"The Omnivore's Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves" by John Sanbonmatsu is a critique of our relationship with animals and meat consumption, challenging conventional wisdom about the ethics of eating animals.

It offers a philosophical examination of our relationship with animals in the food industry. Sanbonmatsu argues that killing and eating animals is unethical, regardless of whether they are "free range" or factory farmed. The book reframes the discussion from "sustainability" to existential and moral purpose, advocating for the abolition of the animal economy. It critiques the concept of "humane meat," arguing that it's always a contradiction in terms. The author challenges the idea that there are more ethical ways of consuming meat.

As an omnivore, I found this book challenging to read, as it presented a compelling case for abstaining from meat consumption. However, at times, Sanbonmatsu's argument felt somewhat condescending or dismissive, which detracted from the overall impact of his persuasive reasoning. Despite that, the book challenges the typical mindset of an omnivore, poses thought-provoking questions and compels one to consider giving up meat consumption.

As an environmental studies minor many years ago, I read Spring Snow and it was life changing. I altered my way of thinking about animals and how animals for food production are treated. I eliminated many things and significantly reduced others. This book makes quite the case for completely changing our animal food intake and takes you through a gut wrenching look, not only at how animals world-wide are treated, but a look in the mirror! What you buy is YOUR support of these industries and these terrible things will continue until we do something different. It’s time to stop turning a blind eye and be the change in the world.
This would be a good addition to college curriculum, especially environmental studies courses. However, I’d love to see a condensed version, more easily digestible to the general public. , This book may need a follow up book on… “What now/next?” A guidebook on practical ways people can reduce meat consumption culturally and throughout the entire FDA and educational systems. Physicians, dairy farms, farms, etc. will keep pushing to have their industries supported. So what then? Farmers will need a new/different job. People need to be educated in schools, homes, tv, etc. on vegetarian sustainability- how to grow food, cook food, enjoy food and really understand what and how to properly replace their typical meat-laden meals with those of equal (or more) protein-rich vegan or vegetarian options. I would not rely on soy as a replacement, because it causes disruption in hormones. To make the shift to vegetarianism, people need directives on HOW to shift, with the infrastructure to support it. Doctors and educators are still telling people to drink dairy milk. Shameful. we are not raising calves, we are raising humans. Thank you for this piece or literature and insightful piece of work.

I'm not convinced any single book will convince the world to go vegan, but this is one of the best cases made that I've encountered.

This is also a brutal read that I had to set aside several times. Sanbonmatsu doesn't mince words. In fact, the stereotypical vegan "overkill descriptions/visuals of violence" is present here, multiple times. I blurred over these parts.

The rest leaves me with a heavy heart. I don't want to know; I don't want to participate; and I don't deny reality. This is a thorough and gross account, with receipts, of humanity's general ill treatment of non-human animals from all fronts. Apologist arguments are broken down. Arguments in favour of veganism and against all else are made with persuasion and compelling examples. Consider that most of the worst viruses and diseases we've encountered are directly linked to how we associate and treat other animals, mostly needlessly, especially as we engineer more equal but nonviolent equivalents to meat and dairy. Sanbonmatsu covers old ground but goes a step further than most, such as by pointing out how "apologists for the meat economy credit our killing and eating of animals only with the achievements of civilization, never with its failures."

Not all arguments are problem-free. In one case, the author equates "meatless Mondays" and flexitarianism with "pledging not to be racist on Tuesdays." These are not equatable. Most of us don't live in societies where racism is socially acceptable (well, the US might be heading in that direction ... bleh). These critical mistakes annoyed me; such sloppy reasoning is likely to become a be-all, end-all target for naysayers.

Sanbonmatsu, unlike most, cites his sources and draws on a vast array of examples, but there's also some questionable information here. There's a section on animal communication. But some of this has been debunked or hotly questioned, like the abilities of Alex the African Grey parrot actually being a product of operant conditioning, aka learning by associating actions with "good" rewards or "bad" results.

