I should have read it sooner. I know… but I never got around to it. Last week I poked though the book shelves at the Salvation Army and bought a $0.50 copy of ***Fast Food Nation|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060938455/worldwidewood-20***.
Eric Schlosser goes all out in his book to air all the dirty laundry of the fast food industry. He includes stories of the foundings of many restaurants, a “Jungle” style report on the meat processing industry, and anything you’d ever want to know about E.coli O157:H7 (and more!)
I don’t consider myself to be one of those staunch social activists who will preach to all who will listen about the evils of Fast Food, but I have to admit, some of the stuff Schlosser brings up is a somewhwhat convincing. If only I could get delicious, addictive french fries for a buck from the organic store!
Whether or not you think you might want to give up fast food I think that this is still a good book to check out. I learned much more about meat packing and french fry making than I ever expected to. There are also some underlying social themes as well. While reading “Fast Food Nation” I was reminded of another book that I read in college, ***The McDonaldization of Society|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761988122/worldwidewood-20***. Both books tackle social and economic issues brought about with the introduction of fast food into the American culture.
This is good stuff. It has the potential to spark some long and involved conversations. If I was back at the ***OE|http://www.oregonextension.org*** I’d be ready to jump in. As it stands, however, I’ll be content to chat about it with Peter…or anyone else who’s interested.
You know, I heard someone talking about this book on Saturday! I heard that between it and watching the documentary “super size me” that one would be convinced to think more than twice before pulling into a fast food parking lot. (but at the same time, I know what you mean about the french fries. I can do without the rest, really, but the fries get me sometimes.) I’ll have to take a look at it at some point… although the pile of books that I am attempting to read seems to be multiplying like bunnies… Can’t I just quit my job and read? 😛
I read the book when it first came out, and other than a business trip during which my co-workers forced me to eat at McDonald’s twice in one day, I’ve managed to steer clear of the place ever since. Not that I liked it much to begin with. Other than In-N-Out, I now consider myself a content slow-foody. 🙂