The Jungle

There's a point in every person's teenage years where they come to the realization that there's more to life than the next concert they're going to or who so-and-so is dating that week. THE JUNGLE was that turning point for me. This book was assigned to one of my high school classes (xx years ago) and it immediately had an impact. The treatment of immigrants to the United States, the horrendous working environments...this was all hard for a fairly comfortable, middle class white girl to digest.

The conditions that Sinclair describes are vivid and, on occasion maybe a bit over the top, but the point is clear: the ‘American Dream' was, for most, just that. And although this book is set in the early 20th century, the themes & ideals are just as relevant now as they were over 100 years ago. A classic and a must read.