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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “With this book being about my hometown, a place I love dearly, it was a highly emotional read. Living the "glory days" of Oelwein, and then watching it demise in the late 80's until now, this book retells a big part of my life. It's personal. I know the characters, and I know the places they...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“An engrossing true tale of the effects of Big Ag and the emergence of Methamphetamine in small midwestern towns. Reding delves into the lives of the people in the town, including the mayor and the Chief of Police. Includes the steps they are taking to gain back their town. Very good piece of journalism. Read-alikes: The Way We Eat, Peter Singer; Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser”
Goochland Branch Library wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Really good and really depressing...big agriculture has invaded and taken over smalltown America, turning depressed low wage workers into meth heads. Well written”
Tracy S wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“intriguing - one of those books i could continue to read during the day if i wasn't working.”
Peter H wrote this review Wednesday, September 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An excellent and unbiased look at the realities and difficulties of meth in American life.”
David B wrote this review Sunday, September 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Methland offers a fascinating history of methamphetamine, weaving it within the tragic story of Oelwein, Iowa, the "meth capital" of America. Weakened by a lack of academic citation, the book's thesis--that the meth epidemic was a result of Reagan-era economic & drug policy--is convincing, and the first half of the book is riveting. Unfortunately, an analysis appropriate for an extended Atlantic or New Yorker article cannot be sustained in full-length book form.”
Kind wrote this review Thursday, September 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Great story about the downfall of America's small towns. I've never lived in a place outside of a major metro area, and I can't ever imagine doing it. The things that take place in rural America defy the perception that politicians seem desperate to prove about small towns. Reding does an awesome job bringing them to light.”
Rob P wrote this review Saturday, September 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“With this book being about my hometown, a place I love dearly, it was a highly emotional read. Living the "glory days" of Oelwein, and then watching it demise in the late 80's until now, this book retells a big part of my life. It's personal. I know the characters, and I know the places they talk about. That is something beyond what I've ever experienced when reading a book. That said, this author is painting a picture of the economic crisis of the rural midwest, the new "ghetto" that hit so many towns such as Oelwein. Reviewing how meth took hold, how it stayed, and how it is slowly being chased out of town, is the point of this book - it is to educate. Although some are upset about it demeaning Oelwein, or worried he has some wrong information about streets and schools, I think it is a book about hope, and it is a book to explain more about this drug gripping our nation. It's important to read. Oelwein is slowly digging out of this. Two new industries just opened this past week, and I pray those so directly harmed by meth can heal. Go Huskies!”
heller6 wrote this review Monday, August 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very clear from socialogical and personal points of view. This is happening all over rural America. The term "small town atmosphere" takes on a whole new meaning.”
Pat L wrote this review Monday, August 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Important look at small town America. Denser than it needed to be. ”
Jim L wrote this review Thursday, August 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This was a great book - I couldn't put it down. It makes me sad to see how meth is ruining so many lives. I had a couple issues with it - there were a few glaring errors - locations and NAMES of cities (ie: Cedar Rapids in the book is actually Cedar Falls - Cedar Rapids is further south). The only problem with that is if there are error like that, are there others? ”
Karisti C wrote this review Sunday, August 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
