This book exposed the practices in the meat packing industry in the early 20th century, concerning many Americans. Sinclair wrote the novel after spending several weeks working incognito in the Chicago stockyards before publishing this first in a newspaper, then in a novel. A film adaptation was made, but has since been considered lost. 

This was a very well-written book, and was shocking as well as heart-breaking. Not only did Upton Sinclair succeed in painting a mental image of how horrifying life was for the working class during that time, but he also created characters that the reader becomes attached to, even going as far as referring Jurgis as "our friend" several times in the novel. Sinclair also succeeded in making me even more leery of proceed foods, even though times have obviously changed since then. Either way, an excellent read indeed.