Working theo ubique based on studs terkels bestselling book of interviews with american workers, working paints a vivid portrait of the working men and women that the world so often takes for granted. Terkel interviews people from all walks of life about the work that they do and how they feel about their occupations. Dec 14, 2000 studs terkel has made a living gathering the stories of ordinary people and presenting them to america. Studs terkel has spent his life interviewing ordinary people to chronicle his country. Terkel has collected stories from just about every conceivable category of people. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Everybody whos nobody and the nobody whos everybody. Studs terkel has 67 books on goodreads with 66240 ratings. The boston globe a national book award finalist and new york times bestseller studs terkels classic oral history working is a compelling look at jobs and the people who do them. Studs terkel, working studs terkel s working is a truly great book, and worthy of the many accolades it has received over the years. The concept of a worklife balance was decades away, as was the idea of a. If you re familiar with terkels pulitzerprize winning oral history work, you know that this book is adapted from his 1974 work of the same name. And although terkel s voice and narration are only present for the following pages of the introduction, giving way to 600 pages of the voices of.
Studs terkels working new jobs, same need for meaning. Here a wide range of people address the unknowable culmination of our lives, the possibilities of an afterlife, and their impact on the way we live, with memorable. This was perhaps the last moment for some time when you could. Top musicians get heard in studs terkels interviews sfgate. Through these narratives of others as well as our own stories, we learn that work is the thread that runs through us all, universal, yet particular. Studs terkel were talking to gail levin who is here in connection with the art institutes retrospective exhibition of the works of edward hopper and her own book is called the art and the artist, published by by norton. Apr 16, 2015 studs terkels working takes on isabel. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Read working by studs terkel for free with a 30 day free trial. The mysterious rise of the nonworking man the atlantic. Watch the full version of this piece at media burn. Studs terkels classic oral history working is a compelling look at jobs and the. Sep 28, 2016 studs terkel was gathering material for a book called waikin ph or working.
Consisting of over one hundred interviews conducted with everyone from gravediggers to studio heads, this book provides a timeless snapshot of peoples feelings about their working lives, as well as a relevant and lasting look at how work fits into american life. Based on studs terkel s bestselling book of interviews with american workers, working paints a vivid portrait of the working men and women that the world so often takes for granted. Terkel s technique, recreating the individuals story in his or her firstperson point of view, richly conveys his subjects voices and stories. Terkels technique, recreating the individuals story in his or her firstperson point of. It is an exploration of what makes work meaningful for people in all walks of life, from lovin al the parking valet, dolores the waitress, the fireman, to the business executive. All this is crucial to understand because it is one of studs terkels most distinctive. Terkel interviewed hundreds of people across the united states for his book on the great depression of the 1930s. Studs terkel s most popular book is the grapes of wrath. And although terkels voice and narration are only present for the following pages of the introduction, giving way to 600 pages of the voices of. He received the pulitzer prize for general nonfiction in 1985 for the good war and is best remembered for his oral histories of common americans, and for hosting a longrunning radio show in chicago. I have always found this style of presentation appealing. In 1974, the radio broadcaster studs terkel published a book of profiles to have people talk about what they do all day and how they feel about. Oral historian studs terkel talks about the prime impulse of human beings. Consisting of over one hundred interviews with everyone from a gravedigger.
Simply put, the book is an oral history of americans telling of their jobs both the specific responsibilities involved and the meaning derived from work. My interviews are called conversations with history. If you work nights and its real quiet, i dont think theres an operator who hasnt listened in on calls. The concept is deceptively simple, but what it reveals about a common activity that unites all of humanity is often truly surprising. Thats what legendary interviewer, writer, radio broadcaster, and oral historian studs terkel may 16, 1912october 31, 2008 captures in working. Jan 07, 2020 from the book working, by studs terkel.
