“To be up on stage, shoving food in your face, beats everyday existence for most people.” —David “Coondog” O’Ka...
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Mar 17, 2010
Don
rated it: 
I'd like to say I devoured this book - it seems fitting. But I didn't. I took little nibbles here and there. It's one of those odd Trader Joe's snacks that seems like it might be great, but is merely aaaight. Not great, not bad, so you keep on nibbling until you've finished almost the whole thing - then you throw away the last 1/10.
I can't say I learned anything new about competitive eating. I already felt it was a pointless, strange endeavor pursued by the curious and the occas More...
I can't say I learned anything new about competitive eating. I already felt it was a pointless, strange endeavor pursued by the curious and the occas More...
Sep 02, 2009
Lauren
rated it:
I am equal parts horrified and amazed by competitive eating. It's such an incredible waste of food, and it cannot possibly be anything but unhealthy and destructive for your body, but at the same time I cannot look away.
These people have characters, shtick, and a whole tour circuit, international opponents, a federation (the IFOCE), eating contests both scheduled and impromptu, and merchandise, merchandise, merchandise! IFOCE the breakfast cereal, IFOCE the toilet paper, IFOCE the flame th More...
These people have characters, shtick, and a whole tour circuit, international opponents, a federation (the IFOCE), eating contests both scheduled and impromptu, and merchandise, merchandise, merchandise! IFOCE the breakfast cereal, IFOCE the toilet paper, IFOCE the flame th More...
Jul 19, 2011
Jordan
rated it: 
Welcome to the cut throat world of competitive eating. These boys mean business and their records are life accomplishments to some. If I could eat 60 hotdogs in 12 minutes or 100 hot wings in 20 minutes I would respect that record and hope to god I didn’t have to defend it.
The author traveled the competitive eating circuit around the United States. He profiles several "champions" and each has their own persona and motivation for competing. Some get addicted to the fan More...
The author traveled the competitive eating circuit around the United States. He profiles several "champions" and each has their own persona and motivation for competing. Some get addicted to the fan More...
Aug 13, 2007
fleegan
rated it: 
Obviously I checked this one out because of the title.
This is a nonfiction book about competitive eating and the people who participate. I've honestly never given a thought about eating competitions (other than something like, "why is this on the news?"), and I've REALLY never thought of it as a sport. After reading this book I'm still "meh" on calling it a sport, but i now see the completely human side of the whole thing.
The author follows around a few of More...
This is a nonfiction book about competitive eating and the people who participate. I've honestly never given a thought about eating competitions (other than something like, "why is this on the news?"), and I've REALLY never thought of it as a sport. After reading this book I'm still "meh" on calling it a sport, but i now see the completely human side of the whole thing.
The author follows around a few of More...
Aug 09, 2007
Rosa
rated it:
Seriously fascinating. The author, Jason Fagone, is a wonderful storyteller and does a great job of understanding and describing his subjects - the impressive gurgitators of the world of competitive eating. The time and research Fagone puts into this book is apparent; he spent a year flying from IFOCE (international federation of competitive eating) event to IFOCE event. The two gurgitators that Fagone gets to know the best are profiled honestly, humorously, and lovingly. It's obvious that the a
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Apr 12, 2011
Carin
rated it:
A journalist, Jason Fagone, explores to world of competitive eating, no where exemplified better than the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island every 4th of July. He follows a handful of competitors - El Wingador, Coondog O'Karma, Eater X, and the current Nathan's champion, Kobayashi.
The book is fun and light and the people are highly entertaining. But I found it a bit overwritten and I didn't like how much the author inserted himself into the narrative. That's ap More...
The book is fun and light and the people are highly entertaining. But I found it a bit overwritten and I didn't like how much the author inserted himself into the narrative. That's ap More...
Jun 30, 2011
Adam
rated it:
I really, really liked this book. I like that it struggles with what to make of a particularly absurd subject--competitive eating--rather than trying to prove that its particularly awful or wonderful. Turns out it fits into the American milieu kind of perfectly. Hyper consumption. The desire of competitors to be extraordinary, to be good at something. Plus, Fagone is funny, really smart, and has a great eye for detail. My kind of writing style, definitely.
Mar 19, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Why has competitive eating attracted so many fans and so many different types of stars? Jason Fagone intends to explore these questions and more in "Horsemen of the Esophagus." Fagone contemplates the IFOCE and trails three big eating stars - Coondog O'Karma, Bill "El Wingador" Simmons and Tim "Eater X" Janus" - with appearances by Kobayashi, Sonya Thomas and many many more.
I'm not sure what to say about this. I really hate competitive eating but th More...
I'm not sure what to say about this. I really hate competitive eating but th More...
Oct 09, 2007
Jeff
rated it:
Much MUCH better than *Eat This Book.* It contained true information, not fictional "reality TV-brand history" or marketing or propaganda. While ETB was amusing at times, it wasn't really about the people involved in competitive eating EXCEPT for the guy writing the book and the guys who control the major "gustitators association" that runs most of the big competitions. It rang false, whereas this book felt honest and was written by somebody who's also truly interested in peo
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Sep 02, 2009
I try not to judge books by their covers, but I am a complete sucker for a clever title!
Nov 28, 2010
Bayneeta
rated it:
History of competetive eating contests, Nathan's Fourth of July event at Coney Island, IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating)and other organizations, as well as concentrated biographies of three "gurgitators." Author spent a year observing the competitive eating circuit, interviewing active participants, and attempting to understand why (and how) they do it. Obsession seems to be the key word.
Dec 21, 2010
Malaise
rated it:
Wow! I just loved this book. I initially bought it because of my obsession with competitve eating, not really thinking that it would be that great. Was I in for a surprise! The book is insightful and funny. Even the notes (I'm a huge footnote junky, is that wrong?) are hilarious. It almost reads as a novel with very well developed characters, etc.
Highly recommend it.
Highly recommend it.
Apr 28, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
Ok, I'm partially biased, as a friend wrote this book. But it's not just about competitive eating--it's a critical look at trash culture in America and our hyper-consuming ways, as well as an in-depth portrayal of the oddballs who put their bodies through hell to get their 15 minutes of fame.
Jul 04, 2007
Natalie
rated it:
This is an interesting book about the competitive food eating circuit. If you ever wanted to look into the psyche of a competitive eater, this book might be a good start. I'm not sure how reliable I find the "narrator" though, and it's not as funny or well written as Candyfreak.
Dec 16, 2009
Lauren
rated it: 
this was the most dense book i have read in a long time. after struggling through it, picking up other books to peak my interest i am finally done with reading it. for what it was it was interesting and okay but mostly overdone, dense, and kind of boring.
Nov 28, 2010
For some strange reason, I now own two books covering a year on the competitive eating circuit. They appear to be totally unrelated books, but both of them have hot dogs on the cover. I don't know what to think of this.
Mar 29, 2010
Wendy
rated it:
I will never look at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest the same way again. Competitive eating is gruesome, fascinating, and full of greedy, money-grubbing hangers on. Just like a regular professional sport!
Jan 03, 2011
Jenne
rated it:
I mainly picked this up because of the awesome title, but I just got a little grossed out after a while.
It would have made a great New Yorker-length article, but a book was a bit much.
It would have made a great New Yorker-length article, but a book was a bit much.
Dec 17, 2009
Devon
rated it:
For the most part this book was pretty interesting. There were some dry parts but I just skimmed those.
Don't eat while you're reading it. You may vomit.
Don't eat while you're reading it. You may vomit.
Oct 26, 2008
Kayla
rated it: 
absolutely terrible. and this was one of my pre-library PURCHASES. in hardcover nonetheless.
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