Vegan & Animal Rights Books

Animal Equality: Language and Liberation by Joan Dunayer

From the Publisher: Speciesism (prejudice against nonhuman animals) survives through lies. Animal Equality's compelling evidence of nonhuman thought and emotion debunks language that characterizes other animals as unreasoning or insensitive. Vivid descriptions of hunting, sportfishing, zoos, aquaprisons, vivisection, and food-industry captivity and slaughter reveal the cruelty that misleading words legitimize and conceal. Animal Equality also uncovers the speciesist attitudes and practices underlying much racist and sexist language. Every animal nonhuman or human deserves equal consideration and protection, Joan Dunayer argues.

Animal Liberation by Peter Singer

Although Peter Singer, did not use the term "Animal Rights" in his first edition (and even initially ridiculed the notion of animal rights), this b'ook is arguably the book that started the Animal Rights and Liberation movements. Singer starts by cataloging the horrors of present-day animal cruelty: from factory farms to animal research, etc. He then expounds upon how vegetarianism and an understanding of speciesism are essential steps to combating this cruelty. The book ends with practical cooking tips.

Animal Rights/Human Rights: Entanglements of Oppression and Liberation by David Nibert

From the Publisher: This accessible and cutting-edge work offers a new look at the history of western civilization, one that brings into focus the interrelated suffering of oppressed humans and other animals. Nibert argues that the oppression both of humans and of other species of animals is inextricably tangled within the structure of social arrangements. Nibert asserts that human use and mistreatment of other animals are not natural and do little to further the human condition.

Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina

This book provides great information about health issues, the environment and the suffering of food animals. Numerous tables are included with dietary information for various foods. Special attention is also given to vegan athletes, pregnant woman and children.

Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan

Whereas Peter Singer launched the Animal Liberation movement, Tom Regan coined the term Animal Rights. In this philosophical treatise, Tom Regan meticulously uncovers the paradoxes in belief systems in which animals can be exploited.

Diet for a New America by John Robbins

A great book talking about our dependence on animals for food and the awful conditions under which animals are raised.

The author of this book was expected to someday take over the ice cream company Baskin-Robbins. Instead, he followed his calling and decided to devote his life to the welfare of all species and the environment.

This book is packed with facts. It's a thick book, but because of the great writing style, surprisingly easy to read.

The Exultant Ark - A Pictorial Tour of Animal Pleasure by Jonathan Balcombe

A book filled with stunning photographs. The photographs accompany the fascinating studies done by the author into the lives of animals. He divided the book in several chapters highlighting subjects like "Play", "Touch", "Love", "Comfort" and "Companionship". It's a true pictorial celebration of animal pleasure.

I'm proud that my photo of piglets taken at Farm Sanctuary was included in this book (pages 152/153).

The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World by John Robbins

Great book by the author of "Diet for a New America".  This book contains a lot of very well researched information on current issues like genetically engineering and current environmental problems.

This book is a real treat for the peace-loving soul. The authors have profiled 20 great peacemakers. For each peacemaker they've included information about their background, their peaceful actions and some wonderful quotes. The stories are each only a few pages long, making it a very light read and accessible to many people. The book is divided into five parts, including "Choosing Nonviolence", "Living Peace", "Honoring Diversity", "Valuing All Life" and "Caring for the Planet". It is almost impossible not to get inspired while reading this book. As a bonus, you also learn something about history. This book can be used as a wonderful tool to teach people about peace and perhaps even move someone to action. It is dearly needed in today's world.

Introduction to Animal Rights by Gary L. Francione

Law professor and animal rights advocate Gary Francione has developed a theory of animal rights that relies only on the sentience of nonhumans and that requires the abolition, and not merely the regulation, of animal exploitation. In this book he examines the concepts of property and equal consideration to arrive at the basic contention of animal rights: that everyone has the right to be treated as a means to an end.