Journal Entry 1 by mrtoadscoffee from Morrisville, North Carolina USA on Friday, March 21, 2003

makes me think twice but not thrice about eating hamburgers.... 

Journal Entry 2 by Vysion from Morrisville, North Carolina USA on Friday, March 21, 2003

My first successful "go hunting" trip and I found two books I'd been wanting to read.

YEAH!

Will read and review later.

Thank you, mrtoadscoffee.  

Journal Entry 3 by Vysion from Morrisville, North Carolina USA on Monday, April 14, 2003

Join the bookray for this book at:
my Fast Food Nation bookray

I am finished and definitely recommend it to those who do not want to be ignorant about what they eat (especially vegetarians).

Of interest:
-biography info on various fast food restaurants and their founders
-methods and consolidation of fast food material production (potatoes, beef, chicken)
-influence of smell on taste
-truth behind "natural" and "artificial" flavors and why they are always last on the ingredient lists.
-info on some people/companies bucking the consolidation trend
-an addendum for info since the hardback release to the paperback release that shows some reforms and how they worked

I'll be starting the book along the bookray soon. If you want to join, please add your name to the forum post listed above as that is the only definitive list.

Look to the forum post for the most recent listing, but I thought that after a year, I'd add the book's shipping history thus far:
Fast Food Nation has visited:
mrtoadscoffee- North Carolina
Vysion- North Carolina
squirrel818- Minnesota
cafemundo- Maine
bookcookie39- California
marinaw- Texas
nyisutter- Missouri
IACBY- Arizona
djf1968- California
Mojorisin2- United Kingdom
hawkette- Australia
RaftQueen- Wisconsin (currently reading)

And scheduled for:
wittyjean- Colorado
AmberLee17- California
Shendoah- California
nelka35- USA
yazi- USA
JesseBC- USA
busybooklover- USA
and then might just begin another international leg if busybooklover is willing:
GlasgowGal- United Kingdom

As always, PM the next person for their address and to verify that they still want it. 

Journal Entry 4 by squirrel818 from Tafton, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, April 28, 2003

I received this book as part of a ray and I've just finished reading it. While some of the topics discussed were interesting I already know that corporate America is corrupt and fast food is bad for you. I didn't really need to read another book on the subject and I didn't really learn anything new. I will pass it along to the next person in line. 

Journal Entry 5 by squirrel818 at to a fellow bookcrosser in Wilton, Maine USA on Monday, April 28, 2003

Released on Monday, April 28, 2003 at to a fellow bookcrosser in Wilton, Maine USA. 

Journal Entry 6 by Cafemundo from Wilton, Maine USA on Wednesday, May 07, 2003

Just received the book today, can't wait to start reading it! I will come back to make another entry soon :-) 

Journal Entry 7 by Cafemundo from Wilton, Maine USA on Wednesday, May 14, 2003

I am a “foodie” so this was a must-read
for me. I wanted to read this edition when
it first came out but I was put off by the statistics and the almost 72 (!) pages of credits, bibliography, notes, etc. I’m glad I got through it, though I did skim the facts I already knew. Meat is not the only product that’s tainted in our society – we all know that. There are many disturbing stories about: job conditions; the ingredients used in the oil to fry McDonald’s french fries; the beef, poultry, and pork processing plants; obesity in America; the globalization of our culture, etc. All things that should make us think hard about our lifestyles.
The sections I found interesting were the biographies of the “founding fathers” like Ray Kroc (McDonald’s) crossing paths with Walt Disney. Also, J R Simplot talking to Clarence Birdseye about freezing potatoes. My favorite chapter is “Why The Fries Taste So Good”, which exposes (as much as he can) the secretive, flavor design company, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).
I’m sure this book is used as a text in many university courses. Here’s an important quote: (p.269)
“Nobody in the United States is forced to buy fast food. The first step toward meaningful change is by far the easiest: stop buying it. The executives who run the fast food industry are not bad men. They are businessmen. They will sell free-range, organic, grass-fed hamburgers if you demand it. They will sell whatever sells at a profit…A good boycott, a refusal to buy, can speak as much louder than words. Sometimes the most irresistible force is the most mundane.”

Sending to next BCer bookcookie39 … Enjoy!
 

