Rating: 
Summary: Read this before you buy another Big Mac
Review: Everybody knows that fast good isn't good for you. Yeah, so what's new? Well, read this book and you'll find out. This book isn't another "eat healthy" speech, it gives you the real low-down on the food service industry: from meat processing to potato growing to the food handling training the 16-year-old behind the counter received (or didn't receive). It's not a pretty picture.Whether you're trying to eat healthy or not, after reading this book you'll never look at fast food the same way again. The book is an easy and fascinating read. Eric Schlosser objectively portrays the fast food industry in it's true light. This is the kind of book you can pick up and just open and no matter where you start, it'll be interesting. A definate must-read.
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Summary: Bad reviews?
Review: Just looked through many of these reviews and it appears that the only negative reviews of this book come from Republicans and Conservatives. It seems they were quite upset at the jabs Schlosser took at them in his book. Unfortunatly I have yet to read a negative review that provided any counter evidence to lead me to believe the Conservatives were not guilty of the accusations made by Schlosser in his book. His sources appear to be on target, his arguements seem to be sound - yea maybe he could of chewed out the Democrats as well (that would of been enjoyable too!) - but if you are going to give a negative review, heck, give me something, anything to go on other than the fact you vote republican and it hurt your feelings when you found out they could give two hoots about what you eat because they're getting paid out by big corporations.
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Summary: Fast Food Nation
Review: Fast-food is here to stay. It is a pervasive and, to many, a very important part of life. In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser describes in detail, many shocking truths about what is collectively known as the fast-food industry. Schlosser gives an account of the roots of fast-food, and he also warns us all about it's future. I feel that a book like this is not simply meant to educate us about it's subject, but also to motivate us to change the status quo. Reading about how this industry has contributed to topics ranging from illness to creating an entire class of low class, uneducated workers is jarring. The treatment of workers at meat packing plants, for example, is in many instances, inhumane. Many of these plants are providing meat for fast-food. It is not hard to see how the "McDonalization", of not only food, but employees as well, has led to the extreme cases of abuse described in this book. The unskilled, uneducated, and low-paid workers in these two industries are being exploited and abused indiscriminately. Unfortunately the influence that in particular, the fast-food industry wields, is far reaching. From politics to agriculture, after reading Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, one can only begin to grasp the seemingly boundless power that this multi-billion dollar industry has: and has used, according to many, criminally. In conclusion, the fast-food industry has grown from small mom & pop restaurants to a multi-billion dollar global industry. While this may sound like one of the great success stories of the 20th century, it has been built by the labor of millions of low-paid, exploited, and abused workers. Schlosser's book makes us look at the reality behind many aspects of fast-food we have all routinely taken for granted.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Fast Food Nation is very informative and funny. That said, it can also be disturbing, as when Schlosser leads us through the slaughter house. Schlosser is a brilliant writer with an eye for subtlety and detail. His writing style is remarkably clear and lucent, with a touch of wry humor. I learned so much from this book. It povides concise histories of the major fast food chains, details of their organizational philosophy, information on the chemical and organic composition of their products, and an outline of the their ambitions to invade every nook and cranny of our social space: from the hallways of our schools to the depths of our subconscious. Learn about the McDonad's Trial, Mad Cow's Disease, immigrant labor pools, slotter house blues, unions, food fragrance, advertising, and many other topics that will grab your interest and perhaps blow your mind. Two thumbs up!
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Summary: Want Fries With That?
