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Lesser Beasts: A SnouttoTail History of the Humble Pig,Used
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Unlike other barnyard animals, which pull plows, give eggs or milk, or grow wool, a pig produces only one thing: meat. Incredibly efficient at converting almost any organic matter into nourishing, delectable protein, swine are nothing short of a gastronomic godsendyet their flesh is banned in many cultures, and the animals themselves are maligned as filthy, lazy brutes.As historian Mark Essig reveals in Lesser Beasts, swine have such a bad reputation for precisely the same reasons they are so valuable as a source of food: they are intelligent, selfsufficient, and omnivorous. Whats more, he argues, we ignore our historic partnership with these astonishing animals at our peril. Tracing the interplay of pig biology and human culture from Neolithic villages 10,000 years ago to modern industrial farms, Essig blends culinary and natural history to demonstrate the vast importance of the pig and the tragedy of its modern treatment at the hands of humans. Pork, Essig explains, has long been a staple of the human diet, prized in societies from Ancient Rome to dynastic China to the contemporary American South. Yet pigs ability to track down and eat a wide range of substances (some of them distinctly unpalatable to humans) and convert them into edible meat has also led people throughout history to demonize the entire species as craven and unclean. Todays unconscionable system of factory farming, Essig explains, is only the latest instance of humans taking pigs for granted, and the most recent evidence of how both pigs and people suffer when our symbiotic relationship falls out of balance.An expansive, illuminating history of one of our most vital yet unsung food animals, Lesser Beasts turns a spotlight on the humble creature that, perhaps more than any other, has been a mainstay of civilization since its very beginningswhether we like it or not.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Lesser Beasts: A Snout-to-Tail History of the Humble Pig'? A: 'Lesser Beasts' explores the historical relationship between humans and pigs, highlighting the pig's importance as a food source and its often misunderstood reputation throughout history.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Lesser Beasts' is Mark Essig, a historian known for blending culinary and natural history.
- Q: What are the key topics covered in the book? A: The book covers the biology of pigs, their role in human culture from ancient times to modern industrial farming, and the ethical considerations surrounding their treatment.
- Q: How many pages does 'Lesser Beasts' have? A: 'Lesser Beasts' has a total of 320 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: 'Lesser Beasts' is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: When was 'Lesser Beasts' published? A: 'Lesser Beasts' was published on May 5, 2015.
- Q: Is this book suitable for people interested in history? A: Yes, 'Lesser Beasts' is categorized under History and provides a deep dive into the historical significance of pigs.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations? A: Yes, this edition of 'Lesser Beasts' is illustrated.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: 'Lesser Beasts' is sold in new condition.
- Q: What makes this book unique compared to other history books about animals? A: 'Lesser Beasts' uniquely focuses on the symbiotic relationship between humans and pigs, emphasizing the pig's overlooked contributions to civilization and the consequences of modern farming practices.