If Pigs Could Talk: The Case for a Plant-Based Diet

by Roger Gloss

“Animal agriculture” is the all-encompassing name for the industry that produces the meat, dairy products, eggs, and fish we consume. Today most animal products come to us from large corporate factory farms. More than ever before, we are disconnected from the food we eat and how it is produced.
In If Pigs Could Talk, author Roger Gloss exposes the destructive impacts of animal agriculture on global climate, land, water, treatment of animals, labor, and human health. In this modern era of climate crisis, animal agriculture practices are simply unsustainable. This slim book is a short course on meat and dairy production and their ill effects, as well as a concise, positive argument for humans to convert to a plant-based diet, and how to get started. Gloss brings all of the key points together in an engaging and compelling narrative.
Even if you’ve never entertained the notion of changing your diet, let alone becoming a vegetarian or vegan, try this book. For a minimal investment of your time, you may find there is a better way to live in harmony with our natural environment and with greater compassion for all living beings.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2017

About the author

Roger Gloss grew up in East Aurora, New York. He left the eastern U.S. to attend UCLA, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He then settled in Southern California and has lived there since with his wife Linda. Together they raised two daughters, as well as one cat and a number of small dogs. They were also privileged to live in The Netherlands for more than a year. Now retired from a 45-year career in information technology, Roger spends his time writing literary fiction, supporting progressive causes, and struggling to raise awareness of climate change and our fragile natural environment.

Although proud of his upstate New York roots, Roger considers it the highest privilege to be a Californian, and he loves the landscape of the Southwest. In his younger years he was an avid runner, logging 25,000 miles in 25 years, as well as a series of impressive finish times in the half marathon. He has also backpacked in such impressive terrain as Grand Canyon, Catalina Island, the Sierra Nevada, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Rainbow Bridge, Canyonlands National Park and the Grand Tetons. His five hiking excursions to the Swiss Alps weren’t bad either.

Roger still enjoys travel, the outdoors, an active lifestyle, and reading fiction and history. He has written two novels: Compared to What (August 2009) and Third Wind (April 2014).

Visit his website at RogerGloss.com.

Reviews

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

My rating isn't low because of any disagreement with the actual facts that the author is trying to present, but this book is frustrating.

I can't tell if it's meant to be for someone who has no idea at all about animal agriculture and/or climate change or for someone who already has an understanding. It might be better for the first, if the reader doesn't mind information not being sourced as it is presented. For claims like what is in this book, especially involving numbers, it's important to put citations... and "I've sourced them carefully, primarily from the books under 'Recommended Reading and Viewing' at the end of this book" does not strike very much confidence in me. This information could much more easily be taken as truth as it is read if the sources were listed along with the information, not at the end of the book. The first chapter is entirely pages of statistics without any citations and every chapter following that is similar even when they're not as number-heavy.

I also feel like it would have been more interesting to introduce the people referenced, why they're relevant, and then introduce actual quotes. To someone who is being exposed to this information for the first time, Howard Lyman and Cowspiracy don't mean a thing and the very short quotes and descriptions related don't strike a chord. Temple Grandin has been so heavily involved in several aspects of animal welfare auditing that are mentioned in this book, but she is only mentioned as having to do with one and in a very negative light.

I understand that this is a short book. I don't think it would have made it painful to read or write if it was longer and I truly believe that even one or two more pages per chapter could have given context to make information that obviously was important to the author more heavy-hitting and to give space for citations.

To someone who doesn't care about anything I've mentioned above, maybe this book could change their minds about some things, but I can see those issues dissuading others from ever looking deeper into what the author is writing about. Making a case for something requires strong evidence and strong sources that are not otherwise taken out of context.

[Samantha Leggat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly succinct and informative. As a former vegetarian, I am now vegan. I've read many and watched several ghastly documentaries - some wonder why I'd do that, subject myself to the horrible information and shockingly cruel footage. It's because I want to be a better human, a better resident of this earth.

So all the books I've read over the years resulted in my vegetarianism. This one and others, along with others like Animal Liberation, Ethics into Action and In Defense of Animals by the amazing Peter Singer, and movies like Cowspiracy, Live and Let Live, and Vegucated, turned me vegan. For good - meaning with respect for my fellow creatures - and forever.

This book sums up so many reasons we should switch to a plant-based diet, including such topics as preservation of land and water, pollution reasons, climate change, labor mistreatment, and health. It also provides great insight on what to eat (avoid becoming a pasta glutton), as well as hard cold facts and numbers that result from the meat industry (70 billion land animals are killed globally for food annually, 660 gallons of water are required to produce one hamburger, and on and on).

If you have a desire to educate yourself more and make a change for good, read this book. It will take you maybe one night.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book about the way Animal Agricultural is killing our planet and hurting our bodies. Gives great facts about how it’s affecting our planet and what needs to be done so we don’t kill off our own species just to consume meat and dairy. Definitely made me see more ways I can help our planet and animals

[Gaurav Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relatively short read and nails it on covering all the important aspects of industry farming - Sustainability, environment, inhumane practices, ethics, health and nutrition. Pick your cause and go with it and you'll end up in the same spot - adopting a plant-based diet.

[Jb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and enlightening book for those who are concerned about our way of life. There are many ways for us to make our planet more livable and the author discusses some of these issues. The book is short and full of good information.

[Hollie Sloboda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-Opening!

This was a great reality check that I was in dire need of. Well-written, just enough detail to motivate, without being over the top. Amazing.