Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
This book is well worth reading and even though many of the fast food corporations will say they have improved their practices in the past few years, the fundamentals of cheap food, cheap labour, low labour stanadrds, high turnover and specific targetting of children has not changed.
There has been a movie made of the book, not as a documentary, but a fictionalised drama. I haven’t seen it, and not sure how well it would work, but (much like Super Size Me) I wonder how people had fast food immediately after seeing the film?

Hegemony or Survival: America’s quest for global dominance by Noam Chomsky
America was born during a war and seems to have been at war ever since. The American psyche is such that self-interest rises above all, even if self-interest means the suppression of the rights, democracy and self interest of others. Noam Chomsky takes a critical analysis of the influence of US foreign policy, its continued support of terrorists and rogue states, and its overall quest for global domination.
The boldness with which the US is prepared to ignore international law has increased since the fall of the Soviet Union left it as the world’s only superpower and self appointed world policeman. Unfortunely, it is acting more like a Texas county sherrif who interprets the law to suit itself and turns a blind eye to lawbreaking if it is advantageous.
Chomsky is obviously from the left wing of politics, but the facts in this book are presented in a relatively balanced manner (some may disagree) and make you think that probably ever US president in the last 100 years could probably have been convicted as a war criminal. (Both Bushes should certainly be on the list.)
I highly recommend this book.

I have just finished reading Resetting the Compass - Australia’s Journey Towards Sustainability. According to the blurb it sets out Australia’s environmental problems in their global context and explains what is now needed to fix them. It also illustrates how ecological sustainability can be achieved together with economic, social and cultural sustainability.
The book examines the pressures on our environment from population growth, consumption patterns and technological change. It looks at the impacts on human settlements, atmosphere, biodiversity, land and inland waters and the marine environment. The specific actions needed to deal with each of the problems identified are described in detail. With a provocative forward by Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, this book is essential reading for politicians and public servants; business leaders and managers; environmentalists; academics and students in environmental courses; and all those interested in environmental issues.
I found the book interesting, but somewhat depressing. The book is six years old now and it still seems as if those in power are ignoring most of the suggestions. The environmental problems described are still there, and for the most part getting worse, and the world continues on a “business as usual” path where unlimited growth is not only a possibility, but a necessity. With the amount of political interference being suffered by scientists at the CSIRO it is a wonder such a book was even published, although it was before Howard had a majority in both houses.
It is well worth a read and hopefully will spur you into action.
“Resetting the Compass - Australia’s Journey Towards Sustainability.” is written by David Yencken and Debra Wilkinson and published by CSIRO Publishing 2000
Similar books worth reading include:

• Economia by Geoff Davis
• The Natural Advantage of Nations by Hargroves and Smith
• The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken

It is probably dangerous having the title of “Lolita” in a blog called “AlternateRoute” (at least with the Australian connotations), as the site might get bombarded by paedophiles. The log is to say that I have just finished the book by Vladimir Nabakov. It was suggested to me by a member of my wife’s book club who thought I would enjoy it. Call me a philistine, but I didn’t like it at all.
I wasn’t offended by the story or the topic in general, I just found it a hard slog of a read. The sentences are generally long and complicated giving lengthy descriptions of the smallest detail. Whilst this might be seen by some as the essence of good literature, I think it just alienates the reader. Also annoying was the frequent use of French throughout the novel. Good for our bi-lingual friends in Canada, but simply annoying for everyone else.
As for the characters, I found Lolita to be fairly one dimensional and didn’t develop at all during the course of the novel. The main character Humbert Humbert was repulsive. He was weak, possessive and sickly and reminded me a bit of J. Alfred Prufrock.
I found the ending pathetic and meaningless. The final crime seems to serve no purpose except perhaps to show the depth of Humbert’s madness and lack of conscious.
I welcome comments pointing out what I have missed, but I wouldn’t recommend the book to anyone.