"Truly ambitious... With its passionate pleas on behalf of farm animals and humans alike, this book has the potential to motivate readers and help them take their first steps toward positive change."

-- Farm Sanctuary

Tina Volpe, in "The Fast Food Craze," points out at the beginning of the book that human bodies are not designed to eat animals, but rather to live on a plant-based diet. She substantiates it by saying that we, as humans, do not have teeth capable of tearing flesh, nor do we have a digestive system that is designed to digest animal protein before decay or fermentation takes place.

Volpe quotes Schlosser, author of "Fast Food Nation," with facts that in 1970 Americans spent about $6 million on fast food. She further states that in 2003 the total came to $120.9 Billion. This has been an astonishing increase in the past 30 years. Volpe's main focus for these statistics is that there is a huge problem in America with obesity and cancer which is attributed to ingestion of fast foods.

Volpe exposes fast food chains Taco Bell, McDonalds, and KFC as serving low grade foods and unethical practices in slaughter houses. She shows pictures of sick animals, brutality, and horrid factory conditions.

The concern shown by Volpe in "The Fast Food Craze" unfortunately is not a national concern, however, every reader of this book will have to stop and think of their own personal choices they must make. Volpe assists the reader in pointing out the benefits of being a vegetarian, not only for health reasons but for the sake of saving an animal's life.

Volpe's mission is clear, thought-provoking, and educational. Her message comes across with much concern.

-- Irene Watson, Reader Views

"Eric Schlosser gave us the story of fast food in America. While amply covering all the health issues, Tina Volpe goes beyond Schlosser's Fast Food Nation to show us the animals ­ the chickens, cows and pigs who suffer and die by the millions for the greasy "nuggets," bacon, and murderburgers that put people in hospitals and morgues. Buy this book and share it with a friend."

-- Karen Davis, PhD, President, United Poultry Concerns

The Fast Food Craze is a perfect guidebook for beginner vegetarians or people who think seriously about their health--and the well being of animals.

In the first part, the author explains in a clear and informative way what kind of effects junk food has on our bodies. She gives a lot of facts and examples, which is very convincing. It makes it easier to visualize every change that is done to our body by unhealthy food.

The next parts consist of a few chapters devoted to animals that are most often found on our plates. She makes us look at them in a different way--not as food but as live beings, very similar to human beings in ways they feel pain and experience other feelings. This part of the book is a sad and horrifying description of the treatment the animals undergo on their way to our plates. The horrible fate of animals is shown by numerous pictures, which is enough for the reader to pause for a while and think about their eating habits.

I think the book was a great enlightenment to me and hopefully to all the people who have read it. I'm not saying I am going to become vegetarian overnight, or that I ever become one, but I will definitely pay more attention to what is going on around me.

-- Thank you Ms. Volpe for writing this powerful eye-opener." The book was short and to the point with appendices where you can find famous vegetarians/vegans, numerous book references as well as a short nutrition guide.

-- Kornelia Longoria, Armchair Interviews

We must all admit, albeit reluctantly, that fast food is counterproductive to good health and destructive to a slim waistline. Unfortunately, the negative effects are even more prolific. Not only is the fast food industry testing our power to resist temptation, it is also testing our moral fortitude, by inflicting senselessly brutal acts on the other creatures who share the earth with us.

"The Fast Food Craze" is a poignant and informative book about the effects of the fast food industry upon our health, as well as the same industries shocking treatment of the animals they owe their livelihood to. Tina Volpe describes the typical and cruel procedures of cattle, poultry, and pig farmers; procedures like de-beaking, where chickens have there beaks cut off to stop them from pecking each other to death, an abnormal behavior brought on by cramped quarters. The author also adds heroic stories of animals that have been saved from awful circumstances, perhaps to counteract the necessarily depressing subject. She further defends her position by including evidence of animal intelligence, and a chapter devoted to famous quotes about the rights of animals, and the reflection their treatment has on society. After a few relevant appendices, there is an interesting and long list of famous vegetarians.

It was a relief to discover that the author of this book was more than just an obviously passionate individual ­ she is also an excellent writer. Tina Volpe does not let her enthusiasm overwhelm the organization and clarity of her book. The structure helps sort the abundance of facts,and at the same time her devotion to the cause comes through convincingly,evoking very similar feelings in the reader.

