The Jungle: Upton Sinclair's Explosive Exposé of Corruption, Capitalism, and the American Dream

Oft-touted as a novel that exposes the grotesqueness of the meat packing industry in the early 1900s, there is a lot more happening in this novel than that. The novel is very much a social commentary. The plight of the immigrants that came searching for the "American Dream" and were ultimately crushed by poverty. The story is sad, harrowing, and depressing. This nation was built on the backs of the of the poor. The story makes one question capitalism, which if course was Sinclair's intent. While not an easy read, I think everyone should read it. Sinclair puts a face on the plight of the poorest in America. He attempts to persuade people that socialism is the answer by showing how hard-working, innocent, and good-hearted people like Jurgis and Ona were exploited and cheated by the unscrupulous. However, I recommend skipping the last 3 or so chapters as Jurgis' story is pretty much abandoned and picks up a long Socialist rant.