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)

One of the best.

I don't know how I missed this book in every lit class but one day I noticed it in my wish list. A voracious audiobook junkie, I'm always searching for the next, best story. This is one of the best stories and best audiobooks in my 400 titles. God help me, I love good writing and performance!
'nough said.

I read this book 30 years ago. Powerful book.

Highschool English 1983. I remember hating the beginning of the book but was hooked within a few chapters. This is a worthwhile audio book weather you read the text or not. Great performance!

Meat packers

The book was very interesting. The conditions and work hours were horrible. To think that society is serious in accumulating gain for the sake of people lives is horrendous.

An eloquent masterpiece.

A social critique from 1906 that is still just as relevant today. beautifully written, and tragically accurate. An absolute delight.

great story weird ending

great story
weird ending tho
overall message is kinda weird
sad but interesting
great voice of narrator

A story worth knowing, now as ever.

One hundred and fourteen years later, a story about the hazards of working in the meat industry, and more importantly, the relentless assault that capitalism casts upon the wage earner, is as pressing as ever.

For the rest of my life, I’ll never forget the story of Jurgis Rudkus, it’s quite possibly the most honest, real, and identifiable story, that is also fiction, I’ve ever read or ever will read. And again, it was written 114 years ago.

Enlightening and Timeless

A powerful timeless story the reflects today as it reflected the era in which it was written.

great work

I've always loved the history behind this book. Not only is it a compelling story that grabs you and draws you in from the first moments and makes you truly feel for the characters, but it actually changed the industry for the better! It is because of this book that we have the FDA. My only complaint is with the narrator's one mistake when he mispronounced "deviled ham". Otherwise his was a flawless performance befitting the flawless work of art that is Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

An Immigrant's Struggle

I listened to this on audio.

I have wanted to read this one for awhile, and I finally got around to it! I always thought that this was an expose of the meat packing industry, and while that is much of the setting, it is really about a Lithuanian immigrant, his family and the hardships they faced, as well as a commentary about the culture of that time and political ideology. There were definitely some very graphic parts about the meat packing industry, but that was not the focus of the book. This was eye opening and informative about the conditions immigrants faced during that time, as well as illustrating the need for many of our current laws regarding wages and work conditions. If you ever feel that you are having a bad day at work or hate your job, read this, and you'll feel a whole lot better about it.

I was getting bored near the end, so I'm thinking that it was probably about 2 hours too long for my taste. I really enjoyed the family and cultural stuff, but near the end, I was thinking it was getting repetitive.

One of the best reads ever!

The narrator was very professional, clear, and engaging. I could never get through this inn high school, but so much understandable as an adult. This book offers vivid details and accounts of the working man's plight in a capitalist society. Very thought provoking and meaningful.