Review: When you're trapped on a plane for 5 hours, sometimes you just need a good book to read so you don't go nuts when the person in the seat in front of you decides to recline as far back as possible onto your already-cramped legs. Once I was done memorizing every page of the latest issue of ReadyMade, I started to read Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser. At first I was hesitant in reading this book. I'm a big fan of fast food and I didn't want to hear any true-yet-disgusting stories about Big Macs and Whoppers. (I had already heard the story about formaldehyde, aka a "brine solution," in maraschino cherries while I was on vacation in Hawaii, as I was gulping down a Chi Chi.) But this book was so engrossing and interesting, I forgot about the food and read about the companies themselves. Did you know that Ray Kroc (McDonalds) and Walt Disney (Disney, duh) knew each other during WWII? Or that they had a long-standing grudge between them? I discovered that many of these pioneers in fast food were mostly high school dropouts who had more business savvy than most Harvard business grads of today. It's not easy to go from pushing a hot dog cart to heading a multi-billion dollar corporation. Heck, I could barely handle selling Girl Scout cookies. Journalist Eric Schlosser did his research. He dug up the histories of everyone behind giants such as KFC, Taco Bell, Carl's Jr., McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Wendy's and more. Plus the more you read the more you wonder why most of the facts in this book aren't common knowledge. Like the fact that many fast food workers are so frustrated with the job environment (low pay, not much chance of moving up the ladder) that they often rob the place later after work. In 1998, more restaurant workers were murdered on the job in the U.S. than police officers. Leading fast food chains often spend millions for extra security measures and cameras, but perhaps if they treated their workers with more respect (instead of someone they can instantly replace) and gave them a wage you could actually pay rent with, they might not have to fear their own employees. Schlosser talks extensively about how the fast food companies are so rabidly against unions that they often close down an entire store and fire all the employees when they suspect union activity. Fast Food Nation encompasses so much more than legendary food giants and the teenage employees who are often exploited to save a few dollars. Schlosser shows you the truth behind starting a franchise, dangers on the job (besides being shot by coworkers), the behind-the-scenes info on food flavorings and additives, the global impact of the fast food industry on the environment and politics and even an an epilogue regarding Mad Cow disease. Before you jump on your right-wing horse [...] about journalists who often write scathing commentary about big business without backing it up, think again. At the end of this book is a hefty chunk of notes listing where Schlosser got all his info so you can do some fact checking on your own. I'm only halfway through the book, but I highly suggest you read it whether you love to eat fast food or not. It may help you gain a bit of perspective about your consumer choices. I might actually go eat at some mom and pop Mexican food joint instead of Taco Bell. Then again, those supreme chalupas sure do taste yummy. Hmmmmm...
Rating:
Summary: Two Cheeseburgers for a Dollar... not as cheap as it seems
Review: Fantastic read... really opens your eyes to what is out there behind the surface. This is the kind of book you can read straight through in one sitting or just skip from topic to topic as you wish, the chapters are pretty self contained. I think the author did a great job in giving industry background of not only the companies that assemble the burgers and serve them with a smile, but also the growers, herders, slaughterers, and chemists who make the products what they are. Author goes off on tangents from time to time, but all add to the understanding of the end product. Not sure if I want to avoid fast food restaurants all together or invest in one myself... the profit margins seem appealing.
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Summary: READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!
Review: This book was fantastic!! I don't even know where to begin when I talk about it. I couldn't put it down because I was so amazed at all the interesting statistics that were thrown all over the place. Schlosser gives the reader a vast amount of background information that proves very helpful in establishing the origins of fast food. Once the good old days are left and we are put into modern times, Schlosser effectively shows how the innocence nature of fast food has today turned sour. Schlosser introduces us to a wide array of people employed by the fast food industry and shows how they were or are still currently being [raked] over by money hungry employers. From ranchers struggling to hold onto their land to teenage behind the counter workers to immigrants working in slaughterhouses, the reader is bombarded with an overwhelming amount of evidence that shows the horror behind fast food.
The best part of this book is that Schlosser gives such a rich variety of information from many areas around the nation and the world. The information is tied together to give the reader a good look at America and the kind of country that we have turned into. I wasn't expecting so much information about society and the larger picture but Schlosser blends this perfectly with an economic viewpoint to create a very tasty concoction. Purchase this book and read it immediately!!
