Audiobook8 hours
Meathooked: The History and Science of Our 2.5-Million-Year Obsession with Meat
Written by Marta Zaraska
Narrated by Emily Durante
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
One of the great science and health revelations of our time is the danger posed by meat-eating. Every day, it seems, we are warned about the harm producing and consuming meat can do to the environment and our bodies. Many of us have tried to limit how much meat we consume, and many of us have tried to give it up altogether. But it is not easy to resist the smoky, cured, barbecued, and fried delights that tempt us. What makes us crave animal protein, and what makes it so hard to give up? And if consuming meat is truly unhealthy for human beings, why didn't evolution turn us all into vegetarians in the first place?
In Meathooked, science writer Marta Zaraska explores what she calls the "meat puzzle": our love of meat, despite its harmful effects. Zaraska takes us on a witty tour of meat cultures around the word, stopping in India's unusual steakhouses, animal sacrifices at temples in Benin, and labs in the Netherlands that grow meat in petri dishes. From the power of evolution to the influence of the meat lobby, and from our genetic makeup to the traditions of our foremothers, she reveals the interplay of forces that keep us hooked on animal protein.
In Meathooked, science writer Marta Zaraska explores what she calls the "meat puzzle": our love of meat, despite its harmful effects. Zaraska takes us on a witty tour of meat cultures around the word, stopping in India's unusual steakhouses, animal sacrifices at temples in Benin, and labs in the Netherlands that grow meat in petri dishes. From the power of evolution to the influence of the meat lobby, and from our genetic makeup to the traditions of our foremothers, she reveals the interplay of forces that keep us hooked on animal protein.
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Reviews for Meathooked
Rating: 3.933333333333333 out of 5 stars
4/5
15 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Really well written and creates a well round theory of why we just can't seem to stop eating meat.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The subject is too serious for such a shallow treatment. I think I learned some interesting things, e.g., * in Korea, dogs are pets and meat. The breed determines the function* Ag-gag laws are directed not only at punishing undercover filming, but also at limiting public pronouncements (kind of like gun-gag laws).* All those worries about making sure that vegetarians get a complete protein at every meal were unfounded. Our bodies can manage to combine our amino acids as appropriate.* ....
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An introspective look at the way that meat affects our past, present, and future.
This turned out to be a lot different than what I had imagined this book to be about. And that's a good thing. Marta Zaraska is very adept at providing an in depth look at the history of meat in our culture, and not just it's positive and negative effects in our world today. There's a lot of scientific fact behind her writing, which helps emphasize her point. However, I would be curious to learn more about the sources she used, simply out of curiosity.
Don't be turned off from this is you love meat. I like to eat meat, and frankly there wasn't any startling revelations for me after reading this book, as I already try to eat less meat in my daily life. I don't see myself going completely vegetarian any time soon, I am aware of the health effects that too much meat (really, too much of anything. Even water!) has on the human body. This book may not be for everyone, especially those who are particularly "meathooked," as in they can't enjoy a meal if it doesn't have that quintessential umami taste. But try reading (or listening) to this anyway. You might learn something new. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finding a book that is both entertaining and educational is a joy! Ms. Zaraska has done very thorough research and been meticulous in her citations, leaving no doubts about whether this is fact or just the opinion of someone with an agenda. She covers all aspects of the title subject in an easy to understand way, explaining the science so anyone can understand. She manages to do this in such a subtle manner you never suspect you are being taught a thing. Very, very readable and I highly recommend this book. If you are a Mary Roach fan, you are sure to enjoy this also.