This is a work of brilliant investigative journalism. I had no idea of the corruption and greed that drives the fast food industry. I am frightened by the apparent degree to which these large restaurant corporations control my government.
Schlosser’s expose is a fascinating, fast read. The facts roll in like waves against the shoreline, relentless and never-ending, building a case against the industry that could fuel a Congressional investigation for weeks. The book’s “Notes” and index constitute 60 pages — about one-quarter as much as the narrative.
Still, for all the rapid-fire detail, the text is engaging, even compelling. Schlosser describes the industry’s origins and evolution, paints a frightening picture of the current status, and concludes with some pointed recommendations on how to fix the things that are very badly broken.
I stopped eating at fast-food restaurants in 1994, and so before I read this book I thought that, as evil as the industry might be, it didn’t affect me. I was wrong. It is impossible to live in this world and not be (adversely) affected by the fast-food industry. For example: fast-food companies target advertising at children, to addict them to the high-fat diet that will keep them coming back for the rest of their lives. (Think about the costs of healthcare for a nation of obese people, e.g. America in 2001.) Another example: fast-food lobbying prevents the government from instituting any reasonable health-safety laws; therefore, meat and poultry processing plants, on average, are infested, unhealthy, disgusting places, and the meat and poultry you eat is likely to be contaminated.
Whether or not you eat at these restaurants, you should read this book. It will open your eyes. And change your diet.
Patronize these links, man:
posted to area: Non-Fiction
updated: 2001-08-27 19:00:00
