Ted Genoways

I was nervous starting this book (for a local book club I recently joined) as my family lost the family farm during the 1980s Farm Crisis and I was afraid of the memories the book would conjure. However, such was not the case. In fact, I enjoyed learning about the intricacies of farming in the 21st century, things that were not part of my life 50-70 years ago, when I was growing up on a farm. My, how it is different and infinitely more scary today! I recommend this book for anyone with an agriculture background.… (altro)

Genoways looks at particular cases in the meat packing industry, specific workers and Hormel-supplying plants, delving into the workers’ struggles, the corporate responses, and the broader effects of these companies. Perhaps only the subtitle of the book was a lie; Genoways makes no attempt at a universal survey of agriculture today, and the book would be worse if he did. His writing style is smooth, with a placating professional tone occasionally broken by liberal outrage. After also reading [b:Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon|26109029|Pit Bull The Battle over an American Icon|Bronwen Dickey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1445789865l/26109029._SY75_.jpg|46054417], I’m beginning to wonder if this tone is an unavoidable result of experience or exposure to Virginia Quarterly Review editorial staff.
The book was better than I thought it would be, from what I know about Genoways. An interesting read, but no masterwork.
… (altro)