Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Rio de los Brazos de Dios
Posts: 3876

This book is subtitled "A Brief Examination of Work" but it should be called "The Philosophy of Work and Management". Reg Theriault is by his own statement in the book "as near as man can get to a beast of burden". He was a stevedore for seven years. This book is Theriault's belief in what the relationship SHOULD be between workers and their "bosses" of many kinds.
In addition to his work as a stevedore Reg has also worked as a packer of farm produce, as a fruit picker, as a manufacturing line assembler, and a number of other menial jobs. Despite the humble nature of his employment history Reg does not believe that his life should have been very different than it has been. He is not a spineless sop for the blows of his many bosses but rather might be called a "worker's advocate" and has devised many strategies to improve working conditions on his jobs.

Theriault attended the University of California for a year and a half, majoring in English, over the strident objections of his mother who wanted him to be an atomic physicist. He quit Berkeley and went back to being a "fruit tramp" packing cantaloupes in boxes where he was paid so much per cantaloupe for the packing.

I think that every one who works for a wage whether hourly or salary or piece work should read Reg"s book. I won't try to
impart Reg's work philosophy. It is too subtle and too complex for this short piece. And certainly every supervisor, manager, or foreman should read it. It is a small book of only 188 pages and he writes well. The picture of Reg on the front of the book is worth the price of the book.

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oxsan


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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 4501

Yay oxsan! I linked this up, folks, so if you're interested--check it out.

I think a number of people here would appreciate this book...some choose to not pursue what is standard or expected of them, desiring to work jobs like these for different reasons. Would love to check it out myself when some time frees up.

Last edited by bunkum on 01-27-2004 at 10:03 PM

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