THE JUNGLE

THE JUNGLE by Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair's book, The Jungle, is eye-opening historical fiction into the immigrant world of 1906. Following a family of Lithuanians who come to America seeking freedom and opportunity, this read tells the story of the sobering reality for many immigrants who ended up working in factory settings. Arriving in America, strong with a seemingly unbreakable work ethic, they are quickly employed in various jobs around Packingtown (a slaughterhouse industry). Excited to purchase a home, they don't realize how much the industry owns them as they can never get out of debt. How are they making money? Their work conditions are atrocious. Every one of their jobs will steal their strength away and subject them to sickness or the potential of serious bodily harm. What began as a journey to freedom quickly becomes a slippery slide to a ball and chain hole of no escape.

This book offers a lot of great discussion topics such as what is the role of an employer, what is the role of an employee, is capitalism the enemy, is socialism the answer, what happens when we abuse the freedoms that we have been blessed with in this country, the role of government offices such as the FDA, what does God expect of us in each of the above situations if we claim to be Christians? You can go on and on!

HEADS UP- This book does have a sprinkling of language. It also deals with prostitution (a way to make a few extra bucks), alcoholism, and the underworld between the owners and the unions that are beginning to form.