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pennykearns's review against another edition
5.0
This is sold as a book for middle grades, but is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in the beginning of the FDA and all of the legal squabbles - thanks to Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, other scientists, and women, mostly mothers, and Sinclair Lewis - who fought Presidents, Congress, manufacturers, and con artists. Formaldehyde, borax, salicylic acid, animal parts, bricks, rocks, cocaine, morphine, radium, charcoal, coal tar, and belladonna!!! in our food, patent medicines, and milk! Well researched, many primary sources used. Highly recommend.
angiebayne's review against another edition
4.0
Jarrow does it again with her fantastic nonfiction. The Poison Eaters is all about our food and medicines and the things that are in them. It is the history of the FDA told through the biography of Dr. Wiley. Dr. Wiley was a pioneer in safe, unadulterated food and an advocate throughout his career. It is because of Dr. Wiley and many others that our food doesn't have cocaine and rat poison and rotted meat in it. It amazes me that businesses would go to such an extent to make a profit that they would put just about anything in a can or package and sell it. The same goes for "tonics" and other over the counter medicines that were often just alcohol. Fascinating story about our food history.
lucakocsis's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Super interesting and easy to understand book about how food safety developed over the years. Only downside is that I wish it didn't cut off after the sixties
chuskeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Repulsive but compelling. The history of the USDA is a subject that I normally wouldn't voluntarily read about, but the author's narrative style is very engaging.
I knew a little about drinks and elixirs full of morphine, cocaine, and other amphetamines, but I didn't realize how many people died from these "cure-alls."
I thought the chemicals and garbage in today's food was bad - I had no idea what people actually eating through the mid-1900s (rat feces, insect parts, borax, formaldehyde, and other really gross stuff!). This book was truly enlightening.
I knew a little about drinks and elixirs full of morphine, cocaine, and other amphetamines, but I didn't realize how many people died from these "cure-alls."
I thought the chemicals and garbage in today's food was bad - I had no idea what people actually eating through the mid-1900s (rat feces, insect parts, borax, formaldehyde, and other really gross stuff!). This book was truly enlightening.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
This book strikes a perfect balance between carefully researched history, sensational stories of interest, and clearly presented information.
Follows the life of Harvey Wiley, the man who was the face of the pure-food movement, in his life as a farmer to chemist, to government official. His mission was to ensure that foods on the market were safe for consumption and did not misrepresent ingredients. He oversaw the creation of the FDA and dedicated his life to consumer safety.
A delicious exposé of corporate greed and early American consumerism.
Follows the life of Harvey Wiley, the man who was the face of the pure-food movement, in his life as a farmer to chemist, to government official. His mission was to ensure that foods on the market were safe for consumption and did not misrepresent ingredients. He oversaw the creation of the FDA and dedicated his life to consumer safety.
A delicious exposé of corporate greed and early American consumerism.
deemazztan's review against another edition
4.0
Really more like 3 1/2 stars. This information in this book could have been broken up into 2 books to give the modern era information its due. This author does an amazing amount of research.
veronicalathroum's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - Easily digestible and fascinating information on the history of the FDA.
momreaderh's review against another edition
5.0
Randomly checked out for my kids to read and read it myself in one sitting.