*received for free from netgalley for honest review* very interesting read, would want to read more books similar to get more facts but worth the read

This was a really great book with a new take on how we eat and how to sustain the world's food supply and ecosystem in the process.

This book is about the history of America's obsession with eating meat. It was an interesting read that covered everything from colonists to frozen tv dinners to the creation of plant-based meat substitutes.
The author stated in the beginning that he is a mostly plant-based flex eater. I was hoping to read more about his journey to making that change in his life, but he didn't really talk about it. He talked about struggles with his friends and family understanding his choices somedays, but not the path that got him to change his eating habits. All of the historical information was fascinating to read, but I do wish he had given more of his personal history that led to making the changes he did.
Also, the cover implies that there will be some focus on the environmental impacts of meat vs plant-based diets, and it is touched on a little, but not as much as I expected considering it is the subtitle of the book.

3.5 stars. Part memoir and part manifesto, this is interesting (if occasionally quite upsetting) reading, but while it clearly explored the history and laid out the problems with America's meat consumption, I had hoped for more practical guidance on how to reduce meat intake and create a more sustainable lifestyle. It's not that this wasn't well-written, and the author's points were well-supported, but I found myself impatient for discussion on what to actually DO about the problem.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This was not exactly what I was expecting, which was more of a positive pitch on why to eat less meat and strategies for doing so. This was based on the title, subtitle, and blurb. Instead it felt like the vast majority of the book focused on food history, why meat got big, why that’s bad, why alternatives aren’t perfect. Just wasn’t what I was expecting, and honestly having read The Omnivore’s Dilemma many years ago, didn’t feel like I got much out of this, aside from more current info on meat alternatives.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

This book was both inspiring and also knocked me blindside. I want so much to feel like what I eat is good for me but I feel a little discouraged by the system. This book is extremely eye opening.

The debate over meat consumption is complicated and heartfelt on both sides. On one hand, it's hard to give up the pleasure of eating a really good burger, but on the other, there are a lot of people who feel sad for the animal life that is cut short to provide the meat for that burger. Brian Kateman is the founder of the reducetarian movement, where the goal is not to obliterate meat consumption entirely, but rather to make meat healthier for us, more humane for the animals involved, and more sustainable for the planet.

Kateman looks at many of the different aspects of the meat industry. One of the things that was most interesting to me was his look at meat grown in a lab. This gives me the most hope for a humane meat industry. The animals don't need to be slaughtered, and people aren't forced to give up their sandwiches and such. No doubt it will be controversial as it becomes more available to the general public, but I was fascinated to read about how lab-grown meat has been developed so far and where the industry is hoping to go.

It might be good to note that as with most books that tackle the meat industry, there are descriptions of animals going to the slaughterhouse. I personally found these places difficult to read, and rightfully so. It is too easy to forget or be ignorant of the fact that a life was taken for me to eat dinner most nights. For anyone like me who is sensitive to animals being killed, just be cautious as you're reading this book.

Overall, this is a really helpful read for anyone who sees the need for changing their meat consumption. Kateman's philosophy is empowering to me because my family is not at the point where it would be easy to cut out meat entirely, but we can reduce the amount of meat that we eat and this is a good reminder that it's important to do so.

Thank you to Brian Kateman, Rowman & Littlefield, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publisher, NG for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. I didn't really like or dislike this book. I requested this book for reviewing because I am interested in food / cooking. This book ironically I think appeals more to those who already are inclined to give up meat. Personally, I am not one of those people, but I am someone who wants to eat better and understand nutrition better. I think this book was OK but not necessarily for those aims. Instead, I think this book is better suited for those interested in climate, sustainability, the food supply chain, agriculture, etc.

Well I wasn't quite expecting a book that tells me to eat more vegetables but I'll take the message. The author does explore the history of us becoming omnivores. While not the most interesting food history book I 'have read it was interesting to add to my repertoire of knowledge.