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Brendan (History Nerds United)'s Reviews > McMillions: The Absolutely True Story of How an Unlikely Pair of FBI Agents Brought Down the Most Supersized Fraud in Fast Food History
McMillions: The Absolutely True Story of How an Unlikely Pair of FBI Agents Brought Down the Most Supersized Fraud in Fast Food History
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A few disclaimers up front. First, I did not see the McMillions documentary before I read this book so I went in totally fresh. Second, I worked at McDonald's as a teenager. What does that have to do with the book? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to tell you.
The book McMillions is written by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte who were the producers/writers/directors of the documentary. If you don't know the backstory, then I have news for you. If you remember the McDonald's Monopoly game, then you of course remember how huge a deal it was. Well, turns out, you couldn't win. Not unless you were part of the conspiracy to steal the winning game pieces. (Childhood RUINED!)
The book is an easy read and interesting throughout with no dead spots in the narrative. The authors add dialogue whenever they can and the tone is light for the most part (side note: some dialogue may have been embellished, but my review copy did not have sources to directly verify so it might all come from transcripts). That does lead to a bit of tonally whiplash at times. There are some people whose lives were destroyed by this case and the authors treat their stories solemnly. However, the tone might veer quickly back to lighthearted. It's nothing fatal for the flow of the book, but it is noticeable.
The only thing which kept this from being a no-doubt five star book for me was the uneven coverage of some of the main characters. There is a woman who has a heartbreaking story and the authors give her some well-deserved focus in the middle of the book. However, she becomes more of a footnote after that as another character takes over the narrative. I would have liked a bit more time with a few people and for the timeline to stay a bit more linear. These are minor quibbles and should not make anyone shy away from picking this book up.
(This book was provided as a review copy by the publisher.)
The book McMillions is written by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte who were the producers/writers/directors of the documentary. If you don't know the backstory, then I have news for you. If you remember the McDonald's Monopoly game, then you of course remember how huge a deal it was. Well, turns out, you couldn't win. Not unless you were part of the conspiracy to steal the winning game pieces. (Childhood RUINED!)
The book is an easy read and interesting throughout with no dead spots in the narrative. The authors add dialogue whenever they can and the tone is light for the most part (side note: some dialogue may have been embellished, but my review copy did not have sources to directly verify so it might all come from transcripts). That does lead to a bit of tonally whiplash at times. There are some people whose lives were destroyed by this case and the authors treat their stories solemnly. However, the tone might veer quickly back to lighthearted. It's nothing fatal for the flow of the book, but it is noticeable.
The only thing which kept this from being a no-doubt five star book for me was the uneven coverage of some of the main characters. There is a woman who has a heartbreaking story and the authors give her some well-deserved focus in the middle of the book. However, she becomes more of a footnote after that as another character takes over the narrative. I would have liked a bit more time with a few people and for the timeline to stay a bit more linear. These are minor quibbles and should not make anyone shy away from picking this book up.
(This book was provided as a review copy by the publisher.)
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Reading Progress
July 16, 2024
–
Started Reading
July 16, 2024
– Shelved
July 21, 2024
–
Finished Reading
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Ashley
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Jul 18, 2024 11:01AM
I have my fingers crossed this will be worth the read! Have you seen the documentary on this already? I'm curious what more the book can/will add.
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Ashley wrote: "I have my fingers crossed this will be worth the read! Have you seen the documentary on this already? I'm curious what more the book can/will add."I haven't seen the doc, yet. The books seems detailed so far though, so I assume there is a bit more in this than the doc.
Because the book is always better :O)
Brendan wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I have my fingers crossed this will be worth the read! Have you seen the documentary on this already? I'm curious what more the book can/will add."I haven't seen the doc, yet. Call..."
I wish I hadn't seen the doc yet. But equally excited for you that you get to absorb all the info at once! I'm sure you'll really enjoy this, then.
Ashley wrote: "Brendan wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I have my fingers crossed this will be worth the read! Have you seen the documentary on this already? I'm curious what more the book can/will add."I haven't seen th..."
Thanks, Ashley! I may read the book and then immediately watch the doc just to compare/contrast.