Tina Volpe was born and raised in California. She has been a proud vegetarian for over 30 years, and is a member of many animal rights organizations

Author Tina Volpe has done a magnificent job of quoting famous people with regard to a vegetarian lifestyle, and compiling facts and figures to prove the title of this book is absolutely correct. Ever wonder why young girls develop more quickly these days, or ponder why we drink cow's milk, but would never consider horse, dog or giraffe? This book will give you lots of food for thought and reasons not to make meat any part of your diet. It was an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

Ginger Simpson author of several novels including romantic suspense, historical romance, time-travel romance, and poetry. Book Review Cafe

Anyone caring about good health must read this expose of the fast food industry. The case for the abuse of farm animals and insights into their intelligence and the dangerous food the fast food industry sells is brilliantly presented. Foods, fats, and cholesterol that cause illness and kill, are listed.

The research about fast food advertising and how this programming affects our life-style is a must-read. The primary message of the book is how to make your own food choices which support good health and longevity. A listing of web sites, well known vegetarians, health-concious grocers, and more is throroughly covered in this one-of-a-kind book.

-- Lightword Publishing, The Mindquest Review, Bernie P. Nelson, Senior Editor, Owner

"This book will be good for use in the classroom or by anyone seriously considering going the vegetarian route. The author has done a lot of research and includes many citations, articles, and pictures that she has found for her case: pro animals and healthy food; anti fast food and animal mistreatment. She begins by assailing the fast food industry for their unhealthy offerings and misleading advertising. She goes on to describe the mistreatment of factory farm animals in the name of the Almighty Dollar to line the pockets of these same fast food giants around the world. She also points out how the Humane Slaughter Act is either ignored or not enforced. According to Ms. Volpe, not only is fast food unhealthy, it costs pigs, cows and chickens a lot of pain, misery and torture to get to your tummy. She feels the only way to stop this horrendous treatment of animals is to not eat them. She concludes by promoting vegetarianism and its healthy benefits."

-- Nan Kilar, from Bob Miller Writes.com

The fast food restaurant chains have as their bottom line the making of money. As a result, many of their corporate decisions are made to the detriment of human health and the inhumane treatment of animals. Very strongly recommended reading, Fast Food Craze: Wreaking Havoc On Our Bodies And Our Animals by vegetarian and animal rights supporter Tina Volpe is an eye-opening education to the fast food industry's deceptive advertisements, "agribusiness farms", and environmental impacts, as well as how a diet of fast food can and will harm human health. Readers will learn about food-borne illnesses, fat and cholesterol issues, receiving recommendations for additional reading, information on thematically related web sites, noted vegetarians, health-conscious grocers, and related "not for profit" organizations.

-- Midwest Book Review, James E. Cox, Editor in Chief

The Fast Food Craze is a short but important appeal to consider what is happening in the rush to create a "fast food" diet that will enable people to eat "on the run." Moreover, it offers a look at the devastating effects of how food is mass-produced, beginning with the care (or lack of, to put it more accurately) of animals that violates human and animal rights and moving on to what the intake of such "created" meals means to human beings' health and well-being (again, or lack of the same).

To people concerned with health and healthy eating, much of the facts in this book will not be new. But that does not devalue the information provided in this book, since the majority of the population in most countries continues to live in the fast food craze mode, not only in places like McDonald's or Burger King but also in the quick meals that supermarkets, diners, catering businesses and diners provide to millions of consumers on a daily basis.

The reading is hard in parts as one learns of the true "fat" and chemical content within sold meat and fast-food products, as well as the gross maltreatment of animals evident in far too many farms and slaughterhouses. This maltreatment often not only physically tortures animals but also takes into consideration what it takes to negate or redirect their innate intelligence as in providing false light to make hens lay more eggs. The description of the slaughterhouse techniques, for example the chicken production process and the diseased conditions in which the beef industry is perpetuated, is awful enough to make one ill.

