An American Trilogy (book)
| Industry | Food processing, Meat packing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tar Heel , United States |
| Products | Pork products |
An American Trilogy: Death, Slavery, and Dominion on the Banks of the Cape Fear River is a 2009 nonfiction work authored by Steven M. Wise that investigates the pig industry in North Carolina. Wise, an American legal expert focused on animal protection, delves into both historical and modern forms of exploitation connected to a particular location in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
Contents
The book outlines the land's transformation, beginning with the destruction of native tribes by Christian colonists, continuing through its period as a plantation reliant on enslaved African Americans, and culminating in its present function as the site of pig factory farms and the world's largest slaughterhouse, operated by Smithfield Foods, where approximately 40,000 pigs are processed daily.
Wise's research incorporates conversations with former slaughterhouse employees—many being immigrants hesitant to report mistreatment—site visits to pork production facilities, dialogues with scientists working to improve pork taste, and participation in the World Pork Expo held in Iowa. Using these perspectives alongside the narrative of an imagined pig, Wise critiques the pork industry's animal treatment practices. He contends that worker desensitization combined with weak regulatory oversight leads to prioritizing financial gain over animal welfare.
Reviews
Barbara Bamberger Scott from Curled Up with a Good Book characterizes An American Trilogy as compelling and insightful, emphasizing that Wise advocates for pigs without endorsing veganism. In contrast, Publishers Weekly described the book as a "confused manifesto," pointing out contentious parallels drawn between indigenous spirituality and Christian doctrines of dominion, as well as blending weighty topics with minor grievances. The review advises readers to seek more balanced discussions on animal rights elsewhere.