Excellent

The last sentence of the book (that I appreciate a lot) : 'Despite all evidence to the contrary, I remain optimistic'.

I feel like I have to disagree with the author here that a problem created by rampant capitalism can be controlled and/or fixed by more capitalism. This book is an indictment of both the capitalist form of economics and conservative American politics (personified mostly by the Republican Party). Fast Food is not the issue. Convenience is not the issue. The issue is a society which is entirely driven by greed, maximizing profits, and a complete disregard for Human life. The author never criticized Ronald Regan, although Regan's drive to deregulate the food and agriculture industry directly led to the death of children through tainted meat. The author seems to think that we, as consumers, can just simply demand McDonald's change, and they will - just like that - even though he spent pretty much the entire book talking about how corporations lie, manipulate facts, present false data, and otherwise do everything in their power to ensure that we are kept in the dark and know nothing about anything - and that they will sue to ensure it remains that way, as well as ensure that the right politicians stay in power.

Capitalism will not solve any of these issues.

Anyone who reads this book and still walks away a defender of the capitalist system (like the author) completely misses the point.

That this book, unlike its spiritual ancestor The Jungle, has failed to kindle any noticeable change in public policy towards the production of meat in America is a grim reminder that today's meatpacking villains are even more vile, and have much more powerful friends, than Sinclair's. Just like Sinclair's novel, this book has also failed to spark even the tiniest bit of rebellion against the inherent injustice of industrial capitalism. I can't say you should read it because it will probably just fill you with bland liberal outrage, but it's a very good primer on the myriad ways in which a fundamentally amoral system allowed to run wild has devastated the physical health and economic well-being of countless Americans. In that sense, it dovetails very nicely with No Logo, and can be read as a detailed case study of Klein's thesis as it applies to the fast food industry.

I read this back when it first came out, and then it was a major hit and it was really bringing something to the table. Now..I suspect its a bit dated, as with us all being very health conscious, hipster juice joints popping up all over the place like popping popcorn! This is great! I love hipsters! I love juice! But I'm gonna give it a 3 star as Its not fresh in my mind.

This book is making me hungry.

Determined not to let an imposing wall of acronyms block my progress, I forged on, ignoring my growling stomach, (which stopped growling when I read There's shit in the meat) and ended up underlining half the book, adding exclamation marks, question marks, exploding stars, asterisks, and enraged notations in the margins: How can they live with themselves!! and Those satanic conservative Republicans!! and Those Republicans AGAIN!! and every now and then yelling indignant outbursts of OH!!

Read this book to find out the multiple interesting ways fast food causes suffering and death. And one final thought: The Shiga Toxins would make a good name for a band.

Oh my GOD. You will never eat fast food again (or any processed food for tht matter). It is incredulous what food comapanies are getting away with - what they allow to get into the food they rpocess, the unscrupulous way they handle employees, the calaous way they treat consumers. Please read this book. Save yourself, your kids, our small farmers, and our planet. Put your money somehwere else.

Fast Food Nation is a really interesting and eye-opening book about how fast food affects our health, the workers, and the environment. Eric Schlosser does a great job showing the hidden problems behind cheap and quick meals, like unfair working conditions and the impact on small communities. The book is easy to read and keeps your attention, even when the facts are shocking. Sometimes it feels a bit one-sided, but it still makes you think about where your food comes from. A great read. 4.5/5 stars.

I started reading this book after having lunch at a fast food restaurant....

Have you ever been bored of cooking, would like to get away from stressful problem, trying to find a place where you can eat while your children can play, or trying to find a fast testable tasteful food? …..

I grew up in a country where rice is the staple food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My first acquaintance with fast food was in mid 80’s. School and work have brought me to different culture and different countries which forced me to survive to various tastes and culinary culture. But this first touch of fast food has sometimes become a ‘get-away’ path for me.

After long hours of studying (or dance practice), I still remember of having late supper at “three letters” fast food restaurant down at College Station Road, Athens (GA) with friends. Years after that during Eid, some friends and I were having dinner again at this ‘three letters’ restaurant in Newcastle, UK., because we were too busy and couldn’t find time to have a proper Eid meals. I also recalled couple of visits in this restaurant chain in Menado or Kendari after long weeks of hiking and staying in remote places of Talaud or Buton.

This book was not just about the food, but the whole industry related to fast food, the franchise, the packaging, the workers and their welfare, and the lethal E.coli !!!. Ouch! How lucky I was surviving from the possibility of facing the impact of this industry, at least to my health. Trend is like virus, very contagious. I am wondering if we’re having the similar problems in my country. Malls are everywhere, face-to-face. When one food vendor becomes popular, everyone wants to be in the first queue of tasting it and the others build similar types of stores or sell similar types of food. The use of borax in meatballs or tofu has drawn our attention to be more careful in selecting or buying our food.

Indonesian meals particularly home-made meals are still my preference these days. It is healthier but is time consuming to prepare especially like me who put the same seriousness in cooking as in studying. One thing I could not avoid, the potato products… Chips and fries… sigh!

