Working in America

The Best of Studs Terkel's Working Tapes

By: Studs Terkel

Narrated by: Joe Richman

Length: 1 hr

Publisher's summary

The complete audio documentary as broadcast by NPR, plus exclusive bonus interviews and commentary.

In the early 1970s, author and radio host Studs Terkel went around the country with a reel-to-reel tape recorder interviewing people about their jobs. The result was the best-selling book Working. The great interviewer of his day, Terkel celebrated the uncelebrated, and Working elevated the stories of ordinary people and their daily lives.

For over four decades, the Working tapes were packed away in Terkel's home office and remained unheard - until now. Partnering with the Chicago History Museum and the Studs Terkel Archives, Project& was given exclusive access to the original recordings and spent a year working with Radio Diaries preparing them for the world to hear as part of the national multimedia initiative Working in America. The result is a stunning audio documentary that captures the voices of Americans from vastly different backgrounds, each reflecting on the rewards, the challenges, and the often surprising value of work in their lives. Four decades later, we hear from some of these same people as they reflect on their original interviews - and on the startling changes in their lives since.

Hosted by Joe Richman.

©2017 Project& and Radio Diaries, Inc. (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Meaning of work for humans

Great perspective to take lessons for the AI age we are now. Good reflections to leverage

Too short!!

The concept was fabulous but I wish it had contained more of the original interviews, which equally highlight Studs and his interviewees.

Nostalgic

Very easy to listen to and informative. Words from people and their experiences from back in the 50s.

Insightful Interviews by the Master

Studs Terkel is legendary for his interview skills. These dozen interviews reveal why. Terkel's short, probing, disarming questions explore various jobs, their challenges, and what the incumbents truly feel about them. Talking with the father and son in a car repair garage uncovers the tensions in a multi-generational family business. The only female executive in a national advertising agency shares she's either ignored or stereotyped, her talents discounted. A Black police officer describes the racism he faced in the Chicago police force during the 1970s; sadly, not much seems to have changed. Each story is short, yet unforgettable.

Radio edit of historical Terkel interview samples

This is a wonderful little window into the kind of work Studs Terkel was responsible for. I forget the author of this work, but it sounds like a polished NPR piece. A real journalist was given access to Terkel's original interview recording material used for his book about work. Some interesting snippets are featured, with introductions to each one. Attention is called to the work life of a variety of different people, but also to Terkel himself as a legendary figure for his ability to elicit candid interviews with just about any kind of person you could imagine. I am a small town reporter myself, and this reminds me of the kind of curiosity and high human regard that can make even the simplest of people seem as though they are also providing of the most profound insight and approach to life. I don't think you can enjoy Studs Terkel unless you are a genuinely curious person who is willing to be surprised by what you discover in any person you might cross paths with. There are many who wish they could be privy to hear about the life of the any and many they might meet around any corner, mundane or magnificent that it may be. This is a nice little taste of what that might be like. Having a journalist's hat is a nice convenience to allow one to legitimately take interest in another, but, imagine that coming to turn the stranger into the proverbial neighbor need not require the privilege of an occupational excuse. There are a great many people worth knowing all around us, and hopefully this may remain an inspiration. I do wish I could hear the unedited interviews, but this is a nice polished taste.

More of This Please

As a Chicagoan, I grew up with Studs Terkel. His value as a documentarian of American culture, especially that of the working class, cannot be understated. It's so great to hear his voice, and those of his subjects, discussing the highs and lows in every day activity of work. Mostly, there is value to be found somewhere, be it filling a restless void, or learning more about oneself. My only problem with this is that it left me wanting so much more, and missing Mr. Terkel. Great.

Short and not worth the price

It's only a snippet of the book with no story whatsoever, certainly not worth the price. I've read most of the book and wanted to refresh myself while at work, this doesn't even come close.

Too short

This is barely a read.
Too short and too concise - should include more details and stories. Meh - not enough

RadioLab, not a narrated version of the book

Though the commentary is interesting, this is not “Working in America” but a radiolab about Studs Terkel and “Working in America.”