|
| 
 enlarge | Author: Eric Schlosser
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $5.07
You Save: $9.88 (66%)
New (73) Used (214) Collectible (5) from $5.07
Rating:  1408 reviews
Sales Rank: 320
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0060838582
Dewey Decimal Number: 394.10973
EAN: 9780060838584
ASIN: 0060838582
Publication Date: July 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 What! It's about policies, not food? July 31, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I took a long time to finish reading this book. As a nutrition major in college, I really wanted to know what was wrong with fast food from an objective point of view. As expected, the book takes you through many turns that will surprise you. Many facets of the fast food industry started off in a humble, quiet sort of way. But when growth started coming, at exponential levels, fast food wasn't really about food any longer. It was just about public policy and business. McDonald's started the entire idea about marketing products to kids. Why? McDonald's and Disney were good friends. And did you know that Subway's main goal is to open as many chains across the globe as they possibly can?
I truly learned a lot of things about the fast food industry, the most poignant probably being the hidden events in the meat processing plants, with many illegal workers getting injured and even killed, and not being accounted for simply because they were never on the radar.
My hangup with the book though, is that it is a little too heavy on the statistical figures. It just made the book a little choppy and difficult to read much of in one sitting; besides, statistical figures are constantly changing, so by now even those figures reported are probably out of date.
But I have to say how glad I am for reading this book. It surely gives one a better reason to avoid fast food than simply avoiding carbs and fat.
 Food for thought July 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Schlosser attempts to explain the food industry: its origins, its workers, the supply of meat and potatoes and how these all have changed over the years. While I had already heard about the food side, I was surprised at how much time was spent covering the worker injuries and treatment both in the fast food franchises and in slaughterhouses. I did appreciate the whole picture approach and would recommend the book. However, there are at least 2 drawback that I can see.
Although there are many statistics, the book is very anecdotal. It is very negative towards politics and especially republicans, but then relies on legislation and increased government for solutions.
 A shocking look at how fast food has impacted our culture and nation July 24, 2008
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.
A thoroughly enjoyable read! But could be a little less end of the world in its tone. July 9, 2008
This book is an expose into the seedy underworld of the American food system. It takes the reader throughout the massive infrastructure that is present in the United States and how the political clout that it wields is unnecessarily putting our health at risk. The message is an important one to cast and we as Americans should be absolutely apalled that things have gotten this bad. That being said I felt that his tone was to dreary and at times he focused to much attention on minute details that took away from his key message. I definately recommend that you pick it up. Don't be surprised if you have to walk away at times because of being overwhelmed by both the nature of the subject as well as his slow and meandering writing style.
 Snorefest. June 23, 2008
0 out of 10 found this review helpful
... I am honestly flabberghasted this book has such a high rating. I had to read it for a school seminar class and I was only able to read the first half. Even that was a struggle. But I had to stop after that. I just couldn't take the drone any longer. A large portion of my classmates didn't read it and the ones that did skipped the first half and just read the second half which was apparently more interesting. But whatever; I don't even care. This book is not worth money or reading time.
|
|
|
The Outpost Network | |
