Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #93292 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Synopsis
Men and women representing a variety of occupations, describe the daily routine of their jobs and express their grievances, aims, and dreams.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating look at what we do with the bulk of our time
Working profiles the working lives of scores of Americans. From prostitute to chief executive, coal mine worker to major league ballplayer- a myriad of professions are covered. The book reads like a documentary (which it is). Terkel has included the most interesting aspects of each case study's working life, and ultimately you see why each continues to pursue their career in that chosen field- or at least what satisfaction they get from showing up everyday. It's a great book to pick up and spend 5 to 10 minutes or so reading about how someone else's working life has parallels to your own. The interviews were conducted mostly during the late 60's and early 70's but while it is slightly dated, even that fact makes for an interesting historical perspective.

Real life, real stories
If you are the sort of person that ends up chatting to the bloke or woman next to them at Railway Stations then this is the book for you. Terkels basically interviewed people over a number of years about their jobs and how they feel about them. If that sounds boring then just keep your head in another book next time you are sat on a train - I found it a fascinating read.

Great Book
I read this book 30 years ago. It has probably kept me unemployed for most of that time. Warning if you read this book you may quit your job.