- McLibel -

McLibel - Burger Culture on Trial, by John Vidal

> [you've won the book] We would be pleased to receive your opinions about
> the book when you have read it and would like to post them on McSpotlight.

OK, here goes. McLibel - Burger Culture on Trial by John Vidal, Macmillan 15.99

Given that the verdict has not yet (May 1997) been delivered, a book on the McLibel trial might seem a bit hasty. In fact, the introduction admits that "McLibel: Burger Culture on Trial" was researched in six weeks. Also, McDonalds refused to comment on the book or the trial (pre-verdict). The author's sympathies lie with Morris and Steel (the prominent Morris quote on the back cover - "It's lucky they only make f***ing hamburgers" - says it all), and the epilogue is actually written by the defendants.
So is this just McSpotlight in book form? Not quite. Vidal is an award-winning Guardian journalist and his book (sometimes) shows it. Tantalising personal details glint through the layers of legalese (Ray Kroc, McDonalds' founder, started out as a jazz pianist; McDonald's sent baby clothes to Morris to find out his address). The book's political perspective (made explicit in the two penultimate chapters) is from a leftish, "civil society" position which, while worlds away from the dog-eat-dog capitalism of McDonalds, is also distinct from the Green anarchism of Steel and Morris (and McSpotlight).
Small-is-beautiful, "localist" movements are seen not as an end in themselves but as a response to out-of-control globalism.
Respect to Vidal for writing it and Macmillan for publishing it, but on
balance I would say, if you have web access (and you obviously do or you'd not be reading this), then read McSpotlight instead and send them the £15.99. No honestly, this is my real opinion, those McSpotlight goons didn't hold me at monkeywrench-point.

Alternatively, pop round and borrow my copy.

Robert Alcock

Follow Ups:

• McLibel - Burger Culture on Trial - another reader review Robert Cooke Canada June 06 1997 (0)