I have been a non-meat-eater for over 20 years. I really can't remember! I happened to see a Channel 4 documentary in the UK called Pandora's Lunchbox. It was about intensive farming and slaughtering. I haven't eaten meat since.

My point is that I probably wouldn't have gone out and sought a book called Pandora's Lunchbox. It popped up on the TV, I watched it, and it changed my life. My fear is that the only people who will read this book - who will go to the bookshop, or seek it on Amazon - are the 'converted'. Or those who are already questioning.

My family occasionally tried to tempt me with 'Happy Meat' - local, organically-raised pigs and poultry, etc - but as the author says, although my original objection was to the miserbale lives and horrific deaths, after a while, I would just prefer they continued to be happy, not dead.

I'm now about to inflame everyone, possibly, because I do, occasionally, eat fish. I carry an 'ethical fish' leaflet in my wallet, and choose carefully. So I shall read this book, and perhaps it will stop me eating any fish again?
My worry is that the majority of cheap-meat-eaters will not be affected by this book.

I, for one, was a meat-eater changed by the book. This book is having an impact. It's not going to change the world overnight, but it's doing its part. It's been getting a surprising amount o publicity: Ellen, Colbert report, Larry King, NPR, etc.

I know of four meat eaters that have changed their eating habits because I bought them this book for Christmas (and I told them the ONLY gift I wanted was for them to read it).

Not all of them have given it up entirely, but all of them are now more careful about avoiding mass produced meats. One is even avoiding all mass produced animal products unless she knows the source, which makes her (in effect) a Social Vegan who only eats animal products (eggs and dairy) when she buys her own from people who pasture raise. Prior to that, she bought a lot of things that contained dairy and eggs, and ate meat (especially factory farmed meat) from restaurants and take-outs.

I agree that most committed meat eaters wouldn't pick up this book on their own (though I commend those here who have done just that), but I've made a promise to myself to always have at least one copy to either give away to someone who might be receptive or at least a copy to loan out. I think its making a big difference.

Good idea Jellie!

I'm always going to keep a copy on hand. I already gave mine away.

I've also met a few former meat-eaters who bought the book simply because they loved JSF's novels, and who were 'converted' by it.

I've so far only given it to one friend, and she was so horrified she stopped reading fairly early on... she said she didn't want to know, but would stop eating meat, but I wonder whether she really has to be honest, she can be a bit wishy washy about things like this. Then again, I was fairly wishy washy in my early days of 'vegetarianism' - maybe she'll come around if she hasn't already.

I'm not sure whether I will be gifting it to more people, it might make people resistant if I am so overtly trying to change their ways I have changed my tactics however: I used to see my vegetarianism as a personal matter, and if people asked by I was a vegetarian I would keep my answers short. Now, I go into the issues in more depth, and focus more on the human and environmental cost as well as animal welfare. If people seem interested, I recommend the book.