If you do you'll probably find yourself saying, "Check please!" way before you're full.
What I wasn't ready for was the inhumane treatment of the employees, from companies that shut down franchises who were trying to unionize, to the ones where employees hours are monitored to make sure they don't reach 40 hours, and thus become eligible for any benefits.
I think the most outrageous part was about companies requiring employees who have just been injured in the job—who have had, say, their arm ripped off by a machine—sign a waiver promising never to sue the company before providing the employee with any medical care.
In their race for the bottom line, to make as much money as possible, fast-food chains are cheating consumers, employees, and leading to a more obese society.
Those sins and more are detailed in this book which I recommend everyone read. Just make sure you're not eating when reading it.
I give this book a 10.
Here's some related info about the book.
A review in Salon
An interview.
More on the book via Slate
Edited: PC
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I would also recommend fans of Schlosser read Reefer Madness.
2 - Scott Butki
A good friend of mine teaches at a community college and he assigns students to read Fast Food Nation, not because of its position on food but as an example of persusive writing and how good it can be.
Thanks for the reminder on Reefer Madness. I intend to read that one someday.
3 - Mat Brewster
Good stuff, Scott. I just finished Reefer Madness, and while not as good as FFN, it is certainly a good read.
I gave up fast food for a good while after reading this book, but I hate to say that I have since gone back to the trough. In a pinch places like Burger King are just too convenient to give up totally.
Oh, and Subway is so fast food.
4 - Bob A. Booey
I give Subway a pass from the criticism of the fast food industry. I hate fast food for the most part, but I love Subway.
It's relatively healthy too if you order right.
That is all.
5 - Jon Sobel
I too read Fast Food Nation fairly recently. Although I never eat McDonald's-type fast food anyway, the book completely turned me off to beef and even chicken. I too was prepared to learn disgusting facts about the source of the meat, but had no idea of the Dickensian labor practices in the industry, which really puts the nail in the coffin for me - we have the right to eat whatever crap we want to put into our stomachs, since we're only harming ourselves, but when the industry behind it is so evil, the issue takes on a whole new dimension.
6 - sharly farley
Eric Schlosser had a great interview in the features section of the DVD "Supersize Me". When asked why healthy food was so expensive, he answered "because the other stuff is subsidized." That's right, folks. We pay to subsidize the beef and sugar and corn oil industries. Fruits and veggies aren't. The good news: that tomato sauce on the pizza really is healthy - see "Your RealAge Makeover." Fast food is terrifically aging. Should you care.
7 - Phillip Winn
I enjoyed this book a great deal -- but Schlosser jumps back and forth between advocacy of socialism (see the chapter on Disney) and real health concerns, which I think blunts his message somewhat.
8 - Scott Butki
The movie version is coming.
9 - Scott Butki
At my fotolog I just posted my New Year's resolutions and it included trying again to give up most fast food.
10 - Scott Butki
Meanwhile, there is a new problem:
Defining what is and isn't fast food.
11 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Speaking as a former restaurant manager, I can tell you that most restaurants you eat in serve "fast food" packaged not to look like it.
Sample: Pre-cooked spaghetti sits in the cooler with portions of various sauces. Heat (for about a minute in an industrial strength microwave, and serve. Fast food!