The Jungle (Bedford Cultural Editions) [Paperback]

Upton Sinclair (Author), Christopher Phelps (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312400373 | ISBN-13: 978-0312400378 | Publication Date: February 3, 2005 | Edition: 1st

Upton Sinclair’s novel The Jungle, which inspired passage in 1906 of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, stands as a classic of twentieth-century American literature and social protest. In this accessible and thorough edition by Christopher Phelps, a critical introduction addresses the wide range of issues raised by the text, including early twentieth-century working conditions, immigrant community, race and gender, political reform, and the continuing relevance of Sinclair’s investigation. This edition uses the most widely recognized text of The Jungle — the Doubleday, Page edition published in 1906 — and provides an illuminating supporting document: President Theodore Roosevelt’s delivery to Congress of the official report that confirmed The Jungle’s shocking allegations about the Chicago meatpacking industry. Questions for consideration, a chronology, and a selected bibliography help contextualize Sinclair’s novel and provide students with resources for further study.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Phelps has written an excellent introduction that places The Jungle in a multitude of political, social, and literary genres, thus making the book accessible to all sorts of readers and useful within a multiple set of academic disciplines.' -Nelson Lichtenstein, University of California, Santa Barbara 'This is a remarkably well-researched introduction, written with passion and intelligence.' - Michael Kazin, Georgetown University

About the Author

CHRISTOPHER PHELPS is associate professor of History at The Ohio State University at Mansfield. A specialist in twentieth-century American intellectual and political history, he is the author of Young Sidney Hook: Marxist and Pragmatist (1997), in addition to numerous journal articles and reviews. Most recently, he edited and introduced Max Shachtman's Race and Revolution for Verso (2003). He has twice received the Fulbright Award: in 2000 to teach American philosophy and intellectual history in Hungary, and in 2004-2005 to serve as Distinguished Chair in American Studies for Poland. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; 1st edition (February 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312400373
• ISBN-13: 978-0312400378
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > History > Europe > Lithuania

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Jungle, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle (Barron's Book Notes) (Paperback)

This book describes the trials and tribulations that a mislead family faced upon coming to the USA. The family of 11 (give or take) falls for all the traps that the manipulating meatpacking town laid out for them and all their fellow immigrants. Not only does this book tell in great detail the grotesque practices that occur in the meat backing industry (some of which still continue today by the way), but tugs on your heartstrings as the innocent family falls apart... and becomes victim to Social Darwinism. Simply put- I really liked this book and feel that it is worth wile reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Jungle, June 5, 2000

By 

K. M. Lewis (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle (Barron's Book Notes) (Paperback)

This is perfect if you want to learn about the trials of immigrant families, the operations of the meat-packing industry, or need an example of a work by a muckraker in the early 20th C. The writing is very detailed and very graphic. Don't eat meat while reading, but it's well worth it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, November 29, 2009

By 

Ruggii (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jungle (Bedford Cultural Editions) (Paperback)

I first read this book about 8 years ago in a High School history class. Since then I have read it twice and I did a college thesis on it; it is one of my favorite books. The first time I read the hardcover book; the next two times I listened to the unabridged audiobook and enjoyed it so much better.