Meat Is for Pussies

May 19, 2014
“Who propagated this bullshit that meat makes you macho?” Joseph (The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon) asks in the introduction to his chest-beating, profanity-laced argument for a vegan diet. Frontman for the punk band the Cro-Mags and a veteran Ironman competitor, Joseph walks the walk and offers a sustained argument, citing multiple studies to back up his claims. Readers may recognize familiar villains such as Monsanto, genetically modified foods, and fad diets like the Zone (“these douchebags need to stop shitting on complex carbs”) and Nutrisystem, as well as pesticides, hormones, and their alleged connection to obesity and a litany of illnesses. Ironically, Joseph saves his most scathing attack for the book’s appendix, where he takes on the commercial meat and fish industries. He makes a sensible case for a plant- and fruit-based approach to dieting (a word he abhors) coupled with a solid exercise regimen (also included). His chapter of recipes will help devotees on their vegan journey. However, his admonishments that “meat and processed foods will turn you into a feeble pussy” quickly begin to grate and detract from his argument. 8 pages of b&w photos. Agent: Daniel Kirschen, ICM.