Meat: A Benign Extravagance

Fairlie, Simon

ISBN 10: 1856230554 / ISBN 13: 9781856230551

Published by Permanent Publications, 2010

About this Item

signed inscription from the author on the front end paper, 322 pages. Seller Inventory # 023572

Bibliographic Details

Title: Meat: A Benign Extravagance

Publisher: Permanent Publications

Publication Date: 2010

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Near Fine

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

Meat: A Benign Extravagance is an exploration of the difficult environmental, ethical and health issues surrounding the human consumption of animal flesh. It lays out in detail the reasons why we must decrease the amount of meat we eat, both for the planet and for ourselves and explores how different forms of agriculture shape our landscape and culture. At the heart of this book, Simon Fairlie argues that society needs to reorientate itself back to the land, both physically and spiritually and explains why an agriculture that can most readily achieve this is one that includes a measure of livestock farming. Simon is an authoritative author writing about one of the key food and farming issues of the moment. This book demands the interest of the public and media alike and is a major contribution to a debate that is sure to run and run.

Review:

Meat, animals and dairy have been in the firing line for so long that in some circles, the assumption is taken for granted that there is no case, ever, anywhere, to be made for the role of animals in farming, landcare or diet. This book by Simon Fairlie is a wonderful and challenging correction. As a former Welsh Black breeder who farmed upland wet English hills but who gave up meat years ago (but takes dairy produce), I found this book a riveting read. As an academic who grapples with what land is for and what a sustainable diet might be, I assure you that this book is essential reading. Fairlie's beautifully written, practical yet erudite book covers the terrain that policy-makers now realise needs to be addressed. Fairlie makes the case for not throwing the baby out with the bath water or should that be don't demonise the animal before you know its function and value? --Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City University London

No-one has ever analysed the world's food and agriculture more astutely than Simon Fairlie - an original thinker and a true scholar. Here he shows that while meat is generally a luxury it is often the best option, and could always be turned to advantage if only we did things properly; but this, with present economic policies and legal restrictions, is becoming less and less possible. Everyone should read this book especially governments, and all campaigners. --Colin Tudge, Biologist and author

This book is a masterpiece: original, challenging and brilliantly argued. Simon Fairlie is a great thinker and a great writer. --George Monbiot, Environmental and political activist, author and journalist