Beside offering diet advice, the author provides essential nutrient information and offers alternative suggestions to consumers who take this issue seriously. Since the initial cause of such abuse and hasty eating habits is the contemporary frenetic lifestyle, the author also addresses the need to develop a quieter lifestyle and one that is sensitive to nature in appreciation and use for satisfying the need for nutrition.

While there are many sources of such information prevalent on the internet, Tina Volpe packs a lot of vital and interesting facts into a short book that should be essential reading for all Americans and, this reviewer believes, also be included in the health classes of the educational system throughout the American school system.

Well done (no pun intended), Ms. Volpe!

-- May 2005: From Viviane Crystal

Not only since Eric Schlosser's book "Fast Food Nation" and Morgan Spurlock's entertaining documentary "Super Size Me" we know that fast food is bad for you. Vegetarian and animal rights supporter Tina Volpe goes further with "Fast Food Craze" and concentrates on the implications of mass farming for animals and in return for our health.

The first two chapters cover the questionable practices of fast food giants such as McDonalds (using cheap meat), KFC (appalling farming conditions of chickens) and Taco Bell (appalling working conditions) and Jack in the Box (E-coli poisoned meat). A lot of damaging chemicals are used in fast food such as the carcinogenic Acrylamide in French fries and Trans Fatty Acids. Diseases such as SARS, BSE (Mad Cow disease) or Hepatitis A arise from unsanitary conditions inherent in factory farming. New to me was the fact that so called "food disparagement laws" make it awfully difficult to criticize the food industry as the lawsuit of Texas Cattlemen versus Oprah Winfrey and Howard Lyman shows.

Volpe devotes the next chapter quotes of famous thinkers such as Buddha, Gandhi, Voltaire and Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singer as well as from famous vegetarians/vegans such as Moby and K.D. Lang.

The following chapters show in detail the cruel reality of factory farming. The reader learns that chickens, who are in fact very sensitive birds, get their beaks cut off without anesthetics or painkillers to prevent them from pecking at each other. He/she learns that chickens nowadays have been genetically altered in such a way that they grow twice as fast and large, but their lungs and hearts don't develop so that a lot of chicken die before they get slaughtered and their legs are often crippled by the weight of their bodies. They are often still alive when they are put into the scalding tank. Pigs, who are very intelligent and loyal creatures, suffer in equally brutal conditions. Sows are mainly there to give birth and have no space to move and not even straw bedding to lay on. Two weeks after giving birth they are separated from their piglets and impregnated again. Many pigs die on their way to the slaughterhouse due to overcrowding and they are often boiled alive when the knifing was unsuccessful. Cows uffer a similar treatment. Dairy cows are in constant state of being pregnant and genetically manipulated to produce as much milk as possible, often resulting in diseases such as infection of the udders, Bovine Leukemia Virus and laminitis. Calves are immediately separated from their mothers after birth and male calves are used to produce white veal, not seeing the light of day for 18 to 20 weeks.

Black and white photos illustrate the shocking brutality of these farming practices. The book's final chapter is an appeal to become a vegetarian,answers common questions regarding vegetarianism and sums up the advantages of a non-meat diet.

The appendix about food-borne illnesses makes rather grim reading and will put you off any of the fast food chains forever. The references list useful vegetarian cookbooks and further sources of information. The book finishes with an extensive list (10 pages)of famous vegans and vegetarians.

Tina Volpe has a clear mission- to make the reader aware of the terrible state of factory farming and fast food production and to convert him/her into a vegetarian. She does this with passion but without falling into the trap of becoming too sentimental. Instead she lets the facts do the talking. If this book does not put you off your burger - nothing will.

-- Reviewed by: Helen Kaut, Bookpleasures.com

With the publication of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation (2001), an exploration of the fast food culture and its ramifications on our health, environment and ecology, the "All- American" diet has become a more urgent subject for scrutiny. In The Fast Food Craze: Wreaking Havoc on Our Bodies and Our Animals (2005), Tina Volpe revisits Schlosser's well-trodden territory in an abridged form and discusses our dangerous eating habits, as well as their consequences on our bodies. Volpe, however, ultimately takes a different angle than Schlosser and addresses a topic on which he does not focus-the animals who endure the cruel conditions of factory farms in order to "fuel" the fast food craze. As a whole, Volpe's book is truly ambitious and worthy of support from animal advocates.

