I just met Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser, ask me anything!

[liberalhistorian]

My almost-13-year-old son and I went to a local Joseph-Beth bookstore this afternoon for a book discussion and signing by Eric Schlosser, who wrote Fast Food Nation. It was for his latest book, Reefer Madness, but there was also a lot of focus on Fast Food Nation (which was a real, major eye-opener for my son and I).

It was, quite honestly, simply the best book signing I've ever been to, and I've been to an awful lot in the past twenty years, since I started building up my signed-book collection (I've met Toni Morrison, Allen Ginsberg, Myrlie Evers-Williams and Sister Jean Prejean, the nun who wrote Dead Man Walking, among many others).

He was VERY unpretentious and down-to-earth, unlike many other authors, and encouraged some real interaction between himself and the audience. My son and I were sitting right up front. He talked for about fifteen minutes, and then spent over an hour discussing both his books, and the one he's currently writing about the American prison system, and answering questions. My son asked some very penetrating questions, which surprised and pleased him (my son was the only child there and he was the one who'd wanted to buy Fast Food Nation last year in the first place).

I let Chris go ahead of me and he signed Chris's copy of Fast Food Nation with a wonderfully encouraging personal note. When it was my turn he expressed amazement at Chris and said "you've done a great job." He actually signed my newly-purchased copy of Reefer Madness (paperback, fortunately, since I couldn't have afforded a hardcover) with "To Lisa, whose son will do great things, all the best!"

[Gothic Sponge]

1. I'm in the middle of reading that book

So far, i love it.

[JohnKleeb]

2. has your son met any other celebs or politicans of sort?

I was shy around your son and you if you recall, we both have Aspergers, I remember him being here a while ago talking about it, he's a cool kid, he mentioned you had a learning disablity too, I have one myself also. Sorry for the rant but just aaying hi and saying your son is a cool dude, wish I could have been like that at that age. I havent read that book, I hear its good though.

[liberalhistorian]

6. Actually, he has, and he's not shy at

all, never has been. They tell me that, because he has little, if any social sense, he has no sense of embarrassment because he doesn't know what's appropriate or inappropriate, etc. He's always had a lot more guts than me in those situations, I tend to get tongue-tied around famous people or celebs, writers, etc.

And you are a cool dude, too, John, never forget it and never stop believing it! You'll get over your shyness, I'm sure.

[JohnKleeb]

7. ohh I must have the shy factor

I am extremely shy. I get very embarssed. I wasnt so shy around Kucinich, I did feel a little nervous, I was like Congressman Kucinich hey good luck, then I met him again, and he addressed me by name, that was the coolest.

[terrya]

3. Is he encouraged by the recent losses of McDonalds? And what does

he think of the film "Super Size Me", where the filmmaker eats nothing but McDonald's food for 30 months and ends up with all sorts of health problems?

Terry

[liberalhistorian]

8. Yes, he is, indeed, encouraged

by McDonald's problems, as am I. Neither one of us will ever eat a fast-food meal again, and we haven't since we read the book. I'm having trouble eating meat since reading the chapters about the meat-packing industry, its disgusting, filthy, and inhumane slaughter and packaging practices, and its horrendous working conditions. And he said today that what he actually put in the book was just the tip of the iceberg as far as that was concerned.

I haven't heard about the film you're talking about, but the results don't surprise me in the least. I don't think I could have taken even thirty days of just eating McDonald's, though!

[skooooo]

4. Do you want fries with that?

[liberalhistorian]

10. Only if they're not from

a fast food restaurant!

[Whitacre D_WI]

5. You want a burger?

[JohnKleeb]

9. I do

make it a buffalo burger with buffalo fries to go, and buffalo coke, simpsons joke/something that really happened/a joke on my photo.

[liberalhistorian]

15. Buffalo burgers, now those

are really good; I've had them when on vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They're handled a lot more humanely than cows, that's for sure.

[JohnKleeb]

18. I had them at this place that closed down a while ago

Da never took me back so I only went there once but damn that place was good.

[liberalhistorian]

11. LOL!

Actually, we're trying to stay away from meat as much as we can. I don't think we'll ever be able to cut it out entirely, but we've cut WAY down.

[Whitacre D_WI]

12. Make sure you put bacon and cheese on top!

And butter the bun!

[liberalhistorian]

14. Whoa, there

go the arteries! :evilgrin:

[skooooo]

13. One more question...

"...do fries go with that shake?"

George Clinton

[Zinfandel]

16. Yeah, I met him briefly when he was here in Humboldt County

an aware, interesting guy, he was a bit blown away to come to a University town (Humboldt State, Arcata, CA) and not see fast food restaurants everywhere...it's very liberal and political here.

[liberalhistorian]

17. Sounds like it was

an area he easily enjoyed! There sure are more than enough of the damn things around here, everywhere you turn!

[NightTrain]

19. Did you offer to take him out for a Big Mac?

:evilgrin:

[liberalhistorian]

20. LOL!

I love your sense of humor, hon!!! No, I'm afraid that wouldn't have gone over too well!