WorkingWorking
Score Classic
What it's about
Studs Terkel interviewed more than a hundred Americans about their jobs: a steelworker, a waitress, a gravedigger, a stonemason, a hooker, a corporate executive, a farmer, a baseball player and many more. In their own words, they talk about what they do all day, how it feels, and what it means to them.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction and became a Broadway musical. It's a landmark of oral history.
You'll love it if you liked
"The Good War"
Nickel and Dimed
The Soul of a New MachineGood to know
It's long but easy to dip into. It's from the 1970s.
By the numbers
- Readers84 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller7 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #36 of the 198 history books we rank
- #68 of the 762 classics we rank
- #207 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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CosmosExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Working worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction and became a Broadway musical. It ranks #207 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Working about?
Studs Terkel interviewed more than a hundred Americans about their jobs: a steelworker, a waitress, a gravedigger, a stonemason, a hooker, a corporate executive, a farmer, a baseball player and many more. In their own words, they talk about what they do all day, how it feels, and what it means to them.
How long does it take to read Working?
About 16 hours (642 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Working?
If you liked it, try "The Good War" by Studs Terkel, Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich or The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder.