Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America
May 17th, 2008 Posted in Paperback
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NO1CPA
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
Average Customer Review: 
(From 60 total reviews)
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Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
The literary debut of the funniest and most incisive new voice to come along since Michael Moore-and the acclaimed director of the film phenomenon of the year.
Can man live on fast food alone? Morgan Spurlock tried to do just that. For thirty days, he ate nothing but three “squares” a day from McDonald’s as part of an investigation into the effects of fast food on American health. The resulting documentary won him resounding applause and a worldwide release that broke box-office records. Audiences were captivated by Spurlock’s experiment, during which he gained twenty-five pounds, his blood pressure skyrocketed, and his libido all but disappeared.
But this story goes far beyond Spurlock’s good-humored “Mc-Sickness.” He traveled across the country-into schools, hospitals, and people’s homes -to investigate school lunch programs, the marketing of fast food, and the declining emphasis on health and physical education. He looks at why fast food is so tasty, cheap, and ultimately seductive, and what Americans can do to turn the rising tide of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes that have accompanied its ever-growing popularity. He interviewed experts in twenty U.S. cities-from surgeon generals and kids to lawmakers and marketing gurus-who share their research, opinions, and “gut feelings” on our ever-expanding girth and what we can all do to offset a health crisis of supersized proportions.
In this groundbreaking, hilarious book, “benevolent muckraker” Morgan Spurlock debuts a wry investigative voice that will appeal to anyone interested in the health of our country, our children, and ourselves.
Customer Reviews
Wow! This is a great book! by W. Koenigsmann
Morgan Spurlock is either a very good, honest, wholeheartedly courageous man, or he’s just another fraud. I’d like to believe he is not the latter, because I’m so used to frauds nowadays. If anything, his book is nothing short of a masterpiece. That may seem rather dramatic a thing to say, but I truly think this book is one of THE most important books ever to be written in the history of modern mankind. Anyone who can argue with its points has to be evil in some ways; you just cannot justify all of these big companies who are influencing our nation (and children) to eat junky food without being evil. You also cannot justify the cruel “farming” or meat industries without having a touch of badness to you. As for the writing itself, Spurlock has a gift for words and sometimes occasional humour that is refreshing. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Very Educational, and Very Funny. by Gary Peterson
In the summer of 1970, my doctor said I was overweight and needed to lose about 30 pounds. I was 35 and weighed 195. He prescribed diet pills to curb my appetite. It worked. In two months I was down 30 pounds, and the diet pills were a fun experience. Of course, when I went off the pills and back to my normal lifestyle my weight went right back up. At that point, I became interested in nutrition and fitness and started reading books along those lines. Adelle Davis and Carlton Fredericks pop into my mind. There were others. Later, I read “The Fat of the Land” by Michael Fumento. I had developed a taste for books that muckraked through the American way of life, particularly that part which centers on food, nutrition and physical fitness. It’s been a worthwhile education.
A couple years ago, I greatly enjoyed Morgan Spurlock’s wonderful documentary movie/DVD “Supersize Me.” It should be required viewing for all Americans. Then about a month ago, while browsing through the bargain bins of a large bookstore, I stumbled upon Spurlock’s “Don’t Eat This Book” for only $5.98. It’s well worth it at twice the price. I bought it in an instant. This book, of course, is the companion to the “Supersize Me” movie/DVD.
All of the books or DVDs say about the same thing, but they say it in very different ways. Americans eat too much and they don’t get enough exercise. Thus 2/3 of Americans are significantly overweight and the problem is getting worse every decade. Just look around you. In addition, the typical American diet is overloaded in fats, sugars. salt and deficient in fiber, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Everyone seems to know this but solving the problem is another matter. Morgan Spurlock dips his oar into the murky water. I don’t know that he sets forth anything that’s new and startling, but he comes across as an excellent spokesman and provides information of which every American should be aware.
