<P> The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair ( 1878 -- 1968 ) . Sinclair wrote the novel to portray the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities . His primary purpose in describing the meat industry and its working conditions was to advance socialism in the United States . However , most readers were more concerned with his exposure of health violations and unsanitary practices in the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century , greatly contributing to a public outcry which led to reforms including the Meat Inspection Act . Sinclair famously said of the public reaction , `` I aimed at the public 's heart , and by accident I hit it in the stomach . '' </P>
<P> The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair ( 1878 -- 1968 ) . Sinclair wrote the novel to portray the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities . His primary purpose in describing the meat industry and its working conditions was to advance socialism in the United States . However , most readers were more concerned with his exposure of health violations and unsanitary practices in the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century , greatly contributing to a public outcry which led to reforms including the Meat Inspection Act . Sinclair famously said of the public reaction , `` I aimed at the public 's heart , and by accident I hit it in the stomach . '' </P>
book that led to the meat inspection act
book that led to the meat inspection act
The Jungle
The Jungle