storytelling. This is an accessible inquiry into the tales that are common to various cultures and thoughtful commentary on the hegemonic nature of these stories. This book is a creative blend of folklore and cultural critique, and it makes a strong argument for Gendered Landscapes Theory. This is a useful text for students, scholars, and intellectuals that take interest in the role of stories in human cultures and societal norms.”—Patrick W. Staib, PhD, Professor and Chair of Social Sciences, Colorado Mountain College

“This book was very fascinating and helped me remember how much I enjoy social sciences such as sociology and psychology. It reminded me of Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel, but on an adjacent topic, and more focused and nuanced.”—Parker Stein, Geography student, Colorado Mountain College

“The Red Planet taught me to be proud that I am a woman. No matter how the media, religions or others’ opinions say, I am not weak because of my gender, I know that I am strong and I am just as capable as anyone else. I learned so much about myself and other cultures and beliefs. The Red Planet made me feel validated and heard. I really enjoyed this book and seriously can’t wait for the hard copy to come out. I will definitely be reading this again.”—Andi Stephenson, Geography student, Pikes Peak State College

“I really enjoyed reading The Red Planet. This book doesn’t try to change your mind but presents statements of fact as they are in our history. If we are to evoke change and be a better species then this book is a good guide to learning how to get on a path to change a mindset.”—Josephine Trenkler, Geography student, Pikes Peak State College