In her attempt to establish the interconnectedness between human and animal issues for an audience of novices, Volpe asks a reoccurring question: "What are we thinking?" Clearly, she wants her readers to continually consider this question as they peruse through a collage of facts, anecdotes, quotes, reviews, FAQ's, photographs and lists that make up the bulk of the book and its appendices. Although Volpe's book lacks an introduction with an outline of her intentions, her text presents us with an overview of the multifarious abuses of the fast food industry and its assault on our health, the lives of farmed animals in "natural" environments versus those on factory farms and ways in which readers can make dietary changes that benefit animals and humans. Ultimately, Volpe leaves us with a plea to modify more than our diets and "join [her] in a wonderful pursuit to spread love to everyone and everything we meet"(102); promoting compassion is an overreaching goal of her work.

Volpe's first two chapters, "The fast food craze" and "What are we thinking?" are traditional in their narrative style and work together quite well. These chapters are full of staggering and convincing facts that explain the relationship between diet and illness, as well as other health dangers ranging from carcinogenic chemicals in french fries to food borne illnesses and Trans Fatty Acids. She warns, "America is giving its hard-earned money to the fast food giants, and in return we are being unwittingly poisoned"(19). In these early chapters, Volpe builds a foundation for the possibility of change by appealing to the human desire for better health and longer life. She already establishes that a plant- based diet is a key factor in such change before she moves on to the question of animal suffering on factory farms.

In chapter 3, "The animals on our plates," Volpe gives readers a twelve- page sampling of quoted materials that contribute to the book's collage-like quality. Volpe disseminates information here by using a technique that differs from traditional narrative forms that more fully incorporate quoted materials into the author's text; this technique is a dream for browsers and busy readers, but is a potential complication for those who really like to "sink" into a text. Volpe's quotes come from famous figures from Gandhi to Leonardo Da Vinci and give readers a sense of positive human perceptions of animals throughout history. At the end of the chapter, she explains their purpose by saying: "all I can hope is that this reaches you and you understand, and your neighbor and family understand and you help me spread the message" that animals are in need of our protection (44). With these moving words, readers are thrust into the book's focus on the well being of animals.

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 contain some of the best material in the book and feature chickens, pigs, and cows. Volpe's careful depiction of these animals in their natural environments reveals them to be the "intelligent, caring, loving creatures they really are" (46). Anecdotes about brave pigs saving humans from drowning and courageous cows successfully escaping slaughter are reminiscent of Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson's The Pig Who Sang to the Moon (2003). Like Masson, Volpe juxtaposes inspiring animal stories with the experiences of factory farmed animals who are forced to endure confinement, isolation or overcrowding, exposure to illness, genetic manipulation and any number of mutilations and abuses "to produce the most meat, milk, and eggs using the least amount of space, time, and money" (79). Volpe doesn't explicitly make the connection between fast food and factory farming, but the implication is that profit-driven fast food giants clearly benefit from this suffering and poison our bodies with the end product.

Volpe's last chapter, then, logically follows with an apt title, "What are we to do?" Her answer is simple: "STOP eating animals" (81); however, she doesn't just leave her readers in the dark. The rest of the chapter is filled with practical advice on making the transition to a vegetarian diet and she provides careful answers to FAQ's about everything from eating plans to protein requirements. She stresses the health benefits of a plant-based diet and explains that vegetarians "suffer less from diseases associated with the typical Western diet" of which fast food is often a staple (86).Volpe's helpful tips lead to a conclusion that veers into the spiritual realm and leaves her readers to tie together the issues of fast food and factory farming. However, Volpe's passion and vision compensate for any loose ends.

Volpe's tone is personal and inviting; she is definitely not an author just going through the motions, and her enthusiasm for her material is well established throughout the book. Even when she relies on quoted materials to share her ideas, the ones she chooses are well planned and effective in making her case for a compassionate, and consequently, more healthy way of living. Volpe's book is visually pleasing and contains numerous photographs, with informative and catchy captions, from accredited sources. With its passionate pleas on behalf of farm animals and humans alike, this book has the potential to motivate readers and help them take their first steps toward positive change.

-- Farm Sanctuary (10/2004)