Rating: 
Summary: The Dark Side of American Politics
Review: I certainly agree with everything that has been said about the nefarious practices of the meatpacking and fast food industries. The main lesson I learned in Schlosser's book is that corporations and the free market will make money any way it can. They are amoral. It is up to us, our government, and our elected leaders to define the values we want to live by and the standards to which we will hold companies accountable. Time and again Schlosser points out how the Congress, our presidents and agencies, namely OSHA, have failed the general public. Schlosser contends that perhaps the most efficient way to make change is to pressure the largest fast food companies who are quite sensitive to public opinion. The fact that this may be true, relying on McDonalds rather than our government to effect social change, is a sad statement on the times.
Rating: 
Summary: diluted muckracking
Review: "Fast Food Nation" was much different than I expected. It was part "Millionaire Next Door", part Sinclair's "The Jungle", part anti-Republican treatise, and part fast food expose. The author addressed a large number of diverse topics and anecdotes which made it interesting, but it simultaneously diluted the muckraking and call to action.I listened to the unabridged Audible version. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the author narrated it himself, as he did with his Black Market audiobook.
Rating:
Summary: A good foundation for a series of exposés.
Review: Everyone knows--or should know--that fast food is mostly garbage. It is hollow, useless food that is horrible for your mind and your soul. Schlosser reiterates this truth, but he goes much further--he shows the vast human toll the industry takes on the most vulnerable segments of our society. For example, the meat processing industry used to be one of the safest and highest-paying jobs in the world, and now it is one of the most dangerous and poorly compensated. The most fascinating part of the book is his demonstration of the devastation caused to workers in this industry, and reading it made me feel physically ill. Maybe I should've known this already (as other reviewers have stated), but I was definitely horrified. So horrified that I haven't eaten at McDonald's since--the sight of the Golden Arches nauseates me, because I will forever associate that brand with Schlosser's description of the horrors of slaughtering and packing meat. My only complaint about this book is that it is a bit dry--but that's fairly standard for non-fiction. To stay interested, I had to read the book out of sequence--but I did manage to stay interested enough to read it all. In summary, Schlosser is an occasionally captivating writer--once you get through his dry posturing and smarmy rectitude. He may not have the stunning effect on your choice of food that he had on me, but Fast Food Nation is definitely worth your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Making better food choices
Review: Jeremy Rifkin's Beyond Beef was published ten years ago and unfortunately it was not enough to wake up consumers then. Let's hope that this book comes at the right time and we see Americans all over the country making better choices about their food. .
Rating:
Summary: Wow, Who Knew?
Review: I am a book discussion leader on the Shippensburg Honors program freshmen orientation team for 2003 and this is the book we're reading. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised! I was intregued and shocked from beginning to end. From the conditions of meat packing factories, to the treatment of employees, to the unwillingness of fast food chains to make things better. This book was a real eye opener--definately one for your reading list.
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading for All Americans
Review: You will never look at the food you eat in the same way. I am not a huge meat or fast food consumer. In fact, I haven't regularly eaten fast food in over three years. After discovering the "Dark Side of the American Meal" I will never step foot in another fast food restaurant again. Not for even a milkshake. I am not sure I will ever even consume another beef product again. Eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation" is a brilliantly written account of the horrible tradgedy called the American Meal. I had never really realized the enormous impact this venture has had on not only our health, but our workforce, land, government and safety. After reading this book, I have found myself overwhelmed with a general disgust and mistrust for the people and organizations that got us all to the point we are today. In all honesty, I think it should be a required read for all high school students. If there's one regret I have, it's not reading this book sooner. Eric Schlosser writes in such a way that even pages of statistics and names maintain interest and fascination. Somehow he maintains a sort of incredible journalistic approach throughout the book that makes the reader feel as though he/she is not being fed the writer's opinion about something, just the pure and simple appaling facts. I can't even count the times I gasped out load with surprise and disgust while reading the book silently to myself. Do yourself a favor. Read "Fast Food Nation". - Amanda Okonek
Seattle, WA
Rating:
Summary: Frightening and enlightening
Review: This is not a sensationalist book. It does not aim to horrify you with leering descriptions of the horrors of the industry. Instead it calmly and throughly states the facts which is all the more horrifying.
I have not eaten at a fast food chain since I finished this book months ago, and its not just because of the food (and what goes into it) but the social and economic dirty tricks the industry plays on all of us.
Read this book and you will feel smarter. Then give it to a friend and spread the word.
Rating:
Summary: The truth behind fast food
Review: Fast Food Nation was is an awakening to the fast food industry. We are often in such a rush that we grab whatever we can find somewhere in the midst of our busy days. Unfortunetly we forget the harmful ingiedents, poor working, and health conditions that our food is made in. Why will we not goin into C rated restraunts, yet we eat at chains which barley scored that mark? This book coneys the development of this industry and tis downward spiral. This industry takes advatange of imigrant workers and has very ofen failed to join a union for its employees. We sacrifice quality and morals for speed, and we will pay for this soon in our lives as our health beings to deteriorate. This book opened my eyes to the truth behind my burgers!
Rating:
Summary: Disgusting but true
Review: The book really gets out the truth behind the fast food industries. It really makes you think of what you are eating. It is definitly something everyone should read at one point or another.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Although I read Fast food nation for a class, it was a book I would have read on my free time. I liked the beginning chapters of this book, especially w/ Karl, because it related to how my grandfathers business prospered. Like Karl, he started with almost nothing and slowly worked his way up (However, Karl's business expanded all over the US) As a fast food fan, I lost my appetite for a while, but as long as you block off the words you read in the fries, meat and the injury section, I'm sure the meal will taste even better!
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