Rage and Reason

by Michael Tobias

Michael Tobias' latest work of fiction is a shocking, breath-stopping political thriller which tracks the fury of an outraged ex-Special Forces veteran who turns to violent retribution in defense of the earth and its fauna. Rage and Reason is an unstoppable rollercoaster of action which explodes across four continents—a chief executive's severed head is served up at a stockholder's luncheon...a furrier is skinned alive...Thai poachers are deftly eliminated...and the first day of hunting season in the Maine woods is turned into a human massacre. Rage and Reason is as vivid a portrayal of the horrors of vivisection and the meat industry as Upton Sinclair's classic The Jungle .
"A terrific story, told from the heart, its soul rich with knowledge. Some people and corporations should lose sleep wondering if Rage & Reason will ever become a real life thriller for them."—Ingrid E. Newkirk, President, PETA—People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Corvus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited about this book, only to find it full of misogyny. Basically- if a dude runs an animal exploitation facility, he's shot in the head. If a woman works at that facility, she's said to need a gang raping by elephants and when she is found, the "hero" rips open her shirt, spits on her chest to attack her "new found femininity" and then kills her.

The whole thing was obviously written by a dude with some concept of animal suffering but absolutely no idea how that fits into other oppressions. I am surprised it had such good reviews online. I was initially really excited about a cathartic book where animal abusers have the tables turned but it was more like a bad action flick.

Oh, and the ending was a total cop-out. It was good enough for me to finish which says something about it but overall it was pretty beat.

[Brokenmend · Rating 4 out of 5]

the last fiction i finished in a long time.. about 2 ex-militia men who stalk and kill vivisectors, chefs, trophy hunters, and the like.. it's a thriller, it has a love story, and the conflict of the underground that secretly desires to live a normal live. oh sapp! i love it.

[melissa bock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uhm, all I have to say is: stories about killing animal abusers and lots of guns is way, totally fucking cool.

[Erwin Vermeulen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking at the injustice in the world, especially the horrible crimes committed towards the non-human animals on this planet, and realising how few people actually care enough to do something about it, it is hard not to dwell on when violence for change is justified ...
This fictional book explores the actions and motivation of a few people who have come to the conclusion that an eye for an eye is the way to go.

[Maja · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most shitty book I've ever read, normally I would give it to the local library flee market but this book shouldn't be bought by another person for their own sanity.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rage and Reason is a book that will undoubtedly divide people who are compassionate about animal rights as it takes the path to violent revenge over, shall say we say, more 'peaceful' options. It follows two ex-Special Forces men who hunt down and kill people like vivisectors, furriers and poachers, in the name of animal rights.

Whilst I love a good vigilante story as much as the next person, Rage and Reason just reads like a cheesy low-budget, action thriller, with an excessive use of guns, and brutal acts of murder thrown in for cheap tricks. I also hated the misogynistic tone of the writer who seems to have zero respect for women. If the book hadn't been so short and fast paced, I doubt I would have finished it. OK for a trashy read, but terrible if you're after a political thriller with any depth or real intelligence to its issues.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got issues with books like this (see my review for You Are A Cat). This book is clearly targeted for animal activists and people with compassion for animals, and yet the entire thing is FILLED with CHAPTER LONG descriptions of animal cruelty and torture. In detail.

Anyway, rant aside, the book was okay. It had a decent premise and a fun ending. I think I would have really enjoyed it if not for the majority of it being like the aforementioned.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good. interesting concept. every time i think of m&m's i think of this book. haha

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal rights revenge novel. Obviously written by a non-feminist male, but some great AR propaganda and wish fulfillment.

[Smruti Nayak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-reading this one.The first page was good enough to make me read it in its entirety. :)