Rating: 
Summary: Heart-Breaking tear-jerker, all except for the end
Review: This book had me in its clutches until the last few chapters when Socialism comes into view. I was turning the pages rapidly to find out what happens to Jurgis and the remains of his family...but the end talks only of Socialism and its positive points. It didn't satisfy me as a reader. I wanted to see how Jurgis would fare. Sinclair could have implemented the theme of Socialism and then how it helped Jurgis; rather than ending the novel on the benefits of Socialism.
Rating: 
Summary: Reformist Literature at its Best
Review: THE JUNGLE is a reasonably competent novel: it holds your interest, you get involved with the characters, and the background of the story is vivid and informative. I would say that Sinclair's political aims sometimes get in the way of his literary ambitions, especially in the turgid pro-socialism section at the end, when Jurgis, the main character, finds salvation. However, as a book in which the evils of capitalism are brilliantly displayed in a way which cannot fail to move a reader, and as a cry for justice for immigrants, reform of meat packing, and improvement of the conditions of the working man, this book has no competition. It is a monument in the history of American literature. Sinclair gives an unparalleled picture of the devastated lives of Chicago workers. You can also read this book and ponder on how far we have come in one century. America may still have far to go, but after reading this book, you will know how far we have come.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching! Real! Truly a Masterpiece!
Review: The Jungle was a novel not only of a poor immigrant named Jurgis, but of life for poor immigrants in the U.S.A. during the beginning of the 20th century. Jurgis comes to the U.S. with the hope of making a fortune, but he soon realizes it will not be. The Jungle also shows life in the meat-packing plants and the politics behind it.(DO NOT READ ON IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED)He is tricked into buying a house he cannot aford, his wife is raped and dies in childbirth along with the baby she caries, and his son, Antanas, dies from drowing on the sidewalk. He gets put in jail for beating up the man that disgraced his wife, Marija must become a prostitute, and many more things. In the end, we leave Jurgis with the hope of Socialism, and its hope in equality. Even though I am not a believer in Socialism, I find this book unexceptionable. It shows what truly went on in the meat-packing plants, etc. The Jungle is truly a must-read!
Rating:
Summary: It's not about the meat, rather about the opression.
Review: This book is thought of too much as a "see how bad food was in the 1800's." I see it as a reference as to how the immigrints were treated and the need for reform. The immigrints in this story get scammed so many times they become afraid of any one in a uniform. They are low on money when they finally make it to Chicago. Then they live in a house were they share beds, not to mention illness. Because they work with the meat where do all those germs go into the meat. They really need a reform as Sinclair sees it. Sinclair himself says, "I aimed for the public's heart, and hit their stomach instead." Which means he was hoping for reform. There was reform however. Mainly it was about how the food was treated. I would have to say that yes this book is a classic, as it is quoted so many times. It is written by a good author who can keep the info comming. I would recomend this book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than I Remembered
Review: I originally read this book in high school as required reading. At the time I thought it was interesting, but I it did not capture my imagination. I thought it was a great read the second time around! The obstacles and hardaches that these characters went through were absolutely heartbreating. Reading about the increadibly harsh working conditions that existed in this country less than a hundred years ago really makes one realize how far our we have come in making the workplace a realitively safe environment. The ending was a bit anticlimatic, but overall this classic is a definate (re)read!
Rating:
Summary: A study in mans inhumanity to man
Review: I picked this book up because of its reputation as a classic. I was surprised by what it was about. I was moved by Jurgis' plight. The last chapter is a weak sermon on socialism that seems out of place. The things that ring true are that although working conditions are better in the US today, it is only because of Federal government intervention. The captains of industry and politicians of today are still as corrupt and cruel as those of Sinclair's time. Without the Sinclairs and Ralph Naders we would still be in the predicaments the workers in "The Jungle" are in. On need look no further than the Nike and Kathie Lee scandals to see this is true. The Jungle is a classic that every student should read, although most kids today wouldn't get it.
Rating:
Summary: Anyone with a heart will be caught up in the emotions
Review: Upton Sinclair's novel begins with a wonderful description of a Lithuanian wedding. Right away, The reader is immediatly caught up in the happiness that filled the rented hall. The beatiful account of the continuos music, baby cries, and drinking surrounds the reader. After this connection is formed between the reader and book is formed, it is never exterminated. The reader feels joy and pain constanly as Jurgis goes through the struggles of a new immigrant to America.
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Summary: Shocking Look At The Realities of Packingtown
Review: This emotional story of Jurgis, a Lithuanian, who has come to America in search of the classic "dream" is very shocikng and horrifying. Sinclair harshly criticizes the exploitations of capitalism and leads the reader to think more carefully about positive aspects of socialism.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but to Much Detail
Review: I thought this was an okay book. I would not call it a classic by any means. It has too much over written detail and I fell alseep every time I tried to read it. I would recommend it if you are into the pain and suffering of the 1800's.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy-handed, preachy, redundant socialist trash
Review: After reading this book, I was initially confused as to why I had always been told it was a classic. Sinclair is a TERRIBLE writer. Words like heavy-handed, preachy and redundant only begin to describe his "style." Reading this book is like watching trains collide in slow motion - you know exactly how it's going to end, but have to endure a lot of noise and debris to get there. So why is this book a classic? One need only to read through the reviews here at Amazon to resolve the confusion. "The Jungle" is primarily forced upon children and promoted as a "gross-out" tale of a little man breaking out of terrible oppression. In reality, it is a bold-faced socialist tract which accomplishes all of its (quite necessary) journalistic tasks within the first 100 pages. The remainder of the novel is a sadistic, tedious tale of a man (and a woman) being beat down until they are rescued by socialism. Any guesses on why this book is so widely used as part of high school curricula? The meat packers treated animals better than Sinclair treats his readers - though both seem to assume the same level of intelligence.
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