The Jungle

By: Upton Sinclair

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Here is the dramatic exposé of the Chicago meatpacking industry at the turn of the century that prompted an investigation by Theodore Roosevelt, which culminated in the pure-food legislation of 1906.

The Jungle is the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Slavic immigrant who marries frail Ona Lukoszaite and seeks security and happiness as a workman in the Chicago stockyards. Once there, he is abused by foremen, his meager savings are filched by real-estate sharks, and at every turn he is plagued by the misfortunes arising from poverty, poor working conditions, and disease. Finally, in accordance with Sinclair’s own creed, Rudkus turns to socialism as a way out.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The most famous, influential, and enduring of all muckraking novels." ( Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature)

It's a classic, but man this was rough

It's definitely a reminder of all the struggles that immigrants have faced, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was just tough to get through this book. Felt like one tragedy after another, broke my heart.

A classic with propaganda

Clearly, one can't be critical of a classic which was extremely well-written, the performance was outstanding, however the propaganda at the end of the book so they took away from the whores that the working class had to live through the turn-of-the-century. The greatest value to those who have never read it is to show just how cruel people can be for want of money and power.

Well I believe the "virtues" of socialism and the amount of work one would have to do to survive in a totally socialist government that were explained it at the last chapter of the book are nothing short of ridiculous, nonetheless, the book does demonstrate the will and breaking of one man Who only wanted to have a better life for his family.

A Must Read -- A Classic American Tale/Expose

Upton Sinclair was said to have every talent in the world except humor and silence. Well, since he knew all that he did I completely understand why he could not keep silent (and thank goodness he didn't) and why there was nothing funny in his expose's disguised/written as fictional tales. The author did his research and he pulled no punches which is why you'll want to have a box of tissues at your side when you read this outstanding tell-all on the meat packing industry and the lives of those keeping it afloat. He tells of a Lithuanian peasant family, poor farmers, who move to Chicago over 100 years ago in search of that elusive American dream because of a tip from a friend on where to settle and earn some much needed cash. What they find is something much different and much more shocking and horrifying than they could have ever imagined. Although this book caused quite a stir leading to laws being passed due to public uproar, some of the practices we read about in this expose do resemble things that are happening today by the almighty Corporatocracy.

eye opening

the book is spot on how the work works even to today's times, even though some may say not but in the dark of politics all is still the same.

So current it is frightening

113 years down the road and see where we have come. the themes are so relevant that it is a little scary.

Beginning was good, ending was not so much.

I picked up this book because it is actually credited for having begun the pure food administration which later on becomes the FDA that we know now but the reason it is so instrumental is because of the 1st hand account of the meat packing plants. the horrific conditions not just for the workers but also that of the actual production of the meat products will make you almost not want to eat meat ever again. this book illustrates an immigrant family who come to America in search of a better life but instead are tortured literally to death just through daily life in trying to survive. This aspect of this book is very enthralling and is the main reason that I picked it up however, By the end of this book We are no longer looking at the life and times of this particular person but instead we are preaching for 3 whole chapters about the evils of capitalism and the merit of socialism.. And while it describes both issues in great detail it will also leave out leave out all of the necessary particulars For a truly educated debate. Therefore I only give the book 3 stars overall because I found myself super bored at the end and I found it to be very redundant. I do find it interesting however that this book written in 19 0 6 should have such similar social issues as we still have now in 2021 Even though our work conditions and our freedoms have been amended we still have the rich that are on top and the poor that are on Bottom. I do still recommend this book as a different perspective Despite its speech at the end.

its political

I did like the story but it is dark and depressing. There is a commonality felt throughout the narrative.

Excellent Narration

I’ve been wanting to read The Jungle for a few years now, as it was not part of my literary requirements throughout my middle and high school education. I’ve spent many hours, days at this point, with Grover Gardner narrating classic after classic. He does it again and leaves nothing to be desired in the reading of the The Jungle.

Everyone should have to read this book.

Very good narration. This is an excellent book, and is essential reading. This was a major driver for the enactment of federal food laws.

If it can go wrong, it will

While shocked at the conditions and the way that the characters (Lithuanian immigrants in 1900s) were treated, I enjoyed the first half of the book. Nothing good happened such that (Spoiler alert) by the time Ona was giving birth, I knew what was going to happen. The author should have ended the story when Jurgis’s son died. It was then that the story unraveled and the author seemed to spew his political beliefs (love of socialism).