Fast Food Nation Is Worth Reading

Jon Smith

AP Language Period 4

Mr. Robson

July 30, 2015

Fast Food Nation is Worth Reading

The book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, tells the story of two long years of research exploring everything to do with fast food, from the production of french fries to the appalling conditions of the meat slaughterhouses. Schlosser makes the work worth reading by unveiling the truth and sharing facts that most Americans don't know. The book inspires readers to look beneath the surface of our food system. Schlosser’s use of storytelling actually makes the history and the boring facts surrounding fast food interesting and keeps the story engaging. Not only is the work well written but the content is  captivating, educational  and thought-provoking. This book is definitely worth reading since it is relatable and makes the reader feel something.

Schlosser traces the history of chains like Carl's and McDonald's and shows their  influence on American culture. He also discusses how the modern fast food industry works.  Schlosser not only shows what happens when you eat fast food, he also explains the process of producing it. He outlines the bad conditions in the meat packing facilities, not just for the animals but also for the worker. He explains how the business of fast food has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry and is now a big part of the American culture, economy, and politics. The book's main focus is what a thoroughly bad product fast food actually is. Schlosser develops the theme of how unhealthy burgers, french fries and other fast food items are. By adding his unique voice to the facts and statistics, Schlosser illustrates the history of fast food franchises, their effects on meat and potato production, and on people’s lifestyles. He unveils the details of how the meat in our supermarkets and restaurants is processed.  In addition to explaining the origins of fast food and where companies buy their food, he discusses the unwholesome food and the unfair working conditions of their employees.

The content is not only fascinating but educational; "Chicken McNuggets... derive much of their flavor from beef additives -- and contain twice as much fat per ounce as a hamburger" (140). The balance between the interesting fun fact facts and the disturbing truth makes the reader turn the page. The history of fast food is discussed, an important process because many people do not know where their food is coming from nor are they aware of the past dangers that have occurred which can happen again. He describes incidents like the Jack-in-the Box problem in 1993: “Over 700 people were made ill, over 200 hospitalized, and four died after eating hamburgers tainted with E coli 0157:H7. In the eight years since then he reports a half-million more cases, most of them children. Thousands have been hospitalized and hundreds have died”(316). It is nice to know information on something that has a huge part in many americans lives.