A Working Stiff’s Manifesto, penned by Iain Levison, offers an entertaining perspective on the author's attempts to make a living with an English degree. Levison details the tiresome, exasperating, and often unfulfilling jobs he has held due to a lack of qualifications for other positions. Spanning 164 pages, Manifesto is a brisk read. While it may not be considered great literature nor have the power to transform lives, it provides an enjoyable examination of a rather disheartening (yet relatable) work experience.

The book takes readers on a journey through Levison's various employment stints, highlighting the challenges and absurdities he encountered along the way. From mind-numbing office tasks to physically demanding manual labor, his experiences serve as a reminder of the often less-than-glamorous side of the working world.

Despite its lighthearted tone, A Working Stiff’s Manifesto also touches on deeper themes such as the value of education, the struggle to find meaningful work, and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. It offers a humorous and honest account of what it's like to be a job seeker in a competitive market, and will likely resonate with anyone who has ever felt frustrated or disillusioned by their work.

Before you make the decision to spend a significant amount of money on degrees such as English, Film, or Philosophy, it is advisable to read this book. I am 60 years old and have finally come to understand why my parents were hesitant when I announced my intention to go to college to study French and filmmaking. (In fact, learning French was not a bad idea; I simply lack proficiency in other languages.)

I graduated with a BA in Film History and Theory, with a minor in Creative Writing. I had a strong desire to direct (a rather original idea!), but I did not enjoy the technical aspects of filmmaking. It took me 12 years to pay off my loans, and although I did engage in a significant amount of freelance writing for film reviews, I never earned a substantial income from my degree.

Iain Levison's life as an English major could have been my own. He held numerous low-paying, unfulfilling jobs. While reading his book, I was simultaneously nauseated and amused. He is an excellent writer and has at least managed to get a book published, which is something I have not accomplished. His experiences working on fishing boats and in canneries in Alaska were also things I considered when I lived in Seattle, and I am still grateful to my sister for dissuading me from pursuing such endeavors.

I believe this book should be taught in every school worldwide because it will enable students to have a better understanding of what to expect after graduating from college with a degree in the arts. No, I am not suggesting that people should not become writers or artists. When you see something you have created out in the public for others to see, it can be an incredibly fulfilling experience. However, if you choose this path, be prepared to work hard every day and truly love what you do. Do not pursue it solely for the money because not all of us will achieve the level of success enjoyed by Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. I think Iain should embark on a world tour, reading from his book and interacting with students (perhaps even providing them with counseling). He is the real deal.

And, even if you think, "shut up, loser" when you read this, make sure you learn some math so that you can handle transactions when the cash registers malfunction at Wal-mart, where you might be working until your creativity starts to generate sufficient income to pay the bills.

For all the hardships and difficulties this hardworking individual has endured ever since he graduated from college with an English degree, I am truly amazed that he still had the determination and passion to write this book.

From the moment I picked it up, I simply could not put it down. The story was so captivating and engaging that it held my attention from start to finish.

This book is not just a regular read; it is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. It is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Whether you are an English major or simply someone who enjoys reading, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. So, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today. You won't be disappointed!

An easy and interesting read,

this book is listed as a memoir. It leans more towards that than a deep exploration of the trials and tribulations of the working class.

Iain regales us with captivating anecdotes about the jobs he has held. His writing is of high quality, allowing the reader to at least gain an understanding of the hardships associated with each job.

In one instance, he worked at an upscale grocery store where the managers adhered strictly to corporate rules, sometimes even at the expense of logic and reality.

In another, he vividly describes the desperation of young men traveling to a rough and tumble Alaskan town in search of rent-free money.

Despite being written in 2002, this book still holds significant relevance 10 years later, with the exception of his analysis of the internet. Overall, it is a pretty good read.

This was a book that I had the pleasure of reading during my English 1302 class in college.

From the very first page, it managed to find a permanent place within my mind and my heart.

Whenever I am considering books to suggest to my friends, this particular one always springs to the forefront of my thoughts.

The level of relatability it offers is truly uncanny. It seems to touch on aspects of life and emotions that many of us can identify with on a deep level.

Moreover, it is a relatively quick read, which makes it even more accessible.

Despite its brevity, it packs a powerful punch and leaves a lasting impression.

You will surely be overjoyed that you happened to come across this literary gem.

It has the potential to change the way you view certain things and perhaps even inspire you in ways you never thought possible.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a meaningful and engaging read.

Give it a chance, and I am confident that you will not be disappointed.

Hysterical! Laugh out loud funny bad boy lit!

I must have been in some kind of strange mood when I first picked up this piece of literature. From the very moment I started reading it, I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. The words seemed to dance off the page and into my mind, creating a world full of excitement and mischief.

However, when I tried to share the hilarity with the people around me, their reactions were rather unexpected. Every time I read it aloud to them, they would kind of roll their eyes and give a polite laugh. It was as if they just didn't get the humor or the charm of this bad boy lit. But that didn't stop me from enjoying it myself. I continued to devour the pages, lost in the wild and crazy adventures of the characters.

