Rating: 
Summary: I'm eating what?
Review: I've been trying to write a review for this book and end up not being able to grasp the profound effect it has had on me. I'm left will a feeling of being too small to actually do anything about the "wool" being pulled over America's eyes. From basic human rights to our nation's safety (e.coli, salmonella, etc.), the fast food industry has been able to break laws, cover up incidents and some how flourish, making billions of dollars a year. I devoured this book, it is easy to read, accurate and eye opening. The contents in this book is something that every American should be familiar. Fast food customers should be informed of what goes on to deliver that "happy" meal on to your plastic tray from beginning to end. I'd like to thank Eric Schlosser for writing this book, his research has caused me to take a look at what I'm supporting and risking by consuming meat. I for one will not support these arrogant corporate giants and have chosen to stay away from fast food. I have seen the light and its not from the glowing golden arches down the street!
Rating: 
Summary: So thats why Ronald wears gloves
Review: The only disappointment I had with Mr. Schlosser's book was his underdevelopment of the role the American consumer plays in its own fleecing. Its pretty easy to parade out a bunch of soulless corporations, hyper-wealthy individuals, and influence peddling politicians, and pretend that its US against THEM and that WE have been hoodwinked. Is it possible that the consumers have played some role in creating the institutions that now seem, though disgusting and anti-social, so natural to their own sensibilities? American consumer psychology is the great missing actor in this particular iteration of the American Corporate Tragedy. The willingness to pay the lowest possible sticker price at ANY price, even at a completely unknown price, may be a more petty form of greed, but its just as damaging as the corporate manifestation. There is another muckracking exposé left unwritten here, though I doubt it would sell as well. Maybe you could sell it to the corporations. Other than that I concur with the majority here. This is an excellent book, and its excellence is based on its well-researched tidbits. Who knew that due to a "training" tax credit, fast food workers as a whole essentially as much on the government dole as they are are McDonald's dime? I'd love to see the actual cost of government subsidies and services that go into creating each of those "$1.49" burgers. This is a free market? You couldn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the tax money that has gone into creating this great American institution. From the trillions of dollars of subsidies to the auto industry, the massive public irrigation projects, grants of national grazing lands, tax giveaways, and minimum wage arrangements, what we have here is a series of fifteen 5 year plans that would make the Kremlin blush. All of this in service of a system that despoils American land, water, air, and food, drives independent farmers off their land, blights the landscape, and helps create a nation of cholesterol laden fat junkies who are quite literally willing to eat poop. So remember that the next time you hear Trent Lott say its time for solar energy to get off the government's teat and pay its own way. We can't afford to invest anything in a clean, renewable, independent source of energy, but we've got billions to dump into Ronald McDonald's greasy, poop-stained gloves.
Rating:
Summary: I can't recommend this book enough!
Review: I have not set foot in a fast food restaurant since I read this book! Not just a gross-out, Schlosser writes a fascinating history of fast food and its impact on society- socially, politically, and economically. This is the first non-fiction book I would describe as 'gripping.' I could not put it down.
Rating:
Summary: The fine art of pulling it all together
Review: Mr. Schlosser's book demonstrates that we should not be surprised by the illegal things that people do, but rather by the perfectly legal barbarities we tolerate. I was particularly intrigued by his discussion of how fast food companies and large meatpacking firms lobby Congress against safety regulations. It called to mind the old adage that people with weak stomachs should not watch the manufacture of sausage or legislation. I spent a lot of time reviewing Mr. Schlosser's notes and bibliography. His sources are many and solid, and in the main to publications that are fairly easy to find. Most of the U.S. government reports were distributed to federal depository libraries, and many from the past five years have been posted to the Internet as well. The newspaper articles are from newspapers with large enough circulations that they show up in Lexis-Nexis, which may be freely searched at many college and university libraries. Some of the industry trade journals he cites may be tougher to find, because few libraries have strong collections of those; however, the scientific journals and general magazine articles will be found in many libraries or readily available through interlibrary loan. All this to say that Mr. Schlosser did not turn up huge amounts of information hidden from the poor, unsuspecting public. Instead, he has done us an enormous favor by pulling together a lot of information and demonstrating its impact and why we ought to care. His narrative is compelling, and he's a wise enough journalist to permit the facts to speak for themselves. Fast Food Nation is not a political screed, though the implications of the message should cause us all grave concern. Those who wish to contend with Mr. Schlosser's narrative and conclusions should do so by first reviewing and engaging his sources. The subject is worthy of wide and vigorous debate, and he has given us a great place to begin.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Morose, Vivid -- This book will affect you!
