It took me just a few days to read the book "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows" by Melanie Joy, Ph.D. And that was in between everything else that I had on my plate that needed to be done. But I could not put this book down, seriously!

The book focuses on the psychological aspect of people eating animals, which Dr. Joy has coined "carnism." She then goes on to explain why it is that people can love some animals and eat others and how we live in a society that purposely protects people from knowing what really goes on with the entire "meat" industry.

There were a couple of things that I was particularly intrigued by, such as when she discussed the "food chain" that people always use as justification for eating animals. She points out that while humans put themselves at the top, a chain doesn't actually have a top! And if it did, carnivores would be at the top, not omnivores.

She also said something on page 106 that really resonated with me, when she was talking about vegetarians. She said that "They must live in a world where they are constantly bombarded by imagery and attitudes that offend their deepest sensibilities."

I also appreciated how on page 150 she discussed taking sides. Because animals rights really is about taking sides. Either you are against animal cruelty and will choose to stand up for what what is right, or you will turn away from it, even when you know something is wrong.

My only one criticism of the book is that in the end she encourages people to stop eating animals, and I think she should have left it at that. But she didn't, she also goes on to say that even reducing the amount of animals they eat is a good thing.

While in and of it self that is true, I think she made such a powerful message against eating them that her saying that was counterproductive to what the whole book and message was about. I think the masses who read this may just decrease their animal consumption, still choosing to shield themselves from the realities of carnism, rather than take her powerful message and go all the way. It's like she gave them an out at the end, or softened the blow, rather than hitting home the message of no longer participating in such a system.

If someone reads the book and comes to the conclusion that there is a problem with carnism, then just reducing animal consumption is not actually addressing the problem.

Overall, this book is a great read! If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend you do. Two thumbs way up!