I heard such great things about this book, but I have to say that I really had a hard time digesting it. Sorry, that pun was intended. It had so much gloom and doom and I really lost interest. Plus, I felt like I already knew more than half of the gross-out, oppressive factoids it spewed at me. The only part I enjoyed was when it talked about In-N-Out Burger and what a great employer they are and that John 3:16 is printed on the bottom of the cups. When I went to an In-N-Out and the clerk handed me my cup, I immediately flipped it over and saw the John 3:16 and then showed my two friends. The worker behind the counter asked what I was looking at and I showed him. When he said that he had no idea that those words were under the cups, it made me happy to know that In-N-Out wasn't forcing their religious beliefs down their workers' throats. Mmmm... For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only a juicy In-N-Out burger. Amen!

Two inaugural observations, to begin with.. Firstly, Schlosser's study spans the whole fast food supply chain, from the abattoirs that source the flesh, to the sweatshops that crop the frozen fries to the business headquarters that create marketing campaigns targeting children. He meticulously traces the industry's rise from the 1950s to its dominance in the late 20th century, revealing how fast food giants like McDonald's, Burger King, and others became beacons of American consumer culture, pushing for standardization and efficiency at the cost of human health and labor. Secondly, this tome goes beyond the mechanics of the industry and probes into its deep social effect. Schlosser paints an ugly picture of the working conditions in fast food restaurants, where low wages, long hours, and a lack of benefits dominate. He also discourses the exploitation of workers in meatpacking plants and the environmental degradation caused by factory farming. Additionally, this book studies how the fast food industry has deployed public discernment through marketing and lobbying, often prioritizing profit over the well-being of its consumers. This one, single book goes on to offer a convincing, painstaking examination of the fast food industry and its far-reaching consequences on American society, culture, economy, and health. Published in 2001, this investigative work uncovers the dark underpinnings of the fast food world, challenging readers to reconsider the apparently guiltless appeal of the rapid, expedient, and cheap meal. One of the book’s most striking insights is its connection between fast food and the broader American cultural and economic background. Schlosser shows how the fast food industry capitalized on post-World War II America’s drive for convenience and efficiency, aligning perfectly with the rise of corporate culture and the suburban ideal. In doing so, the industry not only reshaped how and what Americans ate but also influenced societal values around consumerism, work, and health. Schlosser also critiques the effect of fast food on global culture, highlighting how American chains have spread across the world, contributing to the homogenization of food cultures and health issues worldwide. The writing is attractive, yet detailed, blending investigative journalism with insightful analysis. Schlosser does not merely present facts; he humanizes the subjects, whether it's the exploited workers, the victims of diet-related diseases, or the corporations profiting from it all. His ability to combine data with personal stories creates a powerful narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is alarming. This book is not only an exposé but also a call to action. Schlosser’s work encourages readers to consider their food choices more consciously and to challenge the practices of an industry that has shaped the food system in troubling ways. The book raises questions about the ethical responsibility of corporations, the consequences of unchecked capitalism, and the cost of convenience. In fine, the author presents a provocative and eye-opening narrative that exposes the often unseen consequences of the fast food industry. Schlosser’s study provides valuable insights into the complexities of food production, ingesting, and the larger societal subjects tied to it. Whether you're a consumer, a worker in the industry, or just a worried citizen, this book offers an essential perspective on one of the most powerful industries in the world. Grab a copy and melt it down.

Horrifying, depressing, important. (And I still eat fast food when the mood strikes.)

Hello Propaganda

Although Eric Schlosser wasn’t paid 500 dollars by a socialist magazine, nor was he alive in 1904, his muckraking style and focused agenda mirror that of Upton Sinclair, the author of The Jungle. Characteristics that plague both Fast Food Nation and The Jungle include anti-capitalism, one sidedness, and convincing details that are enough to “make a vegetarian out of Arnold Schwarzenegger (Seattle Weakly),” or in Sinclair’s case, enough to launch a government investigation. Both Schlosser and Sinclair are examples of how large an impact journalism, or shall I say muckraking, can have in this free country we call America.
Despite their seemingly good intentions, however, it is impossible to ignore the overly romantic, even manipulative way Sinclair and Schlosser present their views. They feel the need to attack capitalism and “greedy companies” for every single problem we face, from disease to drug abuse. Schlosser goes as far as blaming armed robberies on McDonald’s policies rather than the criminals themselves. On the other hand, Schlosser portrays every single unskilled, blue-collar worker as a helpless victim, chewed up and spit out by evil companies. What’s more, I couldn’t help but notice that Kenny’s story from Fast Food Nation was remarkably similar to that of Jurgis’s.
But I am not fooled. I am righteous enough to challenge this propaganda and think logically for myself. Sinclair and Schlosser are trying to turn boss and worker against each other; they are trying to make enemies out of partners. There is no good guy or bad guy in this scenario. This is not a comic book; this is real life and real life comes with problems that we work together to fix. What saddens me most about Fast Food Nation is the prospect that all the time and research put into explaining, “why fries taste good,” could’ve been used to expose the live boiling of cats in China, or to enlighten underprivileged children on the importance of education.