The Jungle

By: Upton Sinclair

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the dramatic exposé of the Chicago meatpacking industry at the turn of the century that prompted an investigation by Theodore Roosevelt, which culminated in the pure-food legislation of 1906.

The Jungle is the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Slavic immigrant who marries frail Ona Lukoszaite and seeks security and happiness as a workman in the Chicago stockyards. Once there, he is abused by foremen, his meager savings are filched by real-estate sharks, and at every turn he is plagued by the misfortunes arising from poverty, poor working conditions, and disease. Finally, in accordance with Sinclair’s own creed, Rudkus turns to socialism as a way out.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The most famous, influential, and enduring of all muckraking novels." ( Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature)

Hits a mark unexpected

This is a classic story written to advance Socialism in the early 20th Century but gave birth to the FDA and raised national awareness about food equality. Opens the window on living conditions of immigrants to Chicago and to Chicago politics. Puts me in touch with what my grandparents might have experienced. I read this once a year.

ENGAGING AS EVER

I first read this book when I was in college about fifty years ago. It is especially interesting to re-engage it when Bernie Sanders, a democratic-socialist, is running for President. This book helped usher in the badly needed Progressive Movement. It advocates the need for pure food protection, worker protection and respect and the benefits of Socialism. If propaganda ever has value, this is it. Grover Gardner does an excellent job as narrator.

Should be require reading

I wish I had read this book when I was 21 years old rather than in my 40s. So much of what I learned by traveling overseas and working with the poor in my own cities here in America are found in the pages of this book. Had I read this as a younger woman, I would have understood so much more about American history and why we have so many departments in our government and why the older women I know fight so hard for women's rights. Make no mistake, this isn't a book about just women's rights… It is about the human condition… The American worker, the immigrant, the melting pot, the working poor, the nonworking poor, women, children, the criminal class, and the owners... can't forget about them. And it's written with the clear language of a journalist. If I were a teacher, I'd make it required reading in high school. A parent would complain because of "mature themes"… But I'd fight even harder to keep the book in the schools. It is not a perfect book… But it is a perfectly important read for all.

I never thought this book would be this good

loved it. The great American story/struggle. very pertinent to our times. compelling story. great narration

nostalgic

It's 2016 and the tone of today's political issues in the USA echos the tone of this story written a century ago.

Great Book and Narration

I really appreciated how clearly the narrator spoke. The fact that they changed their voice for different characters was very helpful.

Well Done

The reading of this book was well suited to the nature of the book. I'd have considered it dry reading normally, but the reader's voice suited the story better than someone more animated. This took me a chapter or two to realize. The very beginning was sluggish, but the majority of the book was a fascinating inspection of the history of the meat-packing industry and industrial labor in general. At times the story was grotesque and at others heartwrenching. I was captivated fairly well throughout but lost interest in the last hour, when the focus shifted entirely to promoting Socialism.

Overall, I'm glad I listened to this book. It was educational and is definitely important to include in my library.

A Classic

I can see how this story is considered so important. Excellent story narrated quite well.

Heartbreaking

The horrors the characters experience in this book are haunting. Crucial reading to understand the history of working people in this county. And why all working people must rise up together - our unity is our only salvation!

Also, tremendous narration. Old timey sounding a bit with the slightest twinge of a smirk. Exactly the right tone for the book’s content.

Socialist propaganda

The misery of capitalism just keeps coming. Whining and more undermining the argument of socialism. Simplistic moralizing. I’m sympathetic to some goals of socialism but this book was both well written yet tiresome. Also highly racist with many two dimensional characters.