A thought=provokinig and engaging read on a topic you might not expect to be so much so!
Morgan-Grenville uses his past experience and ability to well-research a topic to present how cows have been and are used by man - and makes the reader question how sustainable it all is at the scale and with the approach it uses currently.
He balances his arguments well, and this book should be much more popular than what it is (by that I mean I have seen no one else talk about it).

I came to Taking Stock as a vegetarian as I wondered what a man writing about cows could possibly write that could be unbiased. Interestingly, RGM had written a wide ranging book covering many aspects of food production and that includes a lot of compassion for the cows that make up the vast majority of cows that go through the industrial meat process (compassion too for the chickens, pigs and sheep that find themselves in the same industry). He is a great advocate of Real Farming and traceable meat and I happen to 100% agree.

I became a vegetarian because I did not, even 36 years ago, trust the majority of the meat on offer as its provenance was unproven and so I could not ensure that the meat for sale was not contaminated with all sorts of things that I would not voluntarily consume.

Just one of the things missing from his excellent narrative is that virtually all of RGM's suggestions are in regard to changing meat eating habits but he pays little to no real attention to all of the parts of a cow (parts of chickens, pigs and sheep too) that are treated as waste and which from a real farm animal are excellent eating. I suspect that he left them out to appeal to a bigger audience who only recognise meat as something that does not look like something they have inside themselves, keeping them alive.

The précis of the above is that this book is a very worthwhile read whether you be carnivore, veggie or vegan as there is a lot to learn from this easy to read, very insightful and informative book. Buy it, read it, digest it and then I wonder what you will do next.

This is a really interesting and insightful read and something I would recommend for anyone to read. Most of us are very disconnected from the land and animals. How the land, animals and farmers serve us and feed us, which is why i think this is such an important topic.

A really interesting, well-researched and insightful look into the impact of cows on our food chain, industrial processes and the future of agriculture.

I enjoyed learning the history of the animal and learning about the remaining cattle and dairy farms across the UK and US directly through the author's conversations with farm owners and cowmen. This was done well I think -- it's always good in non-fiction to read other POVs, otherwise the author's continuous monologue can become a little boring and self-indulgent. This kept me engaged by visiting different people and different places, from dairies and abattoirs to tanneries and belt-makers.

As a vegetarian this was perhaps even more interesting to read than had I still been a meat-eater. Hearing the arguments for a continued meat diet were interesting, as the author (and his research) proposes meat-eating within moderation and taking into account the welfare and diet of the cattle before consuming.

Knocked a star off for the somewhat clunky phrasing and very long chapters -- tighter editing would make this an incredibly engaging and accessible read for anyone interested in cows, the food industry and sustainable farming.

Nevertheless, lots of food for thought (pardon the pun) 🐮

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review

A really great look into cows, and the degrading that has led to such an easy removal of animals who do so much for the human population.

This book is such a great reminder for people to take a step back and think about the role of living animals around us in the world. Cows are so easily dismissed by people of our generator.

I requested to read this book about cows as I grow up around them and found them very interesting and this book has given me more of a insight into cows.

I can’t wait to buy this book when it comes out and I would highly recommend this book to anyone you won’t be disappointed by it at all.

Thank you So very much NetGalley for letting me reading this I appreciate it

A really refreshing look into cows, and the objectification that has led to such an easy dismissal of animals who do so much for humanity.

A great reminder to take a step back and really reconsider the role of living animals around us, also some really great facts included!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

A very readable title on what could be a dry subject. There's a good mix of personal anecdotes and factual information which is well-referenced.
I learnt a lot about cattle and their place in products in our lives, and also the future of cattle farming and the issues that are to be faced.
A good title for library collections, especially those in rural areas.

First of all thank you to Net Galley for giving me this opportunity. 

I picked this book based on the cover image, I mean who could resist it? I also have a love of cows, having grown up in rural Wales I would often spot them grazing in the fields close to where I would live and on occasion would go over for a chat. 

So far I am only a short way into the book (10% ish) and I have already learnt so much in relation to their history and evolution. 

I think the prologue of this book deserves a special mention as I found it absolutely fascinating - it takes you through a normal a high street and all the places where cows and their by-products are used in everyday life. I never realised I owed so much to one animal! 

I am looking forward to reading more of this book as it is truly an education!  

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