"While not entirely related to our consumption of animals, the field of anthrozoology is an important one for a conscious eater to consider."

[Photograph: Harper Collins]

For millennia, humans and animals have formed symbiotic relationships. We provide protection, animals provide companionship and sustenance. But only recently did scholars begin studying the human-animal relationship in-depth, seeking answers to why and how we relate to other species. Psychologist Hal Herzog is at the head of this field, and his new book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard to Think Straight About Animals illuminates many different aspects of our thoughts on animals.

As I began reading the book, it became evident that much of Herzog's work doesn't deal directly with animals as food. Indeed, I read several chapters detailing pet-owner relationships and the ethics of animal experimentation before getting to the "meat" of the book (pardon the pun). But Herzog's writing is so engaging and the topic material so unique that even for the food-obsessed like me, this book is a well-rounded educational experience.

Herzog's discussion of how and why we eat animals follows a somewhat unusual model. Much of his opinion is informed by interviews and studies he himself has conducted throughout his career. One illuminating tidbit provided through these sources is the shockingly small number of "true" vegetarians. Both Herzog's studies and other empirical research has concluded that between 97% and 99% of Americans "sometimes eat flesh." With the media full of meat industry exposes and the voices of animal rights activists, it is easy to vastly overestimate these numbers. Herzog reminds the reader of our true consumption levels.

There is much to be learned in Herzog's book about the manifold ways we interact with animals. He chats about food taboos, and the morally questionable consumption of dogs and other pets. He gets down to the heart of cockfighting, familiarizing himself with the rules and owners who run the brutal shows. He gently exposes gender differences in trends of animal cruelty and pet ownership behaviors. And he digs deep into the morality of animal experimentation, and the questionable brutality of some anti-experiment activists. Herzog's tone is always even and fair, but he thankfully provides conclusive opinions rather than endless philosophizing.

In all, this is a book well worth reading. While not entirely related to our consumption of animals, the field of anthrozoology is an important one for a conscious eater to consider. Whether you choose to eat meat or steer clear of flesh, we are all constantly engaging with members of other, subordinate species. Herzog challenged me to question my own beliefs and actions pertaining to animals. As a result, I learned more about my own basic moral standards as well as loads about animals-human relations in our society. Such a thought experiment is both fun and useful—especially if you're wondering how anyone could rationalize eating dog meat.

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves consuming and learning about as much food as possible. Her work is also featured in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine. She blogs at Feasting on Providence.