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Oh My Goat!: Just how intelligent are the animals we eat?
Just how intelligent are the animals we call food?
Have you ever stared at a steak, peered at a pork chop or glanced at a goat curry and wondered about that animal? Where did it come from, and how was it raised? Did that creature think, play, dream, or have feelings? Or was it simply a mindless creature destined for the dinner plate? " Oh, My Goat " takes a rollicking adventure through the history of how we have viewed, judged, treated, sacrificed, mummified, deified and – fried animals. Blending science, history, and humour, this book exposes the uncomfortable realities of modern factory farming — from towering hog hotels to chickens that grow so fast they fall over — and challenges the idea that these animals are simply products.
Wild animals currently make up only 4% of Earth’s mammalian biomass, with livestock dominating the rest. This sheds light on the importance of how we treat the animals we call “food”. From the psychology of pigs, the social lives of sheep, and the cognitive powers of chickens, Gehlert reveals surprising research that shows just how much we share — biologically, cognitively and emotionally with the animals in our farms and on our forks.
How much meat? Unbelievably, our love affair with meat may well have brought about the “Meatropocene”, a term Gehlert coined to describe the profound impact the 360 million tons of meat we produce and consume each year has on our planet. But far from a guilt trip, the author invites us to look closer, think deeper, and make more informed choices. Whether you're a meat-eater, flexitarian, vegetarian, or just curious, Oh My Goat will challenge how you view the creatures behind your cuisine.
Have you ever stared at a steak, peered at a pork chop or glanced at a goat curry and wondered about that animal? Where did it come from, and how was it raised? Did that creature think, play, dream, or have feelings? Or was it simply a mindless creature destined for the dinner plate? " Oh, My Goat " takes a rollicking adventure through the history of how we have viewed, judged, treated, sacrificed, mummified, deified and – fried animals. Blending science, history, and humour, this book exposes the uncomfortable realities of modern factory farming — from towering hog hotels to chickens that grow so fast they fall over — and challenges the idea that these animals are simply products.
Wild animals currently make up only 4% of Earth’s mammalian biomass, with livestock dominating the rest. This sheds light on the importance of how we treat the animals we call “food”. From the psychology of pigs, the social lives of sheep, and the cognitive powers of chickens, Gehlert reveals surprising research that shows just how much we share — biologically, cognitively and emotionally with the animals in our farms and on our forks.
How much meat? Unbelievably, our love affair with meat may well have brought about the “Meatropocene”, a term Gehlert coined to describe the profound impact the 360 million tons of meat we produce and consume each year has on our planet. But far from a guilt trip, the author invites us to look closer, think deeper, and make more informed choices. Whether you're a meat-eater, flexitarian, vegetarian, or just curious, Oh My Goat will challenge how you view the creatures behind your cuisine.
295 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2025
About the author
Shane Gehlert
1 bookShane Gehlert is an artist, photographer, and filmmaker who found his passion for academia later in life by pursuing a degree in psychology. His love for travel and a deep fascination with animals has taken him all over the world, where he enjoys observing and photographing the incredible creatures with which we share this planet. Shane lives in Queensland, Australia, with his wife, Cristine, and a menagerie of rather spoilt animals.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 21, 2025
Gehlert IS the GOAT!
The subject matter of Oh My Goat! is both important and polarizing, and Shane Gehlert handles it brilliantly. He strikes the perfect balance between facts, storytelling, and humor—packaging everything into a blend that is both entertaining and educational.
This book challenged my own beliefs and had me reflecting long after I put it down. It’s incredibly thought-provoking, especially around the dilemma of feeling empathy toward all life while still trying to justify eating within the food chain. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to confront these questions in a palatable and enjoyable way. And a special mention—the artworks are absolutely brilliant.
The subject matter of Oh My Goat! is both important and polarizing, and Shane Gehlert handles it brilliantly. He strikes the perfect balance between facts, storytelling, and humor—packaging everything into a blend that is both entertaining and educational.
This book challenged my own beliefs and had me reflecting long after I put it down. It’s incredibly thought-provoking, especially around the dilemma of feeling empathy toward all life while still trying to justify eating within the food chain. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to confront these questions in a palatable and enjoyable way. And a special mention—the artworks are absolutely brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review