Learning about animal rights - books??

[Bobsy]

Does anyone have any recommendations about books to get me started on the reasonings, theories and such like behind animal rights?

I know little about the theories other than my gut reaction that I want animals to be protected, but at some point I'd like to get more in depth into the arguments, the hard-to-resolve issues, etc. just so I can form some more solid, informed opinions. Less the books about veg*nism, but more animal experimentation, the legal implications of 'rights' for animals, etc.

I have too many books to read already and I'm sure my bf will kill me if I bring any more into the house :p Any ideas though?

[Sevenseas]

I haven't read this one, but I would still recommend it :) : Gary Francione - Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1566396921/qid=1081958442/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2649867-1332865?v=glance&s=books)

It seems to be a good, easy-to-read introduction. (And of course, he questions the "argument" the title refers to.)

[thebelovedtree]

Animal Liberation is still the best AR book I've ever read

[Sevenseas]

I'd like to nitpick that Singer's Animal Liberation is not an animal rights book per se, since he doesn't believe in the rights of animals - he believes in counting similar interests similarly in consequential consideration.

[thebelovedtree]

and nitpicking you would be :) lol.
but isn't equal consideration the whole point of animal rights?

[Dr. Schmeebis]

Empty Cages: Facing the Challenge of Animal Rights, Tom Regan

[Alfiedog]

I read a really good one . . . The Scalpel and the Butterfly:The War Between Animal Research and Animal Protection.

It gives a concise history of the animal rights movement and anti-vivesection argument. It's a fascinating read. However, you do realize that the author is pro-animal testing when you read between the lines.

Here are some reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0374254206/qid=1081962842/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5022295-6279052?v=glance&s=books

[Sevenseas]

but isn't equal consideration the whole point of animal rights?

I'd say 'no'. I see moral rights as barriers that protect an individual and create moral obligations for other individuals not to violate these rights. Rights also protect individuals from the interests of the many.

This means that even if some huge group of people benefited from killing me, it wouldn't be justified - my right to life would ethically protect me against those people killing me.

The ethical theory Singer is in favor of (preference utilitarianism), on the other hand, could condone this killing, provided that it had the best consequences. Singer would count all the preferences of the people wanting to kill me and then count my preference not to be killed, and then aggregate the result.

Singer himself has been quite explicit in denouncing that he would talk about rights.

[Martin]

Animals' Rights, by Henry Salt, an animal rights book from the 19th century.
The Case for Animal Rights, by Tom Regan.
Defending Animal Rights, by Tom Regan.
In Defense of Animals, article collection edited by Peter Singer.

Some links:
Peter Singer Links (http://www.petersingerlinks.com/)
Tom Regan Animal Rights Archive (http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/arights/)
Hugh LaFollette (http://www.etsu.edu/philos/faculty/hugh.htm)

[skarrlett]

You Can Save the Animals (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761516735/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-5783019-7294568?v=glance)

Free The Animals (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1930051220/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-5783019-7294568?v=glance)

Mad Cowboy (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684854465/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-5783019-7294568?v=glance)

http://www.petabookstore.com/

[Bobsy]

Thanks guys :) That's really helpful!

Last night I started reading a book I bought at a library sale a while ago called 'Animal Welfare and the Environment', published by the RSPCA. I didn't have high hopes for it, but when I looked closer it's actually a collection of essays (including essays from Tom Regan and Peter Singer) about the problems that have arisen between the animal movement and the environmental movement and also within the movements (e.g. between animal rights and animal welfare). Interesting stuff :)

Thanks again for the recommendations. Sevenseas and more recently Dr. Schmeebis, you've both been saying things that have made me want to look into the issues in more depth. :)

[Minoesj]

For me the two best AR books for the moment are :
Animal Liberation (http://animalsuffering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=779) by Peter Singer
In Defense of Animals (http://animalsuffering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=780) edited by Peter Singer

Link :
Animal Rights Books directory (http://animalsuffering.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=49)
Feel free in adding listings or giving comments to excisting listings.

[Jennifer]

I just got through reading the book "Slaughterhouse, the shocking story of greed, neglect and inhumane treatment inside the US Beef Industry" by Gail Eisnitz. This books holds nothing back on what happens in the Slaughterhouse, there were several times that I had to put the book down and gp puke :spew: It would make an Onmi sick to read how these Animals are killed and treated during the slaughter process.
I dont know if you would say that this is a True Animal Rights book or not. The Author never states weather she is a Vegetarian or not but she doesn't make refrence to herself eating meat eaither. Also this book is more on getting more humane laws for the Slaughterhouse and it goes into how the workers are mistreated and how statisticly workers who work in a slaughterhouse tend to be more vilolant at home. It goes on to say how Slaughterhouse Jobs are one of the most dangerous Jobs in America.
In any case I'm glad I read it. Even after being Veggie for two years and Vegan for almost a year, It has made me look at the meat on a persons plate a lot diffrently.
I was wondering if anyone else has read this book and what their opinions were on it?

[vggiegirl]

I just got through reading the book "Slaughterhouse, the shocking story of greed, neglect and inhumane treatment inside the US Beef Industry" by Gail Eisnitz.
I was wondering if anyone else has read this book and what their opinions were on it?


I have it. I just got it about a month ago but haven't started it yet. I am excited to read it!


Bobsy: I would suggest Animal Liberation as well. That was the final straw between that and Meet your Meat that made me go veg overnight, 8 years ago.

[JBCohn]

I just finished "Free The Animals" by Ingrid Newkirk of PETA. It was a fabulous read. I cried at some points in the book but it renewed my fervor over animal rights. It's all about the foundation of the American wing of the ALF (Animal Liberation Front). It's pretty profound reading. :book:

Julie