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A hard truth

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In Eric Schlosser's first devastating book on the malpractices of the fast food industry, he pieces together history, facts, and numerous sources to reveal some disturbing truths about their nature.

Fast Food Nation is less an expose` on how unhealthy junk food is than a look into the operations of the food industry, specifically McDonalds. The book is divided into two sections: the first, "The American Way," is concerned primarily with the growth and development of the fast food chains, beginning around the 40s in southern California and soon burgeoning into multiple restaurants across the US. Schlosser details the rise of the Speedee Service System, advertising techniques the emphasis on conformity by the chains, and their consolidation of power. The next section, "Meat and Potatoes," details various specifics about the machinations of the incredibly powerful fast food corporations. To the terrible conditions of workers in filthy (and dangerous) slaughterhouses, the employment of thousands of illegal immigrants in these buildings throughout the Midwest, and the diehard attempts by the corporations against possibilities of lawsuits by these workers after receiving any number of injuries. The companies further fight against the right to unionize.

While Schlosser doesn't focus on the naturally unhealthy nature of fast food, he does describe the abundant diseases that can be found in the meat, such as E. coli O157:H7. The causes for these pathogens are the environments in the above-mentioned slaughterhouses, particularly the fact that feces often finds its way into the processed animals, or sick cattle are used along with healthy ones. Near the end of the book, fast food's spread around the globe and its effects on the societies of foreign nations are described. This and much more are brought up and examined by the determined author.

As for the writing style, Schlosser has a great ability for scene setting, as in the first pages of the introduction where he describes the Cheyenne Mountain base, where it feels like it's some sort of sci-fi novel. This book never really drags, although in the epilogue his writing abruptly seems to become more lackluster. Other than that and repeating E. coli O157:H7 one too many times, this book can be a useful weapon against the fast food empire. I still plan to eat McDonalds, but I'll definitely be thinking more when I bite into one of their products.


A note: many people will likely believe this book to be biased against the Republican party. But the fact is that the conservatives have all to often aided the corporations in their power grabs and take over of rivals. The Republicans are always accusing the Democrats of striking down competition in the free market, but it should be blatantly obvious that by buying off their other powerful competitors the corporations suppress any "free market" activity.

The hard truth.

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If you eat fast food, you need to read this book to understand what you're really putting into your body. Even if you don't eat fast food, this is an important read for the sake of understanding how the fast food industry has changed what we are as a country, and what we're becoming. It is a remarkable reality check.

And you thought McDonalds was bad for you!

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You might think you know what this guy has to say, but rest assured that this book as full of surprises! It is also very interesting in a way that makes you read deep into the night.
The book doesn't only cover what fast food is doing to our health and families, but also at how it is changing industries across the world. It contains a shocking section on how minorities are being exploited, especially in the US meat industry.

It becomes more and more obvious how much research must have gone into the book, and it is refreshing, and maybe a little ironic, to see a product into which a lot of care and time was invested, especially in this fast-everything culture.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly, because it is interesting, well-researched, well-written, relevant and good value for money.

You'll never look at McDonalds the same way!

Food for thought

Customer Rating:
Schlosser attempts to explain the food industry: its origins, its workers, the supply of meat and potatoes and how these all have changed over the years. While I had already heard about the food side, I was surprised at how much time was spent covering the worker injuries and treatment both in the fast food franchises and in slaughterhouses. I did appreciate the whole picture approach and would recommend the book. However, there are at least 2 drawback that I can see.
Although there are many statistics, the book is very anecdotal. It is very negative towards politics and especially republicans, but then relies on legislation and increased government for solutions.

A shocking look at how fast food has impacted our culture and nation

Customer Rating:
It's unnerving how a few mega billion dollar corporations can control the food supply in this country. I was shocked by the dehumanizing conditions in the slaughter houses and the negative impact they have on the environment.
I can tell that the author has never experienced the working end of a grill spatula by how clueless he is to the business end of the industry, the people who are in the trenches. What manager has read I'm OK you're OK a book written in the 70's, please. Managers "stroke" their employees because of the age old adage, ya' catch more flies with sugar than vinegar. He's nailed the franchisees right on the head as far as never trusting the people who work for you.
As far as the McLibel case goes, they had a good point with the marketing of fast food directed at kids, a whole generation has grown up who think the only side dish is fries. The people who brought the case against Mickey D's were way too whiney, I'm sure they wouldn't last a minute over a hot grill during lunch rush, what qualiifies to talk about the working conditions in fast food resturants.
A must read for the poor bastards, like myself, who are in the industry and people who really are concerned about what they eat.