Animal Factory

David Kirby exposes "confined animal feeding operations"--CAFOs--focusing on the neighbors of these mass producers. They tell of having the smell of fermenting livestock waste drift into their windows and ruin their lives. They describe watching the vast pools of feces and urine drain into waterways, polluting drinking water and the environment. Fish in nearby rivers and estuaries downstream become sickened by opportunistic bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant e. coli contaminate edible crops. William Hughes's narration captures the growing anger of the corporate giants' human victims by giving them personalities and voices. His subtle characterizations keep him in the background, while allowing the grim facts to instigate an appropriate outrage in listeners. Without being unpleasant, writer and narrator personify the formidable reality threatening us all. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

May 3, 2010
Following crusaders against large-scale factory farms, investigative journalist Kirby delves deep to uncover the abysmal conditions of America’s food and produce industry; “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” or CAFOs, are revealed to be the root cause of current health crises such as swine flu and massive recalls on grocery products. Kirby presents the human side of big-business blunders and coverups. William Hughes keeps the prose engaging by shifting his tone to underplayed yet believable characterizations. He presents the bulk of the material in a straightforward, newsworthy tone capable of presenting the facts without editorializing. An eye-opening account of an escalating problem. A St. Martin’s hardcover.