Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do by Studs Terkel

In his book “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do”, Studs Terkel talks to Americans from all walks of life about their work and the meaning it holds for them. Along with the familiar occupations such as doctor, lawyer and hairdresser, he captures testimonies from cab drivers, stock brokers, bricklayers and sumo wrestlers. This oral history of the American workplace gives an honest insight into the lives of those who go to work everyday and the joy, frustration and exhaustion that goes along with it.

The book is composed of interviews, of around 45 Americans speaking candidly about their role in life, the nature of their work and what it brings. From professional athletes to prostitutes, the emotions and thoughts of the interviewees are often a surprise. Take the case of Eddie, the African-American vet whose time at war shattered his teenage dreams of becoming a doctor. Now he is a truck driver and works long, tiring hours but still finds joy in his work.

The cabdrivers, secretaries and steelworkers, who Terkel interviews, provide a down to earth experience of what it is like to do a job from the inside out. They detail how hardworking and how motivating their job can be and the pride they take in doing it. Yet for all the sense of satisfaction, their constant concern is not just to do their job right but also protect it from layoffs and automation. As an older secretary points out, her job could one day be replaced by a machine, stating: “My girlie told me, ‘Mom, when you retire they’re gonna have a robot do your job,’”

It is interesting to hear the diversity of views that interviewees give on their work. Fast food workers bemoan the low-pay, long hours and lack of sense of purpose, while hairdressers, secretaries and retail staff bemoan their lack of security. Yet, there are also those that are honestly fulfilled by their job, with most showing a greater appreciation for what it brings to them.

The absence of superficial praise that appears in most oral histories, is striking. Although many of the interviewees feel a deep connection to their work and express great respect for the skills and hard-work required, there are also those that emphasize how dull or meaningless the task can be. A sumo wrestler tells Terkel that his training involves “a lot of repetition, a lot of rolling around the matt” and a waitress explains to him how her job can be an uphill battle of demanding customers and bureaucracy.

All of the content in Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, is powerful and a crucial reminder to us all of the importance of understanding and support for those who do the jobs that are often taken for granted. The book is much more than just a book about labor; it is a powerful collection of stories that collectively tell the story of what it is to be a worker in modern day America.