From these interviews, he penned a book called working, which also became a hit musical, where individuals talk about their jobs. In 1974, the radio broadcaster studs terkel published a book of profiles to have people talk about what they. Just about the time i was ready to close the book and give up. Aug 31, 20 at one end of the spectrum, theres the sort of raw interview transcript or narrative that studs terkel used for books like working. The interviews are from studs terkels masterful book working, a compendium of firsthand accounts of people at work. More than 6,000 hours of terkels sound recordings are held in the studs terkel archives at the chicago history museum. Studs terkel s book interviews resurface as audio september 25, 2016 all this week on npr, you ll hear the voices of people studs terkel interviewed in his book, working. In 1973, he selected several interviews that were included in his book to be broadcast in eleven parts on the studs terkel program on wfmt radio chicago, il. Working depicts a time just before great changes happened in the workplace changes that no one in the book predicted. And, my god, this is a conversation with history that were about to have. Studs terkels second memoir looks back on a long life.
After graduating law school in 1934, studs career took a great many turns. In 1974, studs terkel published a book with an unwieldy title, working. Studs terkel opens working with one of the most stirring sentences i have read of late. There isnt any shame, there isnt any pride and so on. Harvey pekar, in the introduction to his graphic adaptation of studs terkels working.
Its a bite sized procession of humanity baring their lives. Composer stephen schwartz on adapting studs terkels. At one end of the spectrum, theres the sort of raw interview transcript or narrative that studs terkel used for books like working. Studs terkel, historian history workshop journal oxford. Studs terkel was born in the bronx on may 16, 1912, the third son of samuel terkel, a tailor, and the former anna finkel, who had emigrated from. This book is as good an introduction as any, once started you will want to read. People talk about what they do all day and how they. Studs terkel s book interviews resurface as audio all this week on npr, you ll hear the voices of people studs terkel interviewed in his book, working. Studs terkel, a pulitzer prizewinner, was a member of the american academy of arts and letters and a presidential national humanities medal recipient. Im a fan of both studs terkel and of oral histories, so this book was a winwin for me. It is about ulcers as well as accidents, about shouting matches as well as fistfights, about nervous breakdowns as well as kicking the dog around. The stories he recorded remind us of the ways women workers were treated then. The book also reflects terkels general idea that work can be difficult but still provides meaning for workers. Studs terkel has made a living gathering the stories of ordinary people and presenting them to america.
People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do is a 1974 nonfiction book by the oral historian and radio broadcaster studs terkel. Dec 15, 2014 the mysterious rise of the non working man. Ill admit, im totally biased being in chicago, but maybe thats the best way to read this book. Studs talks to everybody about their work, holding nothing backthe book leaves you with the feeling that people do the best they can, and its done with warmth and candor. Back in the 1980s, long before coming to work at transom, id been working with studs terkel at wfmt radio.
Studs terkel isnt it remarkable, as dame eileen younghusband pays tribute to charlotte towle, this book written some 20, it seems a generation ago, yet seems centuries ago, so contemporary now. Gail levin discusses the work of edward hopper and the art. A pulitzer prize winner interviews workers, from policemen to piano tuners. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do, new york, 1974. Despite exiting fmt in 91, and leaving chicago in 2001, i. In the early 1970s, author and radio host studs terkel went around the country with a reeltoreel tape recorder interviewing people about their jobs. Consisting of over one hundred interviews with everyone from a gravedigger to a. It isnt the calendar age that determines a mans restlessness. If you re familiar with terkels pulitzerprize winning oral history work, you know that this book is. This is a book, usually put together by an author who has traveled up and down the country, in which a variety of people of every age, class, race, creed, etc. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do received a national book award nomination in 1975.
The grammywinning composer stephen schwartz godspell, wicked first adapted studs terkels working for the. Studs terkel helped establish oral history as a popular literary form. So lets put some background information on the table. Bravo to terkel for documentating these fascinating lives. The pulitzer prize winners numerous bestsellers include the good war and working. Working with studs a transom radio special on prx bonus tracks from working with studs about working with studs.
