About the Author

Jane Jacobs is one of the most original economic and sociological thinkers of our day. Her books include the classic The Death and Life of Great American Cities and, most recently, The Nature of Economies, both of which are available in Modern Library clothbound editions. She lives in Toronto.

Reviews

“When people ask me what has happened in my long lifetime I do not refer them to the newspaper files and to the authorities, but to [Sinclair’s] novels.” —George Bernard Shaw

"When people ask me what has happened in my long lifetime I do not refer them to the newspaper files and to the authorities, but to [Sinclair's] novels." -George Bernard Shaw

Gr 6-12-The video provides background information as well as video clips of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Initially Sinclair had published an article in the newspaper, Appeal to Reason. Editors asked him to do additional research on labor in the meat industry. Disguised as a worker, Sinclair was appalled at what he discovered. He combined the tragedies he found into those experienced by one fictional family. The novel, as well as Sinclair's continued fight, resulted in the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. In addition to a brief description of the book's characters and plot, the program gives biographical information about Sinclair. Commentary by consumer and industry advocates as well as labor historians explain why the book had such a major impact. The use of film clips and "snapshots" is well done. Lots of valuable information is packed into a short time, but is more than cursory. Discussion questions appear onscreen at the end of the video. It could be used prior to a class reading of The Jungle or in classes in American history at the secondary level where muckraking is covered.-Kathy Akey, Clintonville Senior High School, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.