Maybe this type of literature is not for everyone, but for me, it was a guilty pleasure that I couldn't resist.

I got such a kick out of this book.

The author of this book is not only funny but also a great writer.

As a fan of "Deadliest Catch", I had a particular enjoyment in reading about his harrowing experiences at sea.

This book is truly a good choice for those who think they have ever had the worst job on earth.

After reading it, you might come to the realization that perhaps your job wasn't so bad after all.

It's really quite humorous.

Overall, this book offers an engaging and entertaining read that can provide a new perspective on the concept of a "cruddy" job.

It makes you appreciate the challenges that others face and might even make you laugh along the way.

Whether you're a fan of maritime adventures or just looking for an interesting read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

So, pick it up and see for yourself how much fun it can be to explore the world through the eyes of this talented writer.

My experience of reading this was truly a rollercoaster of emotions.

I absolutely loved it from the very beginning. The story had a certain charm that kept me engaged and eager to turn the pages.

However, as I delved deeper into it, I started to find it increasingly sad. The events and the fates of the characters tugged at my heartstrings.

There came a point where I had to put it down for a while because the sadness was overwhelming.

But even after putting it aside, I couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled within me.

This book had such a powerful impact on me that it made me feel a range of emotions, from love and excitement to deep sadness and melancholy. It was a reading experience that I will not soon forget.

This is solely about work and nothing else.

He does mention friends and that he took a girl on a date, which indicates there are other aspects of his life. However, these are not addressed in this book. It's all centered around the jobs.

At first, I was rather disgusted. He complains that he can't seem to get ahead and that those with good, high-paying jobs are just lucky. He refuses to take a better-paying management job because it requires overtime, and he even steals from the places he works. Seriously?

But as you continue reading, you realize that this guy is actually willing to work. He takes almost any job available. The only thing holding him back, his only demand, is that he wants around 40 hours a week and an occasional day off. These aren't unreasonable demands. But job after job turns into a crazy, unreasonable nightmare. Since these jobs are at the bottom of the food chain, no one cares enough to make them livable. Fire the guy who doesn't want to work 80-hour weeks and bring in someone else. There's an endless supply of those willing to take the position. No benefits, no insurance, no problem.

You see the rejected interviews and the unlucky circumstances where he goes to work in the morning and is unemployed by night.

The prose may not be amazing, but it gets the point across, and several of the insights are great.

Definitely (unfortunately) a snapshot of our times.

Way before the last crisis, this remarkable book, which bears a resemblance to "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich, has the ability to vividly and compellingly展示 the true face of America, the true face of capitalism, and the true face of contemporary precariousness and hypocrisy.

As I delved into its pages, I couldn't help but highlight numerous phrases in the ePub version. Initially, I intended to review them before rating the book, but then I had a change of heart: no spoilers. This book is an absolute must-read, and that's all there is to it.

Think about it: 42 jobs in just 10 years. And to make matters worse, there is no health insurance. The author's experiences paint a vivid picture of the harsh realities that many people face in today's society. It's a wake-up call that forces us to confront the inequalities and injustices that exist.

This book is not only a captivating read but also a powerful commentary on the state of our world. It challenges us to think differently and to take action to create a more just and equitable society. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding the true nature of modern life.

I found it extremely difficult to have any sympathy for the author.

He appeared to put in the bare minimum of effort when it came to actually looking for a job that he could endure.

His approach to the job search seemed far too lackadaisical.

It was as if he felt that if he had to take a job that he considered "beneath" him, he would go to the extreme and only seek out menial or grunt jobs.

This attitude of his made it hard for me to understand or empathize with his situation.

It seemed that he was not really committed to finding a suitable job but rather was content with settling for something that he clearly did not want.

Perhaps if he had put in more effort and been more open-minded in his job search, he might have had a better chance of finding a job that he could at least tolerate, if not enjoy.

But as it stands, his lack of effort and negative attitude made it almost impossible for me to feel any sympathy for him.

I read a good and highly entertaining portion of this book.

However, after some time, once the seemingly useless wonder of the Liberal Arts degree was exploited for comical effect and the jobs he took on became increasingly depressing and blatantly manly, I started to feel bored.

I managed to finish the part where he talked about his stint as a mover, but I had to put the book down when he relocated to Alaska to engage in something related to salmon.

I simply lost interest. It's not that I had no idea how his crazy adventures would conclude. After all, I was reading the book, wasn't I?

But perhaps the initial charm had worn off, and I found myself less and less invested in his story as it took on a more mundane and unappealing tone.

Maybe I was expecting something more profound or exciting, and when that didn't materialize, I just couldn't bring myself to continue.

Nonetheless, it was an interesting read for a while, and it did manage to provide some moments of amusement and lightheartedness.

But in the end, it just wasn't enough to hold my attention until the very end.