A detailed look at the history of KFC
Josh Ozersky provides a throughout biography of the man that become familiar to fans of his original fried chicken, Colonel Harland Sanders. As clearly demonstrated in “Colonel Sanders and the American Dream,” Colonel Sanders was a natural salesman. When his career didn’t flourish practicing law or in the Army, Sanders would grow a fast food empire from a humble start selling his home style cooking in a cafe.
Sanders seemed destined from an early age to prove his mother wrong, who once remarked that he would never amount to anything. Sander’s developed his well guarded secret receipt of 11 herbs and spices, and mastered the art of using a pressure cooker to bring his signature chicken to the masses. When his chicken became popular, Sanders adopted the white suite, and become the face of the franchise.
As the author points out, his daughter is credited with the idea for the trademarked bucket of chicken and came up with the catchy “It’s finger lickin’ good” slogan. The Colonel became a stickler for the franchise stores, often visiting them for inspection. After selling Kentucky Fried Chicken, Sanders severed of the board of directors. However, Sanders never minced words, and caused friction with his criticisms of the way the company operated. He finally accepted a one million dollar agreement to remain silent.
Ozersky brilliantly documents the different ownership group and marketing ploys used the attract new customers. The R. J. Reynolds food and tobacco conglomerate and PepsiCo took the chicken famed franchise in different directions, often away from the Colonel’s vision . The author also makes a compelling case that the secret recipe used today is different that the original recipe. Ozersky also explores the urban legend that Sanders was a member of the Klu Klux Klan.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Colonel Sanders and the American Dream,” and highly recommend it. Additionally, Kirk Winkler provides solid commentary, as he did for “The Detroit Riot of 1967.”
By: Josh Ozersky
Narrated by: Kirk Winkler
Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 11-08-22
