The Politics of the Pasture

[Carolyn Bailey]

The Politics of the Pasture

Professor James McWilliams' fifth book, The Politics of the Pasture: How Two Oxen Sparked a National Discus... has been released as an e-book. This book covers the arguments and events framing the Bill and Lou saga at Green Mountain College.

The Politics of the Pasture is about two cows, one already dead the other whose life hangs in the balance. It’s about the decision to kill sentient animals under the guise of “sustainability” and fail abjectly to offer a justification. It’s about the future of eating ethically. This book covers what was a critical moment in animal advocacy history—the moment when a national discussion finally arose over the troubled intersection of environmental and animal rights ideologies.

Please check out James' book, which is brilliantly and passionately written, through  Amazon, at iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and ebooks.com.  And, of course, you can always purchase it at Lantern Books, who did a brilliant job with the project.

The Politics of the Pasture e-book

Book Description:

On October 1, 2012, Green Mountain College in Vermont announced that it was going to slaughter its longtime oxen team Bill and Lou and, according to its mission of food sustainability, serve them as hamburger in the school's cafeteria.

What ensued was more explosive and far-reaching than anyone could have predicted. Immediately animal advocates entered the fray, sanctuaries offering to take the oxen in and anonymous donors to make up for the lost revenue. As the public dialogue intensified, activists and students engaged in a battle fought not only in the pasture but across social media, spreading to the entire world. And in the midst of it all were Bill and Lou, "magnificent creatures—an embodiment of power, with long horns and formidable muscle under coats the color of creamed coffee." 
Historian James McWilliams closely follows the players, from GMC's president and faculty to leading animal rights thinkers, as he investigates the political workings of a small agricultural college, the inherent flaws of ecological sustainability, and the ethical implication of eating animals. No matter what side of the debate one falls on, this case study poses vital and provocative questions long after the controversy has died down.