Fast Food Nation

The Dark Side of the All-American Meal

By: Eric Schlosser

Narrated by: Rick Adamson

Fast Food Nation - the groundbreaking work of investigation and cultural history that has changed the way America thinks about the way it eats - and spent nearly four months on the New York Times bestseller list - now available on cassette!

Are we what we eat? To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar America. Though created by a handful of mavericks, the fast food industry has triggered the homogenization of our society. Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelling the juggernaut of American cultural imperialism abroad. That's a lengthy list of charges, but Eric Schlosser makes them stick with an artful mix of first-rate reportage, wry wit, and careful reasoning.

Schlosser's myth-shattering survey stretches from the California subdivisions where the business was born to the industrial corridor along the New Jersey Turnpike where many of fast food's flavors are concocted. Along the way, he unearths a trove of fascinating, unsettling truths - from the unholy alliance between fast food and Hollywood to the seismic changes the industry has wrought in food production, popular culture, even real estate. He also uncovers the fast food chains' efforts to reel in the youngest, most susceptible consumers even while they hone their institutionalized exploitation of teenagers and minorities. Schlosser then turns a critical eye toward the hot topic of globalization - a phenomenon launched by fast food.Executive Producer: Sherry Huber
Producer: Paul Ruben
Abridgment by Lynn Lauber
Jacket design: Martha Kennedy
Jacket photograph: ©Jim Scherer
Line Art: CSA Images
©2001 by Eric Schlosser
(P)2001 Random House, Inc.
Random House Audible, a division of Random House, Inc.

Ummm....yummy

The book starts off rather calm and collected, but builds, taking the listener through every aspect of the fast food industry -- from hoof to burger. By the end of it, the author is ranting with such force that you want to rise up with him and do your part. Even thought it is abridged, the book is satisfyingly long; after awhile, it becomes like your favorite hobby.

So what is a fast food nation? Apparently it has something to do with the American, homogenized, Disneyfied, McDonalised, oligopoly that we live in today. Drive down any main street in America, and you are likely to see the same retail stores, gas stations, and, yes, eating establishments. Urban sprawl seems to be driven by franchises, which function as military outposts on new suburban frontiers. Once they move in, the rest of the troops follow. And what is the cumulative effect of all of this blase cookie cutter culture on our standard of living here in the good old USA?

Well, something sinister, rest assured.

For example, our food supply is being controlled by huge corporations who have no respect for the American dream...NO respect, mister. Our children are being targeted from birth by an ungodly assortment of scientists, flavorists, and advertisers who will stop at nothing to add another body to the Matrix. Oh, yes, yes, it is all true. But, there is still time. You can walk out of that fast food restaurant before it gets you too -- you, you fat, overweight, obese, typical, American consumer. Put down that french fry! Put it down, I say!

Highly recommended. 4 stars = excellent.

What an eye opener! Disturbing yet enjoyable book

Amazing. I loved the research he put into this, and the stories about the corrupt meat packing industry (some references to the "Jungle"), and the crimes at Fast Food restaurants committed by their own employees. I also learned a lot about 'natural' and 'artificial' flavorings. As obesity is a hot topic these days this book would be a great supplement to understanding its problems. I got a bit tired of hearing about Colorado but it was interesting. I would also check out "Supersize Me" and its DVD bonus feature where you will find the filmmaker's interview with the author. I've been boycotting McD's and other fast food chains after listening to this book.. The narrator was excellent. He read in a good speed and had good energy.

Maybe different edition of the book recorded?

Unfortunately the audio book maybe was not the same edition as my physical copy? It skipped over chapters and paragraphs which was very frustrating. The actual book was very entertaining and informative.

Must Reading About Fast Food Eating

Well written and well read. You'll be sorry when it's over. Every parent who has ever taken a child to a fast food restaurant, needs to listen to (or read) this book, before going again. The worker abuses we thought went out with the early part of the last century, are alive and thriving under the golden arches and at their suppliers. If only 1/2 of what this book reveals is true, then we are fools and hypocrites for supporting this industry with our personal and tax dollars. I travel through factories in China and workers there are paid and treated better, than workers at your local Burger King.

good book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it teaches you a lot about fast food companies, and how they get there food