Rating: 
Summary: Great Potential...
Review: ...but Schlosser's politics are so cast in stone that he loses objectivity. Here's an example of what I'm talking about -- In the infamous "What's in the Meat" chapter, he rails on the meatpacking/slaughterhouse industry for allowing contamination in meat in the name of profits. Millions of pounds of questionable ground beef were sold to the government for the school lunch program. When the government tried to get cleaner beef, the powerful lobby of the beef industry stopped them. Sounds bad, right? But wait -- Schlosser admits in the last paragraph of this lengthy chapter that fast food gets the BEST and cleanest ground beef because of it's buying power. And, since it's food poisoning disaster, Jack in the Box has some of the highest standards for meat out there.Now if I didn't know any better, I'd say that's an argument for how the size and power of Fast Food actually improves the quality of what the consumer gets. I'd also say that Schlosser disproves the effectiveness of the governmental regulation he advocates. The school lunch program can't get cleaner beef than McDonald's because they lack the buying power. In many cases, the power of the free market is stronger than government regulation. One other note about the book that other critics haven't made. According to a New York Times Magazine article about the beef industry (look it up online -- you'll learn a lot more about the beef industry a lot faster than suffering through Schlosser's book), McDonald's vastly improved humane slaughter standards in the United States several years ago, and uses its massive buying power to keep standards high. I'm not a fast food fan and I'd generally consider myself liberal, but this book is just too closed-minded. I'm officially off books by journalists.
Rating: 
Summary: an argument against the business, not the food
Review: We already know that fast food isn't good for us. So much of the criticism we hear about fast food today is regarding its poor nutritional value and health risks. Schlosser agrees with this criticism and addresses it moderately, but his book focuses on the business practices of the fast food industry. "Want to keep your McJob? Don't join a McUnion," is just one passage that Schlosser uses to persuade people against fast food not just because it is bad for you, but because of the backwards principles fast food company executives use to run their companies. It is shocking how much executives place profit over employees (this book makes me think that a fast food executive would treat a beef cow better than one of his employees), and Schlosser argues for a revolution in business practices of the industry. Schlosser acknowledges the drive for higher profits, after all, that's what business is all about. He argues for better treatment, salary and benefits of employess, all of this which will create a lasting workforce that takes pride in their job and offers better service to customers - all of which are essential for higher profits. Employees, he feels, aren't expendable, but necessary...each and every individual one.
This book is a fantastic eye opener into an industry that tries so hard to keep your eyes closed. What a great inside view.
Rating:
Summary: Great "Cliff's Notes" version of the fast food industry.
Review: I bought the Penguin edition in Ireland and read it on the flight back to Alaska. I couldn't put it down. I thought it was very informative, full of good research, well-written, and rich in extremely interesting details of what goes on in the fast food industry on both human and corporate levels. I liked it very much!
Rating:
Summary: Names People, Places, Among Other Nefarious Things
Review: An interesting read on the history of food habits in general in America, focusing mainly, of course, on the rise of fast foods. The book also looks at the sad human and animal toll the industry takes just to put burger and fries where you want'em. The only part I was really interested in since I stay away from fast food anyway was what they put (accidental or not) in them burgers. I won't mention it, since it could spoil, let me say, it WILL spoil your appetite. He also had about the other animal stuff they put in your fries too. The story has an easy, breezy read that I like, it goes by fast as if to give you a feel about how fast food itself had risen. The bottom line is, if you want fast food, you'll get it... and faassst, but don't ask what we put in it. You may not want to know, all the better to enjoy that quick burger and fries!
The fast food industry is smart, they're only catering to your whims. Wham'em by not eating there anymore.
Rating: 
Summary: Good info, but...
Review: I am a fairly intelligent person, but I found this book extremely hard to read. It seemed to have good, well researched information, but boring, boring, boring.
Rating: 
Summary: You will find that the food industry cares about ONE thing $
Review: Very informative and very crazy. This book will make you never want to eat fast food again...unless you are [not so smart]. The food industry is very ruthless and cares about money and money only. Your health and their workers/laborers mean absolutely nothing. They hide their true intentions behind smiling clowns and neon signs. In reality they are a kind of infestation of sorts that has taken over a large part of the American landscape. The fact that 76.8 percent of hamburger meat contains traces of manuer is enough to make me never want one again. Stay home and cook a good healthy meal. Become a vegetarian, or eat only a little meat. Don't give them ANY of your money. They are the reason that America is the fattest country in the world. Their convenient junk food has lead to thousands of obese people and numerous health problems that plague the nation. It is convenient and cheap...but it is pure garbage...do yourself, family and friends a favor and read this book...