Working captures the range of human variety and personality in a way unlike anything ive read before. In his new book, working, terkel returns, as his subtitle suggests, to the. Tribute to charlotte towle the wfmt studs terkel radio. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do public library a remarkable oral history of the extraordinary dreams of ordinary people and of working life. And while most aren t trying to instruct or direct others, there is almost always an insight or something to learn from each interview. The great interviewer of his day, terkel celebrated the uncelebrated, and working elevated the stories of ordinary people and their daily lives. Studs terkel on the dignity of work, why we do what we do, and the. Studs terkels classic book working is nothing more than a large volume of transcribed confessions of working people. America, revived one of the favorite literary forms of the front period, what i will call the wethepeopletalk book. For those of you unaware of studs terkel, he was chicago, a writer and tv personality back in the old days who did great interviews with ordinary people. This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violenceto the spirit as well as to the body. In 1974, studs terkel published the best book you were assigned in college but didnt read. Even though terkel has a different agenda in this bookhe certainly isnt writing a. And the interviews range from the humorous to the truly sad.
The one major disappointment i have is that studs isnt here to see it. Feb 12, 1974 studs terkel opens working with one of the most stirring sentences i have read of late. Nominated for six tony awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age, featuring new songs by tony awardwinning linmanuel miranda, as well as favorites by stephen schwartz, craig. Jun 23, 2009 studs terkel helped establish oral history as a popular literary form. In this book, the pulitzer prize winner and national book award finalist studs terkel, author of the new york times bestseller working, turns to the ultimate human experience. Sign up for librarything to find out whether you ll like this book.
Its apparent in these short oral histories that terkel isnt making judgments about certain occupations. Perhaps studs terkels bestknown book, working is a compelling, fascinating look at jobs and the people who do them. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nov 01, 2008 studs terkel was born in the bronx on may 16, 1912, the third son of samuel terkel, a tailor, and the former anna finkel, who had emigrated from bialystok, poland. In 1952, terkel began studs terkel s almanac on radio station wfmt in chicago. That isnt to say that they manage people or the nation well. I suppose that its important, before we begin hammering this book, to recall that it was written in the early 1970s. Studs talks to everybody about their work, holding nothing backthe book leaves you with the feeling that people do the. I really enjoyed a book based upon a studs terkel book, world war z. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what. Terkel compiled a series of books based on oral histories that defined america in the 20th century.
And his tapes ended up in boxes, which were still boxed up when terkel died in 2008. In 1952, terkel began studs terkels almanac on radio station wfmt in chicago. This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violence to the spirit as well as to the body. Jul 26, 2011 in 1952, terkel began studs terkel s almanac on radio station wfmt in chicago. Keeping the faith in troubled times the new press, is an oral.
Studs terkel on the dignity of work, why we do what we do, and. Louis studs terkel may 16, 1912 october 31, 2008 was an american author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. Women employed began right around the same time that studs terkel was putting the finishing touches on his landmark book, working. Working in america explores authentic, raw, and honest stories focused on the daily desire to survive, thrive, participate and contributestories of how we locate ourselves in society, how we are seen or made invisible, and how we find meaning. This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violenceto the spirit as well as the body. Studs terkel, working studs terkels working is a truly great book, and worthy of the many accolades it has received over the years. This comic book isnt the most farfetched attempt to repackage working, the late studs terkels signature work of oral historythat would be the 1978 broadway musical of the same name. Working with studs a transom radio special transom. And how could a guy named studs terkel not do a cool book. Mar 23, 2010 1 terkels major oral history books include.
Sharon atkins, receptionist for the next several posts, im going to highlight individual stories of people talking about their work. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do. America isnt the first title that would pop into most peoples minds when they think of terkel, but i think it should be. Shortly after he began working on the book, his wife of 60 years, ida terkel, died at the age of 87.