Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
Book Review: A look inside a cultural phenomenon
Summary: 5 Stars
Eric Schlosser does a very good job educating the reader on the business and social aspects of the fast food industry. The book is split into two parts: the first discussing the history and expanding popularity of fast food franchising, the industry's targeted marketing to children to build a habit that lasts a lifetime, the operations of fast food restaurants (with the emphasis on production throughput and low-skilled employees), and the pressures faced by franchisees (failure rates for franchises are higher than independent businesses, contrary to public perception).
The second part of the book covers the value-chain of the fast food business: from the farmers who plant the potatoes and raise the cattle to the workers that process the livestock into frozen patties. There is an interesting chapter that discusses the science of food flavoring, and dispels consumer impressions that "natural flavoring" is somehow better or safer than "artificial flavoring." The concentration of power in the food processing industry is alarming, leading to abuses of power that manifests itself in employee compensation, working conditions, as well as food safety for consumers. For example, (under Colorado law, where much of the nation's beef is processed) a workplace injury at a meat processing plant that results in a "serious permanent disfigurement about the head, face, or parts of the body normally exposed to public view" entitles the worker to a maximum of $[...]. This is appalling. The author backs this up with several stories of individuals that give the reader a more personal feel of the plight of workers in the industry.
Although one may empathize with workers in the industry, the author strikes it closer to home when he discusses what's in the meat we eat today. In a USDA study, "78.6% of the ground beef contained microbes that are spread primarily by fecal material." In others words, you can get sick from eating a hamburger that's not well-cooked because there is literally sh*t in the meat.
So what do we make of all of this? The author, in the end, is advocating consumer activism. While the government is hampered (via powerful lobbies) in its ability to impose higher standards of worker safety and food cleanliness on the food-processing oligopoly, large fast-food chains like McDonalds (with their enormous purchasing power) can exert the necessary pressure to exact change. And why would McDonald's do this? Because it answers to its customers - the consumer. We have a say because we can vote with our wallets.
Book Review: A must read before you order your next fast food burger
Summary: 5 Stars
"Fast Food Nation" is well-written, well-researched, and applicable to more than just the food we order and eat today. It provides a secondary hypothesis (against the backdrop of the urban sprawl of Colorado Springs) explaining reasons cities developed in the 20th century the way they did - as driven by fast food development along with the supply chain organizations supporting it.
The book maintains a constant theme with enough twists and human interest added to keep the reader engaged. It covers a variety of related topics within the subject that help support the thesis. Anyone who has eaten at a fast food restaurant (especially in the inner city) can relate to "Fast Food Nation."
The book presents a doomsday scenario which may not be too far off of the mark (and is addressed by the author in a new afterward in the paperback version addressing Mad Cow Disease). The logic Schlosser uses throughout the book highlights some significant problems with the industry, many of which must be addressed to turn the industry, and supporting supply chain industries, around. He provides some suggestions about what needs to happen to make those changes.
It's hard to believe that the industry can be so rife with dangers and apathy from within, but Schlosser's research and well-positioned arguments make his theories and observations hard to refute.
Book Review: A real page-turner, especially if you like horror stories
Summary: 5 Stars
Couldn't put it down, especially after the visual amplification provided via the film version. I did yawn a few times through some of the more scientific or redundant passages. Which meant little, relative to the importance of this document. I understand the reviewer who said the overall effect can be depression/feeling completely daunted. Yet after reading this I went vegetarian(after being partly, and boycotting McDonalds, etc., for years). I experienced an unforgettable turning point. There's no way I can forget the long-term, global repercussions of supporting any restaurant or store engaging in/supporting/profiting from these practices, and I certainly don't want to subject my body to the results. I already knew some of what Schlosser reveals, and he reveals more truth than anyone wants to know. And, btw, I've always felt Ronald McDonald was a sinister figure whose effect is partly to intimidate children into compliance (think of the Simpsons episode where Bart cries, "Can't sleep - clown'll eat me!"). The film, Supersize Me! and the book, "Diet for a Gentle World" are good adjuncts.Book Review: A shocking look at how fast food has impacted our culture and nation
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: A shocking study of the American food industry
Summary: 5 Stars
First the author traces back the origins of the fast food industry with the brothers McDonald. The fast spreading of food chains has wiped out many small businesses and eliminated regional differences scattering identical stores throughout the US. Customers today are drawn to familiar brands in food by an instinct to avoid the unknown.
Mr Schlosser then discusses marketing issues and it is interesting to know that 3.5 million fast food workers are by far the largest group of minimum wage earners in the US. He also explains why these jobs are particularly sought after by high school students.
The author describes in full detail the atrocious working conditions in the meat packing industry. Farmers and cattle ranchers are losing their independence essentially becoming hired hands for the agribusiness giants.
The fast food industry has been a catalyst to the malling and sprawling of the West and has played a central role in the rise of franchising and the spread of obesity.
A very interesting study for readers who would like to give fast food a thought before ordering their next hamburger.