Fast Food Nation

Eric Schlosser narrates the book, and in some respects, it almost reads as a travelogue. In conducting the research for the text, Schlosser traveled far and wide, even going overseas to Germany to investigate how McDonald’s has fared in Europe. In general, Schlosser aligns himself as an investigative journalist and tries to maintain an objective stance. He does not eternally condemn the founders of fast food; in fact, he presents these men fairly and does not lay any blame for the current state of fast food at their feet. He likewise recognizes the reasons fast food is popular, namely that it offers cheap meals, and he does not begrudge people for indulging in the occasional trip to McDonald’s.

In many ways, the book serves as an antithesis to the public persona fast food chains have created over the years. McDonald’s, for example, built its empire on a family-friendly image, one that caters to families and offers jobs to teenagers looking to get a start in the world. In other words, its carefully crafted image is what the public sees. Schlosser’s text pulls back the curtain not just on McDonald’s but also on the industry as a whole.