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Review of "The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food"
While on vacation last week I finished reading the book titled "The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food," by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. While I went into the book figuring I probably knew just about everything that was in it, I still wanted to check it out. I like to keep up on books such as this and I usually find a few tidbits of information that I haven't read elsewhere.
I liked Masson's writing style throughout the book. It's very conversational and holds the reader's interest. I did read a few things that were new to me and that I found quite interesting. For starters, on page 101 he writes:
"...Americans consume about 22,000 animals in their lifetime. So, if people engage in Meatless Monday's, they would probably save the lives of over 3,000 animals."
I read that section over several times and then talked about it for several more days. I really found it shocking when it is all put into numbers like this. I think this is such a powerful statement in the book. It made me think of so many things, such as:
- Can people who eat meat really claim to be animal lovers and yet ultimately be responsible for the death of 22,000 of them?
- How great would it be if everyone gave up eating meat at a minimum of one or two days per week (although every day of the week is so much more ideal). So many animals would be saved at this rate.
- I am personally saving so many animals over the years, how cool is that?!
- Wow, 22,000 animals? Wow! That's a lot!
There was one section that I especially appreciated in this book, that I hadn't come across in others of its kind, and that was on denial. He has dedicated a whole chapter on discussing how those eating meat are in denial about the damage and bloodshed they are causing. It's a very good chapter and should not be missed.
"The Face on Your Plate" is a well-researched and well written book, and not to mention that I also love the title. It offers some things that most vegetarians are already aware of, but it also offered some fresh information and a new approach to presenting it. I absolutely believe it is worth reading, whether you are a long-time vegan, vegetarian or are new to the topic. You can check out a video of the author giving a talk about the book here.
While you are at it, check out this short video on Masson explaining why he's a vegan:
