This book was written about the meat industry and immigrants at the turn of the century, it was published in 1905 and created some controversy. It contributed to the passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 by exposing unsanitary conditions and deceitful practices in the meat packing industry. Also it described the industrial world as a place of great competition between workers where every man of the same rank competed with his peers and all of them lived in fear of losing their jobs. The workplace was a struggle of the fittest, where the weak often ended up homeless and starving.

The main character is a Lithuanian man named Jurgis and his family. He works for the local meat company as well as many other men in their town. His family came to American for the hope of freedom, money, and a new life. They find a...