The author expertly combines facts and first hand reporting into a chatty narrative of why we love our fast and cheap food, and how this dependance has changed us. The book is as much about culture as it is about food.

This book is accurately subtitled The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Not a fun read, Schlosser's expose lends itself to discussion not only of the meat packing industry and of government inspection and regulation of the food supply but also of many other pressing issues. Business ethics is one such topic. In particular, what responsibilities, if any, do employers owe to their employees? What should we do about advertising directed at children and how can we protect children without undermining the 1st Amendment? Who is responsible for the obesity of Americans? Should the government be in the business of banning certain types of foods? These questions are as relevant now as when this book was written. Not for the average book club. Recommended for book clubs that enjoy getting into serious discussions of public policy.