Journal Entry 8 by bookcookie39 from Simi Valley, California USA on Sunday, June 01, 2003

May was such a busy month for me I almost passed this book on to the next person on the Bookray without reading it, but I'm glad I didn't. It was actually a pretty fast read (no pun intended). The book is well-researched and written in a very accessible style. I found it interesting throughout, enlightening in some areas, and pretty depressing in others. It will make me think more about what I eat and where it comes from, although it may not change my habits substantially.

I will send this book on to marinaw as soon as I can get to the post office. 

Journal Entry 9 by marinaw from Dripping Springs, Texas USA on Monday, June 09, 2003

Received today from bookcookie39. Will get it mailed out to the next person by the end of this month. Really looking forward to reading it, in hopes it will scare me into cutting even farther back on the fast-food forays I can't seem to cease. [ouch! apologies for the alliteration] 

Journal Entry 10 by marinaw from Dripping Springs, Texas USA on Thursday, August 07, 2003

Many of the issues discussed in this book hit me hard personally. My consumption of fast food has increased over the last two years, and so has my weight (to the tune of 50 pounds). Granted, it is only one contributor, but cutting it out of my lifestyle can only help. I’ve been moving towards support of independent stores and producers, and the author has given me some leads to follow to that end. Getting off the fast food diet should also help in my quest to spend the leat amount of time on “the grid” as possible and walk a little more gently upon the earth (less garbage into the landfills).

I’ve never worked in a fast food place (the one stint as a busgirl in the town steakhouse was enough for me), and the anecdotes Schlosser includes really made me worry for those who go through their careers in that field. That, and the food processing industry must truly be hard on the body and spirit of anyone who works on the floor there.

As I’m adjusting to rural life and making motions toward homesteading, I can begin to understand what industry and urbanization has done to the family farm. Guess I can only hope that my husband and I can do enough to bring home less food from the grocery store.

Also interesting to learn were the stories of the founders of various restaurants and the companies that supply them. But then it always amazes me that business occurs on such a grand scale and how people “need” million$ to live.

It was good to read an updated version of this book; the author answered a few questions of mine in his afterword.

Google:
Beefmaster cattle
Lasater Grasslands Beef
In-N-Out
 

Journal Entry 11 by marinaw from Dripping Springs, Texas USA on Friday, August 08, 2003

Finally getting this to the post office today on its way to nyisutter.

What can I say? My slavedriver husband insists that I unpack boxes upon boxes of things we have 3 of!

Seriously, I apologize for the wait. 

Journal Entry 12 by nyisutter from St. Charles, Missouri USA on Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Received this in the mail today. Will read asap and send on.  

Journal Entry 13 by nyisutter from St. Charles, Missouri USA on Saturday, September 06, 2003

I finished this book tonight and hope to send it on to the next reader on Wed.

Thank you for the chance to read this book. Very interesting reading and it has certainly changed the way I will look at food in the future :). Our family has gotten into a habit of eating out way too much and hopefully the memory of what I read here will help us to break that habit and eat at home more.

The history of the founders and of the towns affected by the fast food industry was very interesting. I love history so found those sections fascinating.

I also found the chapter on the IFF interesting and thought provoking. I laughed when he said it reminded him of Wonka's Chocolate Factory because I was thinking the exact same thing.

I was most appalled at the advertising marketed toward children and the reports on the meat sold to schools. Makes me glad I homeschool! But it still angers me to think that people will put money before children's health.

Just a side note, by pure coincidence, the last "fluff book" I read (here) dealt with some of the issues presented in this book. That of the migrant workers employed by meat packers. This shed some light on some of the background for that piece of fiction.

Anyway, thanks again for introducing me to this book.

---Oct 1, 2003---
Mailed today. DC # 0303 0130 0000 0240 3742 

Journal Entry 14 by IACBY from Cave Creek, Arizona USA on Monday, October 06, 2003

Just received today!

Will read and send to the next person asap.

~IACBY 

Journal Entry 15 by IACBY from Cave Creek, Arizona USA on Saturday, November 15, 2003

This book had many interesting arguments. I would like to list some that I personally thought were interesting:

1) The reduction of employee and consumer's safety due to greedy profit driven behavior of large companies.

2) Monopoly and the insane (political & Economical) power of companies
2a) reduction of inspections
2b) the effect on small businesses
2c) the effect on the consumers
2d) The much too large power these companies possess over the people who should serve us, the people.

3)Globalization
What a sickening thought. Is our fast food truly our main asset? If we are to spread our values around the world, shouldn't it be our beliefs, our democracy, our freedom? Instead we allow the spread of the worst part of our society- greediness and very bad food.