Overall, this is a compelling account that introduced me to a lot of new material and ideas. That's why I'm bumping it up to a five-star read. That said, while I'm already on board, I'm struggling, and I think many others will be in the same boat. I worry that people will feel attacked and get defensive. Come in with an open heart and take it as information. Remember that, ultimately, we're all a product of the restrictions society places on us. People will change when the system changes. We can only do what we can do as individuals. But if you have the power to change the system or come together in a critical mass (before it's too late ...) then all the power to you.

The Omnivore's Deception is a thought-provoking and incisive read that challenges the widely accepted notion that there are ethical ways to consume animal meat, such as through free-range or small farm practices. From the very beginning, the book presents a compelling argument that critiques the ethics of eating animals, delving deeply into the moral, philosophical, and environmental implications of our dietary choices.

John Sanbonmatsu's exploration of these themes is not only informative but also philosophical, as he seeks to redefine the relationship between humans and animals. He provocatively questions the justifications that many of us use to rationalize consuming animal products, such as the belief that animals raised in humane conditions are ethically acceptable to eat. Through careful reasoning, he argues that all forms of meat production, no matter how small or "humane," are inherently unethical. This stance may be jarring to many readers, but it is rooted in a broader critique of our culture’s treatment of animals, which Sanbonmatsu frames as exploitative and deeply ingrained in societal structures.

A central theme of the book is the intersection of animal agriculture and climate change. Sanbonmatsu presents compelling arguments on how animal farming contributes significantly to environmental degradation, from deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions. By placing these issues front and center, he urges readers to reconsider not just the ethics of eating animals but also the impact of such choices on the planet. The book emphasizes that our collective responsibility extends beyond individual diets—it involves a fundamental shift in how we engage with the natural world and other sentient beings.

The philosophical approach to the topic is particularly well-executed. Sanbonmatsu critiques the traditional dualisms between humans and animals—often positioning humans as superior to the creatures we consume. By challenging this cultural norm, the author opens up a broader discussion about our moral obligations to animals and the planet. This intellectual framework is what makes The Omnivore’s Deception stand out; it’s not merely an argument against eating animals, but a philosophical exploration that touches on existential issues of morality, justice, and the interconnectedness of life.

For readers like myself, who have experimented with vegetarianism or are concerned about the environmental impact of meat consumption, this book provides invaluable insights. As someone who initially embraced vegetarianism for environmental reasons rather than for animal rights, I found Sanbonmatsu’s arguments about the ethical and environmental consequences of animal agriculture to be enlightening and eye-opening. His ability to tie together moral philosophy, climate change, and the realities of meat production allows readers to make more informed, conscious decisions about their eating habits.

While the book may be more suited for those already leaning toward vegetarianism, veganism, or environmental advocacy, it also serves as an educational resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the moral and ecological implications of meat consumption. The text can be dense at times, with philosophical discussions that may challenge even the most committed omnivore, but the substance and rigor of the arguments make it a worthwhile read for those who are ready to engage critically with these issues.

In conclusion, The Omnivore's Deception is a powerful and thought-provoking critique of our relationship with animals and the environmental costs of animal agriculture. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the deeper philosophical, ethical, and environmental dimensions of eating meat. Through its well-researched and passionately argued points, the book encourages readers to reconsider not just what they eat, but how they think about animals, the planet, and their place in the natural world.

This was a really interesting read that gave a good insite into the world of meat. Very educational and explained the reasoning for each fact.

If you are passionate about not eating animals or you want to really educate yourself on the topic, this book will be for you. If you're on the fence about it or just wanting to learn some facts, like me, this book is not for you. For me it was to aggressive and just walls of text with no real breaks. Even though the book wasn't for me, I can appreciate the work that went into writing it.

The Omnivore's Deception challenges the morality of eating animals, arguing that all forms of meat production, including "humane meat," are unethical. John Sanbonmatsu shifts the focus from sustainability to the deeper moral and existential issues surrounding animal agriculture, advocating for its complete abolition. Through philosophical insights and cultural critique, the book dismantles myths that justify meat consumption and redefines our relationship with animals, urging a reevaluation of how we live and eat.