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vaykay's review against another edition
2.5
Could've done more. Obviously, I read it almost 15 years ago and it came out over 20 years ago. I am being considerate of that in my review. I remember enjoying it, and it really changed my worldview as a 10-ish year old. Maybe I didn't need to read it then. Blame my family, I guess. I found it interesting, but also I remember (and have refreshed my memory by browsing through synopsis and reviews) that the book doesn't really cover the unhealthiness.
With the current amount of inflation going on with fast food restaurants (to the point that there are sit-in restaurants you can order out from for many dollars cheaper), I am reminded of this and think about what the author would say about the new levels of greed.
With the current amount of inflation going on with fast food restaurants (to the point that there are sit-in restaurants you can order out from for many dollars cheaper), I am reminded of this and think about what the author would say about the new levels of greed.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
One of the first non-fiction food-related books I read. It lead to an avalanche of food reads for me.
angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty well written - As long as you stay on your toes and recognize when you're being "sold to" politically, you can take a LOT away from this book that is incredibly valuable.
Many of the processes and facts that he presents have been very well covered in a range of other books, but I was most interested in the history of McDonald's dealings with the rare labour unions that do arise among their workers, the incredible lack of regulation within the meat industry that is assured by their enormous lobbying efforts (making health & safety regulations voluntary??), and the different world of law and personal rights that exists (or doesn't) within a meat packing plant staffed almost entirely by illegal immigrants. Fascinating, while sickening at the same time.
I also enjoyed the tidbits that I hadn't considered to be part his overall thesis, supported by facts I wasn't aware of - that McDonald's (while buying locally from farmers in the countries where its restaurants are located,) has exported its entire food chain / production ideas to establish supplier networks in the countries where it plans to expand years in advance of ever building a restaurant there, thereby ensuring that the local farmers take possession of the lion's share of the risk inherent in the system. (While this does make sense considering the sheer number of transactions any given McDonald's location handles every day, it also underscores the absolute necessity of a food production chain broken down into small, limited tasks that the restaurant can almost completely control, thereby supporting Schlosser's thesis.)
Again - If you can differentiate when small case studies are being blown out of proportion to imply the political "necessity" to control & regulate every aspect of the free market from the more unadulterated information, you'll appreciate this book, (If only with a little eye rolling here and there.)
I appreciate books that respect me as a thinking reader, and this one falls short here and there in that respect. For those interested in a more even handed approach that presents the facts and doesn't presume to make decisions for you, I highly recommend "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan.
Overall, "Fast Food Nation" is informative and entertaining - Oh - and I agree - I don't ever want to eat fast food again.
Many of the processes and facts that he presents have been very well covered in a range of other books, but I was most interested in the history of McDonald's dealings with the rare labour unions that do arise among their workers, the incredible lack of regulation within the meat industry that is assured by their enormous lobbying efforts (making health & safety regulations voluntary??), and the different world of law and personal rights that exists (or doesn't) within a meat packing plant staffed almost entirely by illegal immigrants. Fascinating, while sickening at the same time.
I also enjoyed the tidbits that I hadn't considered to be part his overall thesis, supported by facts I wasn't aware of - that McDonald's (while buying locally from farmers in the countries where its restaurants are located,) has exported its entire food chain / production ideas to establish supplier networks in the countries where it plans to expand years in advance of ever building a restaurant there, thereby ensuring that the local farmers take possession of the lion's share of the risk inherent in the system. (While this does make sense considering the sheer number of transactions any given McDonald's location handles every day, it also underscores the absolute necessity of a food production chain broken down into small, limited tasks that the restaurant can almost completely control, thereby supporting Schlosser's thesis.)
Again - If you can differentiate when small case studies are being blown out of proportion to imply the political "necessity" to control & regulate every aspect of the free market from the more unadulterated information, you'll appreciate this book, (If only with a little eye rolling here and there.)
I appreciate books that respect me as a thinking reader, and this one falls short here and there in that respect. For those interested in a more even handed approach that presents the facts and doesn't presume to make decisions for you, I highly recommend "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan.
Overall, "Fast Food Nation" is informative and entertaining - Oh - and I agree - I don't ever want to eat fast food again.
dragonlady60's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! An eye-opening account of what fast food is doing to our bodies, the environment, and the economy. A must read for any concerned with any or all of these areas. You will be changed before you finish the book.
tsunni's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Sections of this is really informative and made me feel incredibly disgusted, disgusted by all powerful self serving corporations, cutthroat sociopathic businessmen, politicians selling out to anyone who would fill their pockets, the incredibly cruel and sadistic exploitation and targeting of uneducated workers and children, a Mcdonalds advertisement leveraging the Holocaust, what the f? That's besides all the talk about the food.
Unfortunately the book meanders and meanders hard and often between all the interesting bits; I can kinda appreciate the tangents that are trying to provide context, but a lot of them get too far away from the topic and become incredibly dry and irrelevant.
Worth some skimming and skipping around for the food and consumerism bits.
Unfortunately the book meanders and meanders hard and often between all the interesting bits; I can kinda appreciate the tangents that are trying to provide context, but a lot of them get too far away from the topic and become incredibly dry and irrelevant.
Worth some skimming and skipping around for the food and consumerism bits.
casspro's review against another edition
5.0
Another commentary on the fast food industry. Reads more professionally than "Don't Eat This Book", which can translate to dry in some cases. I've used this as a reference to papers on genetically modified foods, which is terrifying beyond belief. Start with Spurlock and end with Schlosser. Baby steps.
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
Disturbing. This book makes you face the realities of parts of our food industry that you'd prefer to ignore.