Review: This expose of the inhumanity of the mcdonalds corp and company will have a lasting impact on your decision making process with regard to purchasing, and consuming meat and meat products. Mad cow disease and other pathogens are borne out of the cattle industry feeding cattle not only their own excrement, but purchasing chopped up cats and dogs from the pound. (Ever lost a pet? You probably ate little fluffy in a quarter pounder about 4 days after fluffy was run over by aunt josies cadillac!1) I read this book in 2 sittings and was horrified and enlightened, stupified and frightened. There is no wonder this books sits a top of the NY Times Best non-fiction best seller list. Ingratiate yourself, and never, ever eat at McDonalds or fast food chains again!!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, profound, discouraging and troubling
Review: The excerpt from this book on food additives which appeared in "The Atlantic" was by itself an incentive to read this book. However, it is far more comprehensive and fascinating. I was "pleased" to find this a thorough, scholarly, and also quite interesting overview of the history and impact of fast food upon American society. I found myself continually reminded of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle", Ruth Ozeki's "My Year of Meats" and, more pleasantly, David Halberstam's "The Fifties". Schlosser provides a fascinating history of the fast food industry and food notes to relevant agricultural and related labor history and legislation. The irony of the later, however, is overpowering. Clearly the issues of food safety are the most terrifying aspect of this book. I was left chilled by how particularly critical it is to protect my children from consuming fast food. However, one is left with an incredible sense of outrage, and impotence, about the recidivism of American corporate practices in terms of minimal fair labor practices and its lack of fundamental social conscience regarding consumer safety. It is too reminiscent of Sinclair's seminal work and ironically the impact of Schlosser will probably be the same -- to raise concern about food quality alone rather than the egregious exploitation of those in fast food production and service. It leaves you increasingly cynical about the corporate lack of business ethics, and failure of politicians to act as guardians of the common good. This book will terrify, enrage, and depress you. It is not sensational; the validity of the basic facts is inescapable. The author has performed a great service to society -- regrettably, it seems unlikely to result in any call to action.
Rating:
Summary: Not since the Jungle...
Review: Not since Upton Sinclair's Jungle has there been such a monumental discussion of the dangers of eating fast food or working in the industries that provide it. Page 197 sums up the danger in one chilling line "There is **** in the meat". Equally ominous is the court-backed ability of the industry to take away one's first amendment rights to criticize the meat packing and meat producing business as even Oprah found out.
Rating:
Summary: A truly insightful book!
Review: Funny and very smart. This is the best book I've read since Wade Bradford's "Enjoy Your Show"
Rating:
Summary: But wait a minute...
Review: I read the book and it sickened me---not because I'm a veggie-freak, but because I absolutely LOVE a good steak or a juicy burger. But now, I can't enjoy one without getting suspicious. I used to think America's food standards were the best on the planet. I was glad he wasn't "preachy" about meat-eating. He was actually very respectful to the ranchers that made a living from cattle. He aimed most of his criticism at the meat packing industry, and fast food companies. There are some weird sections, tho. Like when he says that due to increasing grain prices, they at one time fed the cattle cats and dogs from local shelters. Hmmm. Is it really cheaper to drive out to the shelter and get a few cats and dogs than to feed the cattle grain? I would think that the time and effort to truck in dead carcasses from an animal shelter, chop them up, and feed to cows would prove very inefficient compared to pouring out grain. I mean, if you really think about what's involved there, it just seems pretty infeasible. I *do* believe, unfortunately, that our farmers have been feeding the cattle dead chickens and pigs (and vice versa). How sick. Makes me ashamed of America! Our farm standards should be higher than that. C'mon guys, raise the price of a big mac a few cents, so we can pay our farmers some decent money. All in all, a very informative book.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for the knee-jerk vegan
Review: I bought this book hoping for validation of my vegetarian diet and opinions, but got something else entirely. Yes, the book details the inherent dangers in factory-farmed, industrially processed food, specifically the nasty stuff that gets put in meat--unintentionally and on purpose. But what struck me most in this book is how it details the human cost of fast food. Eric Schlosser touches on every aspect, from the pimply teenager working long hours behind the counter for low pay and no benefits, to the recent immigrant working in hazardous sometimes deadly conditions with no corporate regard for their safety--only the bottom line. To anyone considering a vegetarian diet, or for that matter even a socially responsible diet, this book is a must read.
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