Rating:
Summary: There¿s sumthin' funny in the cow sandwich!
Review: Hamburgers come from chopped up cows. Chicken sandwiches are made out of chopped up chickens. French fries are, you guessed it, chopped up potatoes fried in lots of grease. I have discovered these and many more startling facts in Eric Schlosser's book "Fast Food Nation". It seems to me that the author spares no expense in his detailed expose' on the shocking details that lurk behind the iron cutrtain of the corporate fast food industry. This book describes in great detail how he travels the country talking to different people to learn their industry secrets. With his journey now concluded, he has decided to share this remarkable story. The core message: Eating fast food is bad for you. I know now that in addition to it being a bad idea to consume fast food, it is also not very good to work for a company associated with the fast food industry. Workers in meat packing plants have gross jobs. They get blood on their clothes and sometimes cut themselves by accident. I get the feeling by reading this book that, perhaps, I am supposed to find this hard to believe. So... maybe I'm a little ahead of the pack, but for many years I have (honestly) suspected that a slaughterhouse is not a nice place to spend the afternoon. In fact, I have witnessed firsthand that at a rapid pace they chop up nice animals there (with no regard for them whatsoever). Eventually, they slice and dice them into little single serving pieces. These pieces are fried up with cheese added (perhaps special sauce) and consumed by the millions daily. There must be a huge demand for it. Maybe I am a genius then to have already discovered that eating fried red meat, fried chicken or fried potatoes everyday can be bad for your health. Seriously, I can see what the author is trying to say in this book. But, for the most part, he tells the "obvious" truths. If you eat a lot of burgers and fries, and you're feeling sick and overweight and don't know why... go ahead and read this book. Otherwise, you might flip through it to read the gross parts just for fun... it has the most disgusting descriptions of slaughterhouse realties since Sinclair's "The Jungle"... favorites like: A lake of cow you-know-what, rivers of blood flowing down the drain and a heap of cow guts to be found in many nooks and the occasional cranny. I give this book two stars. One for being written with acceptable grammer, and one for being sometimes gross, which amused me no little.
Rating:
Summary: Could use some Secret Sauce
Review: Fast Food Nation is a very powerful read, but Schlosser's writing is very dry (could use some gravy or secret sauce). Lots of facts and figures, not enough anecdotes, or first hand interviews. Schlosser mentions lots of different food agencies, goverment agencies, unions representing workers and restaurants, and farmers, and then just gives the acronyms. Pretty soon you can't remember if the IPAs or the GMC or the ICP are on the same side or opposite sides, etc. I'm glad to say that I was not put off eating French Fries, but I probably will hold off the s**t burger in future.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Expose on the Fast Food Machine
Review: I didn't know whether to be disgusted or angry after reading this, so I choose both. Disgusted by the recklessness and disregard of humanity these companies show in search of more profit. Angered by a government that would actually permit such horrendous practices to occur. And to any of those right-winged fools that try to attack the content of this book, take a look at the extensive notes Schlosser has filled with the entire back quarter of the book. Truth hurts, but better than not hearing it at all.
Rating:
Summary: Sworn off fast food
Review: If you are looking for dirty tales from the kitchen, then pass this book up. However, if you are looking for an in depth analysis (expose, really), then this is worth your time. Written in the vein of The Jungle and Silent Spring, Fast Food Nation disects, not just fast food restaurants, but the industry as a whole. From french fry manufacturers, to cattle farmers, to slaughterhouses, Schlosser delves into the side of the fast food industry that we never see. Of particular interest are the chapters dealing with the brutal working conditions that slaughterhouse employees must endure and the safety violations committed by large meat-packing firms. Schlosser is not afraid to name names, and you will be shocked to read how much control fast food companies exert over meatpackers, how horribly fast food companies treat their employees, how unkindly these companies regard their customers, and how lives have been ruined by the power and authority of fast food companies. If, after reading this book, you choose to patronize fast food places (and he does identify companies that are worthy of our business), then at least you will be making an informed decision.
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