Lesser Beasts: A Snout-to-Tail History of the Humble Pig by Mark EssigMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Pig. Considered the most intelligent of the farm animals. Over its long history, the pig has had a bad rap. Throughout the past they've been considered unclean, disease ridden, and unholy. Mark Essig provides a detailed account of the history of the pig from its first known existence 120,000 years ago in Hallan Cemi (in Turkey) to today's fascination with bacon. Essig also touches on today's concern over farm welfare and the trend toward snout-to-tail dining.
You would expect this to be a dry discourse about this lesser beast, but it is written in an enjoyable and sometimes humorous manner. The chapters roll through each era in history and provides a look at the pig's role in each. I most enjoyed the discussion on today's direction toward re-pasturing in the farming industry vs. caging and automation. Now pass me some bacon.
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