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Summary: Re-examine your values, your government, and your food
Review: Fast Food Nation (FFN) is excellent. The journalistic style presents FFN as an easy read, but the level and thoroughness of the research makes it ideal for academics. I see this book as the latest part of a new line of social/political commentary and criticism that includes authors like Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Ralph Nader, Jeremy Rifkin, Mike Gray, Thomas Szasz, and the like. FFN touches on government policies in a plethora of areas. Schlosser looks at urban sprawl, immigration, labor issues, corporate welfare, globalization, as well as food safety and nutrition. Schlosser's use of history, contrast, social-commentary and irony paint a disturbing picture of a world that exists as a product of corporate greed, failed government regulation, and public apathy. By allowing the voice of individual characters to come through, Schlosser lets the story, of the monster called the Fast Food Industry, unfold itself. Students, teachers, and concerned people all around the world will find FFN invaluable. The work lends itself to political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, history, law, and economics. Years ago Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle to raise national awareness about the injustices and public health problems associated with the meat packing industry. In the recent past, Michael Moore, through the movie Roger and Me and his television specials too has sought to raise public awareness and motivate social change. Schlosser's book should be a call to action. It should inspire us to be better consumers, better citizens, have better governments, and create a better world.
Rating:
Summary: Fastest read that will change your life forever.
Review: This book will [take] you in until you finish it, period. It gives you the plain truth in language that anyone can understand. Pure excellence in investigative journalism! Well-written is an understatement. Schlosser slows down and speeds up using the topics and writing style to control the cadence. Be warned- you will never eat fast food again after reading this book.
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Summary: What happened to the American dream?
Review: "MacDonald's has the best hamburgers in the world" -- so says my youngest son, still a picky eater ate age 10. He's a big MacDonald's supporter, a fan who begs to eat there on special occasions. And so he stepped up to defend them when he overheard a conversation I was having with someone about this book. "Who is the person who wrote this book?" -- he demanded. "Where did he get his information?" he looked scornful. "What proof does he have?" (my son, the detective) and last "What is he getting for saying these things?" my son, the cynic. All good questions, and more than most of us ask about the principles, practices and food sources of fast food restaurants. You'll find the answer to my son's questions in the book -- this is a well researched, well documented and fairly presented study of the fast food industry in America. The author targets no particular chain of restaurants, but presents us with questions we need to ask before blindly stuffing ourselves and our families with fast food. Eric Schlosser covers how employees are handled, not just at the restaurants themselves but at companies whose main income is comes from supplying these chains with what they need. He focuses on the meat industry, from ranchers to the migrant workers in the slaughterhouses. His writing on the actual handling of the beef from birth to death requires a strong stomach. I'd like to point out that we didn't become vegetarians after reading this, 'though we gave some serious thought to it. Instead, the next hamburger we ate was homecooked, the meat from a company who handle beef in a different way -- all because of this book. Schlosser talks about the people who work in the restaurants, what they are expected to do and how their treatment can affect consumers. He explores the reasons why fast food workers are not paid enough to survive (employees used to be mostly high school kids, housewives and the retired, who are looking for supplemental living -- but many employees are now men and women needing to support a family.) His documentation of common management practices light up some painful realizations about what life is like for the workers along the line. Money saving practices are used to cut paying workers 'too much' -- although the cuts are being made into salaries and benefits where there is little money to give. I personally love reading about (in other books, too) stories of Americans who had a dream -- the founders and early promoters of fast food chains usually came from humble beginnings, taking an idea that was theirs, using their own hard work, smart minds and taking use of technical improvements to make their visions and dreams come true. Most of us have bought the fast food industry's promotional pitch -- they really love us, they do it all for us, they are a great place to work, and they are still just folks like us, taking pride in their dream coming true. This book made me wonder if it hasn't all gotten out of hand, if perhaps we've forgotten that those small dreams are now mega-businesses, not small family businesses, and that if these dreams of old were dreamed today, they would be dreams that could not so easily come true. There is little argument that today's business practices result in more profit for top of the line execs, and less pay, benefits or concerns for the seemingly interchangeable frontline workers. The only arguments these days are about whether this is a good thing, a bad thing, or just the way things are. Schlosser presents information so we can reach our own conclusions. Of course it leans toward the humane side, rather than the profit margin side. This book isn't just talking about the quality of the food, but the quality of life for most of us.
I especially liked the end of the book -- where most leave you wondering, in frustration and hopelessness, what to do, he offers steps to take to begin to cause some change. An easy, but painful read!
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