Good "first book" on AR?

[beforewisdom]

What is a good first book to give someone to introduce them to AR?

I was thinking of something light on abstract philosophy and light on gruesome pictures.

Suggestions?

[kpickell]

what about The Pig Who Sang to the Moon? I haven't read it yet, but it might fit that description.

[mountainvegan]

IMO, it depends on what their background / worldview currently is.

For the religious: Dominion by Matthew Scully. I haven't read this, but I've heard / read excellent reviews on it.

For the nonreligious: Empty Cages by Tom Regan or Animals Like Us by Mark Rowlands. Both are easy reads and don't get too involved in the nasty details, but discuss them enough so the reader has at least a vague sense that there might be a serious problem in humanity's cruel treatment.

[RichJW]

beforewisdom,

The Pig Who Sang to the Moon (Jeffrey Masson) would be a good choice. From an AR perspective it is useful for anybody interested in understanding "why" animals should be seen and treated as intrinsically valuable things (i.e. they are important in themselves) rather than treated instrumentally (i.e. as a means to an end - useful only in proportion to their contribution to the well-being of humans).

By giving farm(ed) animals centre stage, and trying to make sense of the world from the great depths of emotion suggested by their actions and attitudes, the book literally gives a tantalising glimpse into a whole new and beautiful world. Masson follows this through to its logical conclusion and argues that people should live as harmoniously with their fellow animals as possible. Inevitably, and quite properly, he promotes the vegetarian/ vegan way of life (though he admits it is more difficult to put one's words into actions) as being a huge step in the right direction.

For an provocative review of the book, which itself raises up some very interesting ideas more generally, see the following: Nasty, Brutish and Short (B.R. Myers) (http://www.powells.com/review/2004_04_06.html)

I'd also echo mountainvegan's excellent suggestions, and would add "Animal Theology" by Andrew Linzey to that list.

Richard

[RichJW]

For one of the most poignant and powerful books though read Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust by Charles Patterson.

see link: Eternal Treblinka (http://www.powerfulbook.com/)

[bad]

hmmm what was that book that peter singer wrote?(is that how you spell his name?) its aprently consider the "animal rights bible"? i haven't read it and right now the name escapes me but it sounds good.

[peace]

hmmm what was that book that peter singer wrote?(is that how you spell his name?) its aprently consider the "animal rights bible"? i haven't read it and right now the name escapes me but it sounds good.

Animal Liberation. It was written in the 1970's and was one of the first popular books to examine and question the widespread industry abuses in society. Some of the material is out-of-date, so you may prefer a more modern work such as EMPTY CAGES, which also addresses common questions about the cause in general--not just what is done to the animals. However, AL has offered many, many people their first introduction to animal advocacy.

[kpickell]

"Animal Liberation" is too dry for a good "first book", unless you're already sympathetic to the cause.

[eakern]

I think Chris DeRose's "In Your Face" would be a "first good book". It is an easy read and should appeal to anyone's sense of injustice who is interested in the AR movement. It's my first book and I loved it ! I like the way he explains his gradual involvment in AR and how that evolved in to direct action.