It’s a good book. It’s well written. He has good knowledge of nutrition. Plus, he’s very funny while being deadly serious. The book is very entertaining at the same time as very educational. It’s an unusaul combination. Spurlock takes on “big food,” “fast food,” congress, the USDA, the FDA and a host of other organizations that tend to rule our lives in one way or another. Read his account and then think about what he says. It may change your lifestyle for the better. Then read it again and again over the years just to maintain your lifestyle in a reasonible direction.
As a major part of the movie/book, Spurlock spent a month eating at the “Golden Arches.” Every meal. If anyone suggested supersizing, he went along. Then he and a group of doctors/nutritionists chronicled what happened to him over that month. If you eat in any fast-food restaurants, or any restaurants for that matter you should read this account. It’s eye opening, plus it’s funny. Mickey D comes in for most of the pointed criticism, but the same thing could be applied to all. Personally, I think he came down a little too hard on Subway. After all, if you’re knowledgeable you can get a perfectly acceptable meal there. Plus, it you really have to have a hamburger now and then he could have mentioned that In-and-Out makes theirs out of all fresh ingredients. But he was an easterner, and that’s mostly in California.
Ugh! I’m lovin’ it by Len
This book is entertaining and informative. If you enjoyed Supersize Me the movie, you’ll be equally satisfied by Don’t Eat this Book. It goes into gory detail on Spurlock’s 30 day McDonald’s binge, and includes a wealth of other information such as -
- the often creepy workings of the food industry and its lobbyists
- disturbing trends in eating habits, both in the US and internationally
- the obesity epidemic, most importantly the danger to children
- the incredibly pervasive influence of McDonald’s on global eating habits and nutrition
I listened to Don’t Eat the Book unabridged on audio, narrated by the author. Spurlock is incredibly funny in his tone, inflections and enthusiasm. He’s the perfect reader for this material, bringing it to life in a way that underscores the serious danger of consuming too much fast food, while being upbeat and entertaining.
Look Out Mickey-Ds! by Book & Music Lover
There was in recent years an attempt by some obese people to take McDonalds to court, along with Burger King, Wendy’s, and many other fast food establishments. So in stepped “Big Brother”, in this case our government to put a stopto this foolishness. The result the McDonalds law.
I am not sticking up for McDonalds, or any other fast food joint, but I do say that I believe it to be the basic responsibility of us as consumers to know what we are putting in our mouths, and what if anything said effects will results. There is no gun at our heads, but it has been reported some additives are placed in these fast foods to cause addiction. The biggest of these is “High Fructose Corn Syrup”, which hides in everything from soft drinks, to ice cream, and because of the way this substance is processed, has become a number one cause of diabetes.
When they say “Have It Your Way”, that is a death bell ringing loud, and clear. Obesity is out of hand, and food producers are railing aganist “Eat Less Exercise More”. The deadly combination of white bread, and deep fried foods, fried by the way in “Hydrogenated Vegetable Grease”, is a Cardiologist dream, because he/she can now buy that new Benz he/she has been eyeballing. Then there is the international 4 billion dollar a day ‘diabetes industry’, and wow.
First we go to Mickey-Ds, and then the doctor’s office, and then the graveyard. How’s that?
These companies have only one intent, their bottom line, no concern for you or your family. Seems we as individuals care little about our own well being, because few of us have taken the time to educate themselves. What this dead food is doing to our health, and just how much the existance of these fast food joints is costing our society as a whole. Instead of cheers when the report came out that Russia and China had opened fast food outlets in their nations, we should have been shedding tears.
This book is a good place to start to educate one’s self, and how to improve the quality of one’s life. Too many of us take for granted nursing homes must be in our futures, as a fact of life. Truth is we through our own actions, or inaction write that ticket. The information exists, we need to look for this life extention knowledge. Not to say we will live to be 100, but even when we do age, there can be quality to life in general.
Many facts exist here, and many lies in the media are passed on, and few of us question the print ads, or the commericals on TV and radio. Question everything the media presents, and read books such as the one here, there is a lot from both sides of the fence, and one side has never met a lie it would not tell on behalf of the bottom line.
This is a revealing book to say the least, and too many fast food outlets are selling death on a bun. If you have children, first read, and then share this book with your children. Help them to make good choices when it comes to food.
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