Each volume begins with a historical overview of an industry, followed by concise biographical profiles. Those featured include Bill Gates and Steve Jobs (Computers), John D. Rockefeller and J. Paul Getty (Oil), and the founders of White Castle and McDonald's (Fast Food). The wide margins contain often fuzzy black-and-white photos and boxed quotes. All but Oil contain time lines. Bib., glos., ind.

Gr 7 Up-Aaseng takes an intriguing look back to the beginnings of these restaurants, tracing the development of this phenomenon by profiling 10 entrepreneurs who shaped the industry. Fred Harvey of the Harvey House restaurants was the first to establish a chain, following the tracks of the railroad across the country in the late 1800s and hiring Harvey Girls to wait on his customers. Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson made five-cent, square hamburgers popular with their White Castle chain. J. F. McCullough and Harry Axene's Dairy Queens featured soft-serve ice cream and other frozen treats. McDonald's was the brainchild of Mac and Dick McDonald, who popularized the Golden Arches and then sold the company to Ray Kroc, who went on to serve billions. Harland Sanders's secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken is legendary, and Tom Monaghan delivered Domino's Pizza to millions of American teenagers. Aaseng not only creates a personal picture of each man, but also highlights his unique contribution to the development of the industry as we know it today. Numerous sidebars highlight other franchises and businessmen whose impact has been significant. Well written and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, this title works both as biography and history. The addition of Nancy Peacock's Dave Thomas (Chelsea, 2001; o.p.) would complete the fast-food menu for most libraries.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.