Or you could open working by studs terkel, which was published 46 years ago this spring, though like many of you right now, it bristles with. The concept is deceptively simple, but what it reveals about a common activity that unites all of humanity is often truly surprising. Death is the one experience we all share but cannot know. It is just barely possible that the attitude reflected in the epigraph above, and in the introductory essay and series of interviews that make up the book, was actually prevalent at that time. The book is a collection of interviewsconversationspeople talking about what they do for a living. Pdf studs terkel explores the motivation to work in his classic book working. There is hardly an interviewer, commentator or probing journalist among us who can elicit so much grief and passion, so many forlorn hopes and decayed dreams, so much of the tedium and frustration of daily existence from his subjects as studs terkel. Studs terkels classic oral history working is a compelling look at jobs and the people who do them. Terkel compiled a series of books based on oral histories that defined america in the 20th century.
Journalist studs terkel on his book, the spectator. The wfmt studs terkel radio archive a living celebration. This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violenceto the spirit as well as to the body. Browse our growing archive of more than 1,200 programs. Talk about movies and plays with those who made them. Studs terkel for better or worse, the world that studs terkel captured forty years ago in his brilliant oral history of american workers, working, no longer exists. Studs terkel, byname of louis terkel, born may 16, 1912, new york city, new york, u. Oral historian studs terkel talks about the prime impulse of human beings. 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. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do 1974, terkel introduced listeners to the many folks. For his next book, working, published in the spring of 1974 in the united states and the following year in britain, terkel would talk to more than 100 men and women about what they did. America is the book that first made studs terkels reputation as the countrys foremost oral historian, as more than a writer. One of the most persistent themes among terkels people, young and old.
This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violenceto the. The book also reflects terkel s general idea that work can be difficult but still provides meaning. In the early 1970s, author studs terkel went around the country interviewing people about their jobs. In his 45 years on wfmt radio, studs terkel talked to the 20th centurys most interesting people.
Studs terkel american author and oral historian britannica. In his new book, working, terkel returns, as his subtitle suggests, to the. 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. Perhaps studs terkel s bestknown book, working is a compelling, fascinating look at jobs and the people who do them. Everybody whos nobody and the nobody whos everybody. In studs terkels working, pekar offers a brilliant visual adaptation of terkels verbatim interviews, collaborating with both established comics veterans and some of the comic undergrounds brightest new talent. Studs terkels classic book working is nothing more than a large volume of transcribed confessions of working people. Studs terkel has 67 books on goodreads with 66898 ratings. The great interviewer of his day, terkel celebrated the uncelebrated, and working elevated the stories of ordinary people and their daily lives. Studs constantly lamented during many of these interviews that many citizens, particularly young people, dont know this history or really grasped how things were changing. Studs terkels book interviews resurface as audio all this week on npr, youll hear the voices of people studs terkel interviewed in his book, working.
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, a pulitzer prizewinning author whose searching interviews with ordinary americans helped establish oral history as an important historical genre, and who for nearly half a century. Men and women from every walk of life talk to him, telling him of their likes and dislikes, fears, problems, and happinesses on the job. Perhaps studs terkels bestknown book, working is a compelling, fascinating look at jobs and the people who do them. Studs terkel s most popular book is the grapes of wrath. In studs terkels powerful new book, will the circle be unbroken.
Working, labor, economy the wfmt studs terkel radio. Introduction this book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violenceto the spirit as well as to the body. All this is crucial to understand because it is one of studs terkels most. Read working by studs terkel for free with a 30 day free trial. A pulitzer prize winner interviews workers, from policemen to piano tuners. Here are riveting accounts of the lives of ordinary americansfarmers, miners, barbers, hookers, box boys, stockbrokersdepicted.
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. Make that the world in general, said chicago tribune s literary editor, elizabeth taylor, who was a good friend of terkels. 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. Rereading studs terkels working for pandemic chicago. Read working online by studs terkel books free 30day trial.
Working by by studs terkel this working book is not really ordinary book, you have it then the world is in your hands. In the early 1970s, author and radio host studs terkel went around the country with a reeltoreel tape recorder interviewing people about their jobs. Once again, turkel has created a rich and unique document that is as simple as conversation, but as subtle and heartfelt as the meaning of our lives. People talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do received a national book award nomination in 1975. Consisting of over one hundred interviews with everyone from a gravedigger. 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 what they do. 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 working investigates the meaning of work for different people under different circumstances, showing it can vary in importance. Studs terkel wanted to write a book about working for a living. Louis studs terkel may 16, 1912 october 31, 2008 was an american author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. Terkel interviewed hundreds of people across the united states for his book on the great depression of the 1930s. Studs terkel s book interviews resurface as audio all this week on npr, youll hear the voices of people studs terkel interviewed in his book, working.
Studs terkels working new jobs, same need for meaning. Studs terkel, introduction to working i suppose that its important, before we begin hammering this book, to recall that it was written in the early 1970s. The mysterious rise of the nonworking man the atlantic. 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. Studs terkel was born on may 16, 1912 in new york city, new york, usa as louis terkel. Help transom get new work and voices to public radio by donating now. Studs terkel was everything good about the literary world. Watch the full version of this piece at media burn. His awardwinning books, based on conversations with americans from all walks of life, form a unique chronicle of a nation in the throes of socio. Interviewing at the saint marys center for learning, an alternative school on the west side of chicago, with students theresa gonzales, joan perry, cheryl petrats and teachers janice eritch, rozelle nesbit, sister elaine shuster and a parent, mrs. 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. Studs terkels most popular book is the grapes of wrath. The boston globe a national book award finalist and new york times bestseller studs terkel s classic oral history working is a compelling look at jobs and the people who do them. Talking casually, sometimes disjointedly and hesitantly, or unleashing long suppressed feelings in an angry torrent, these are.
The benefit you get by reading this book is actually information inside this reserve incredible fresh, you. Studs terkel has spent his life interviewing ordinary people to chronicle his country. Younger oral historians and broadcast folk regularly ask him such. Consisting of over one hundred interviews with everyone from a gravedigger to a studio head, this book provides a brilliant and enduring portrait of peoples feelings about their working lives. This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violence to the spirit as well as to the body. Studs terkel books list of books by author studs terkel.
This series is a part of the larger initiative working in america, which has an exhibit featuring images from pulitzer prizewinning photographer lynsey addario traveling the country right now. Studs terkel has turned to the ultimate human experience, that of death and the possibility of life afterward. Work today looks very different than it did in the wake of the 2008 recession and even more so than it did in 1974, when studs terkel interviewed a diverse range of individualsfrom the farmers to newspaper boys, limo drivers, factory workers, phone. Raised in chicago in the 1920s and 30s, gwendolyn brooks stands among the most influential and best known american writers of the 20thcentury.
America, revived one of the favorite literary forms of the front period, what i will call the wethepeopletalk book. 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. Find out more at the working tapes is produced by joe richman, jane m. One of the greatest oral historians of the 20th century, pulitzer prizewinning author, actor, and broadcaster studs terkel was a national treasure and a beloved institution in his native chicago. There is nothing to talk about, the young accountant despairingly enunciates. In 1952, terkel began studs terkels almanac on radio station wfmt in chicago. Discover book depositorys huge selection of studs terkel books online. Working by studs terkel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Jonathan katz discusses his book gay american history.
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