Publishers Weekly
03/11/2024
Sociologist Guilbeault (Habits of Inequality), who cut animal products out of her diet following her grandfather’s death from cancer, considers whether there’s “truly an ethical way to eat” in her ho-hum account of veganism’s past and future. She examines several facets of the vegan movement in hopes of discovering what a “just, nourishing, and equitable food system could look like.” Surveying the burgeoning vegan food tech industry, Guilbeault visits the headquarters of Wildtype, which produces fish “grown from animal cells in a laboratory,” and Beyond Meat, which makes fake meat products out of plants. These companies pose ethical conundrums, the author contends: they often still rely on “our current commodity crop system, in which crops are grown with chemical fertilizers, sprayed with herbicides, and then heavily processed.” On the other hand, Guilbeault champions regenerative agriculture, a new philosophy of pesticide-free and carbon-sequestering soil-health management, which she argues is compatible with veganism since both philosophies take factory farming as an enemy. While Guilbeault offers some entertaining historical context for the vegan movement and plenty of personal insight, her conclusions are often underwhelming (“If there’s one takeaway from this book, it’s that no matter which food system we choose, trade-offs are inevitable”). Despite the author’s best intentions, this fails to make a splash. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
A vegan sociologist's remarkably open-minded exploration of the historical, ethical, health, environmental, and social justice implications of not eating meat. Guilbeault's extensive research and interviews get right into the tough questions about this movement, leaving us free to choose for ourselves whether to eat this way.” —Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, emerita, New York University, and author of FOOD POLITICS
“Nina Guilbeault is the consummate guide to modern veganism. With grace and rigor, she presents a compelling case for a more conscious and sustainable way to answer the question of what might be for dinner tomorrow.” —Raj Patel, coauthor of INFLAMED
“Guilbeault's clear and relatable writing style makes these complex topics easy to digest and enjoyable to read.” —Melanie Joy, PhD, author of WHY WE LOVE DOGS, EAT PIGS, AND WEAR COWS
“Nina Guilbeault is a broadminded, whip-smart guide to some of the thorniest ethical problems involved in eating of any kind. The Good Eater is guaranteed to force reflection no matter how you fill your plate-even for those of us who will always keep a corner of it reserved for (grassfed) steak.” —Benjamin Lorr, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF GROCERIES
“A groundbreaking deep dive into the obstacles we face in creating a future food system that is both moral and sustainable-for animals, for the planet, and for the hungry humans who inhabit it. A must-read not just for vegans but for anyone who eats food.” —Nisha Vora, creator of Rainbow Plant Life
“I am grateful for this book that dares to stop and question some of the most popular assumptions and solutions in the vegan food space. It's critical we examine new approaches from every angle so we don't repeat the mistakes of history. The Good Eater is a start to reflecting deeper on how we can participate in 'making history' more effectively.” —Miyoko Schinner, entrepreneur, innovator, and author of THE HOMEMADE VEGAN PANTRY
“The Good Eater reminds us that what we eat plays a definitive role not only in our physical, but also our emotional and even spiritual well-being.” —John Mackey, cofounder and retired CEO of Whole Foods Market
“[Offers] entertaining historical context and plenty of personal insight.” —Publishers Weekly
