Almost every society in human history has either dabbled in, or embraced whole-heartedly, cannibalism. Why is it then that in our time the consuming of human meat is regarded as the last taboo—ranked alongside other acts of a shocking and nefarious nature such as incest?

Fascinated at how cannibalism has been almost ubiquitous throughout history (not to mention a practice enjoyed by almost every other species), Tahir Shah set out to discuss the social history of people-eating from our ancient ancestors to the medieval Crusaders, to the feasting on cabin boys in the Napoleonic era, to the gruesome cannibal-killers of the modern internet age.

An extraordinary thought-provoking essay, CANNIBALISM: IT'S ONLY MEAT is certain to horrify a great many readers, and will leave all who reach the end with a sense of revelation at what is the last taboo.

This essay is just under 5,000 words in length.