4) Children as a powerful consumer
Taking advantage of children is just wrong. McD and its followers should find another way around it
4a) Large corp. in school-- support and donations should come from the heart, not from a strategy to get more consumers.

5) Diseases
5a) E. Coli (goes hand in hand w/lack of inspection)
5b) Mad Cow disease (and inevitably the question of what cows actually eat)
5c) Obesity

So putting it all together-- this was an interesting read, and brought some interesting thoughts to mind.

Will send to the next person as soon as they pm me their addy

*Update: sent 11/24/03-- sorry that it took me that long-- I had a busy week. 

Journal Entry 16 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Wednesday, November 26, 2003

This arrived in today's mail. I've got a few ahead of it in the book ring queue, but will get to it ASAP and get it back out on the road. I've heard & read some great reviews of Fast Food Nation -- looking forward to getting a chance to read it!  

Journal Entry 17 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Sunday, January 25, 2004

Just a quick note to let you all know this has emerged at the top of Mt. TBR. It looks like a relatively quick read, so I should have it back on the road before the end of the month. Thanks to all for your patience on this -- the holiday season was a hectic one. 

Journal Entry 18 by djf1968 from San Ramon, California USA on Sunday, January 25, 2004

Maybe it's the recent Mad Cow and tainted salmon news, or perhaps the fact that I just read the fictional Jennifer Government -- but although I already realize that corporate America isn't a bastion of morality and fast food isn't nutritional nirvana, I'm finding Schlosser's expose compelling anyway. While he exposes the less-than-honorable practices of the convenience/fast food industry, he reminds the reader that it ultimately comes down to personal choice -- the McFood warehouses across this country continue to thrive because there is a demand for their products and services. As long as we American's continue to "super-size it" in the name of value and convenience, we'll continue to suffer the consequences of an obesity epidemic. Thanks for sharing this -- I'll get it out to the next reader over the weekend. 

Journal Entry 19 by Mojorisin2 from Stevenage, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, February 16, 2004

Received today, thank you. I've been looking forward to reading this one and will journal again with my thoughts once I've read it. 

Journal Entry 20 by Mojorisin2 from Stevenage, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 26, 2004

Have tried contacting lelley but have had no reply. Am now going to contact the next person in the ray (hawkette) 

Journal Entry 21 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Has arrived with me...I was beginning to think it was lost... 

Journal Entry 22 by Hawkette from Ballarat, Victoria Australia on Saturday, September 25, 2004

A well researched book, that certainly makes you think about the processes behind the Big Mac your order in the air-con restuarants.

The workers' horrific injuries, unsafe conditions, "return to work" format (not), and efforts at anti-unionisation, and the dismal pay had the most stunning effect for me as a reader, and consumer.

The frightening accounts of the germs in the meat, and the meat handling practice also made me feel ill.

A lot of the time I kept thinking, "only in America", but I do know, deep down, that all this is universal. We do have tough Occupational Health and Safety laws here in Australia, and awards for pay for workers, so I feel confident that the picture is not as bleak down under.

However the Global pressure, the push for the dollar and cutting costs, and infiltration of the golden arches into the far reaches of the world, is very frightening. There is no McDonald's in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but surely it's just a matter of time.

The rags to riches story of the people originally behind the mega chains was actually quite interesting, although once the corporate dollar takes over, there is no stopping the juggernaut, is there?

The books calls for the end of advertising directed at children. Here, here! The growing focus on obesity here in Australia may just see that take shape. Fingers crossed - the aspects Schlosser pointed out are appaling.

I am PMing down the list to find the next person...surely someone who signed up is still with us here at BookCrossing, and hasn't already read it!! I think a renegade bookray has got a few of the next in line! Will send as soon as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 23 by RaftQueen from Mosinee, Wisconsin USA on Monday, October 18, 2004

Got this in the mail today... looking forward to reading it. Thanks!! 

Journal Entry 24 by RaftQueen from Mosinee, Wisconsin USA on Sunday, November 14, 2004

I found this book to start out interesting, but I quickly lost interest. It seems to be well-researched and the author seems to have great knowledge in the subject of fast food, but I felt more like it was a text book at times. I read enough text books for college, that I just couldn't force myself to continue reading this book. (Although, I found the history of McDonald's and Disneyland to be fascinating!)

I will be sending this off to Colorado over the next couple of days.