Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A really difficult and heartbreaking read, but also important. As a vegetarian I was already familiar with the cruelty that goes on in this industry, but there is still value in reminding oneself and reaffirming those values for me.

It seems strange to be giving a positive review to a book that made me feel physically sick while reading it. Sometimes though you have to do difficult things, as Rich Hardy has done, and read difficult things, like this collection of disturbing stories from his work as an activist and campaigner on behalf of animals. Ignorance might in this case be bliss for the human but it certainly isn’t for the chickens, rabbits, elephants, lions and all the other animals that Hardy uncovers in a range of states of torture and maltreatment.

I suppose that this might not be selling the book to many people but I would plead with you to read it all the same. This is an important book for us all to understand, it tells us so much about where we have got to as a species by exposing our everyday destructive relationship with other animals. It expresses our greed, our capacity for cruelty, our disconnection from the rest of nature, our broken systems of both food and economics, but it also gives us an opportunity to face up to all these things and do something about it. An opportunity to save our fellow creatures from the misery we inflict and perhaps also in doing so to save ourselves.

That might sound over the top but is it really? What damage are we doing to ourselves physically and mentally by treating other living things with such grotesque violence? It is striking that in all the industries that Hardy investigates there is a desire for secrecy. The facilities are hidden away out of the sight and mind of the public. They are tightly controlled in an attempt to keep what happens inside out of the public domain. If the consumer followed an animal’s journey to their plate or their wardrobe they might not want to buy that meal or item of clothing after all and we can’t be having that.

If we are going to live in a way that requires us to use animals, whether that be to work for us, entertain us or feed us, then the very least that we can do is be aware of how those animals are treated and ensure that it is in a way that recognises and respects their inherent value as fellow sentient beings. Not As Nature Intended is a good starting point for understanding what the situation is now and, as with all good writing, it is also an opportunity and invitation to reflect on how animals support our own lifestyles and whether that is appropriate and respectful.

It is not right for us to simply hand over responsibility for the way the things that we consume are produced. We have to understand how our own actions impact not just the animals, but also the land, the rivers and seas, the air, the flora and other people around the world, and then consider whether it is right for us to carry on in that action or not. So read Rich Hardy’s book, understand how animals are treated in order to meet the demands of the consumer, and think about how animals are currently supporting your own lifestyle. Is that role really necessary and if it is what actions can you take to make sure that it honours the animal involved?

Heartbreaking and real. As someone who follows a vegan lifestyle, I found this hard to read at times and some moments it hard and I had to walk away for a moment. Everyone should read this as so much information about how animals are treated is hidden from the general public, and out of sight out of mind is real!

4 stars
Not as Nature Intended
Rich Hardy
This is a fascinating look at the unknown and unseen horrors that happen across the world in the meat/animal trade. Hardy has masterfully written a book recounting his 20+ years of trying to make a change in the way animals are treated when they have only been born for a specific purpose. He also takes a look and tries to document and change how an animal is used once their life in a circus or other industry is complete. This book is well written but difficult to read in parts due to the graphic nature of some of the stories. I would recommend this book to anyone of middle school age and higher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Unbound for my copy of this book. Although at times it was very hard to read some of the harrowing, deeply disturbing stories of truly appalling animal cruelty and abuse, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read this important book. I've been vegetarian for 29 years, vegan most days, and hope this book will persuade more people to give up eating meat. Rich Hardy is a very brave and compassionate man who has done incredible, vital work. Everyone should read this book.