American Worker Series

Series produced by Long Haul Productions

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

The American Worker Series examines the meaning of work in people's lives.

"It is about the search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying." - Studs Terkel, Working

The American Worker Series examines the meaning of work in people's lives. These stories profile workers' dreams and aspirations; their goals and motivations. Their stories show how they deal with power and authority, humiliation and stress; how they maintain dignity in tedious, thankless jobs; and how they measure their contributions, worth and importance.

Most stories in this series aired on All Things Considered.


5 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Studs Terkel reads excerpts from Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle" in this history of African Americans in the packinghouse industry of Chicago.

Bought by WFHB, WORT, Spokane Public Radio, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., KVSC and more


  • Added: Nov 04, 2008
  • Length: 28:21
  • Purchases: 12
Piece image
The story of the worst homefront disaster of World War II -- an ammunition explosion that killed more than 300 men -- and what happened to the 50 A...

Bought by RadioStPete Florida, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, KVMR, WORT, KVNF and more


  • Added: Sep 03, 2004
  • Length: 25:12
  • Purchases: 26
Piece image
Former door-to-door Bible salesman Jim "The Rabbit" Baker, featured in the classic 1969 Maysles Brothers film Salesman, explains the secrets of his...

Bought by PRX Remix, KFAI Minneapolis, WYBC, KSUT, and Public Interactive


  • Added: Sep 03, 2004
  • Length: 10:14
  • Purchases: 5
Piece image
Once, Jimmy Roy owned half the businesses in Braddock, Pennsylvania, a steel town just outside Pittsburgh. Braddock's decline paralleled Jimmy's. B...

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Sep 03, 2004
  • Length: 19:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Profile of an illegal immigrant, working as a cleaner, trying to make her way in America.

Bought by WDBM, PRX Remix, KCUR, KSUT, Public Interactive and more


  • Added: Sep 03, 2004
  • Length: 18:47
  • Purchases: 7