Book reviews

vegan

BOOK CLUB

BY EMILY COSTER

Livestock’ s Longer Shadow: Hope Lives in Kindness – Tim Bailey (with Dr. Alice Brough)

Regenesis : Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet –George Monbiot

From the bestselling author of Feral, Monbiot provides a breath-taking first glimpse of a new future for food and for humanity.

Farming is the world’ s greatest cause of environmental destruction – and the one we are least prepared to talk about. We criticise urban sprawl, but farming sprawls across thirty times as much land. We have ploughed, fenced and grazed great tracts of the planet, felling forests, killing wildlife and poisoning rivers and oceans to feed ourselves. Yet millions still go hungry!

But now, the food system itself is beginning to crumble as the soil itself loses fertility. Regenesis offers a new vision – a new future for food and humanity. Drawing on advances in soil ecology, Monbiot reveals how our changing understanding of the world beneath our feet could allow us to grow more food with less farming. We meet the people who understand this and are unlocking these methods, liberating the land from ploughs and poisons and pioneering new ways to grow protein and fat. They show how the tiniest life forms could help us make peace with the planet, restore its living systems, and replace the age of extinction with an age of regenesis. £20 One of the most important books of its kind since Ruth Harrison ’ s Animal Machines (1964), Livestock’ s Longer Shadow exposes how, from a UK perspective, we really treat animals, our health and our planet through the ways we farm and consume animals – and that most people are unaware of it.

Tim Bailey is an environmental scientist and prominent farm pollution expert and this farm-to-fork investigation digs deep to reveal the devastation that’ s being caused – but also provides us with a kinder, more compassionate, sustainable and healthier way forward.

In sounding the alarm on the impact of animal-based agriculture, Bailey relies on his 30-year experience of regulating the industry. Dr Alice Brough was an industry vet and contributed to Viva!’ s awardwinning documentary, Hogwood – a modern horror story. £22

Earthlings: The Beginning –Ray Star

This first book in Star ’ s Earthlings trilogy is a coming-of-age, hard-hitting fantasy fiction. The Earthlings ’ world is a dark and dangerous place – one that Vallaeartha, Peridot’ s mother, has tried to protect her from since birth. Young Peridot knows nothing of The Changing – the enslavement of humanity – nor that her family are of magick descent and can control earth, wind, fire, water and spirit. If Peridot can only learn how to control her magick gifts in time, she may be able to save the world. Star has a keen eye for detail and her descriptions of industrialised farming, in this world as well as her fictional one, are harrowing. Animal rights is at the heart of this trilogy and I’ m well and truly hooked. With book two, Dominion, due this summer, I will hopefully find out whether Peri can gain control of her Elemental, break free of her captors, save Euan and re-join the resistance! £8.99

BOSH! On A Budget –Henry Firth & Ian Theasby

Bosh! are at it again with their ultimate money-saving, plant-based cookbook! Henry and Ian know how to make outrageously tasty, super-satisfying food without breaking the bank, which is why they are Sunday Times ’ bestselling authors.

Over 100 delicious recipes that prove that great tasting food doesn ’t have to cost the earth – from hearty midweek dinners and comfort food feasts to indulgent brunches and unbelievably tasty treats. My favourites are the Indian spiced cauliflower wings and the right-good rice pud – delicious! £16.99