I vividly remember having a great fondness for this particular piece. It left quite an impression on me initially. However, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma.

While I do have a positive inclination towards it, I feel compelled to hold back from awarding it a score higher than three at this moment.

The reason being that I believe a proper re-reading is in order. There could be aspects that I might have overlooked or not fully grasped during my first encounter.

By re-reading it sometime in the future, I hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding and be able to assess it more accurately.

Until then, I will have to settle for a three and look forward to the opportunity to reevaluate and potentially upgrade my rating.

I gave this book four stars, and not five, for several reasons.

First, the book is rather short. Once the author begins, his storytelling is sufficient, and as he delves deeper into the horrors of some of his jobs, it becomes more vivid for the reader. Although his attitude at the workplaces is often less than enthusiastic, the description of the daily grind evokes a great deal of empathy without coming across as self-pitying, overly angry, or unreasonable.

Secondly, the book is not a "manifesto." While I'm not entirely sure what constitutes a manifesto, this book is simply a first-person narrative. However, I prefer reading people's accounts of working life and dealing with nonsense from managers, customers, and co-workers rather than an abstruse "new" perspective on labor.

Finally, the book received four stars instead of three because it will resonate with anyone who has endured the nightmare of using multiple W-2 forms when filing taxes for a single year or has come home after a ten or twelve-hour day, eaten a pot of macaroni and cheese with ketchup, and collapsed into a deep sleep until the next shift. Additionally, it's refreshing to hear someone's working stories without having to justify them with platitudes about winning, getting ahead of others, investing, or having a strange, sociopathic attitude towards doing a great job.

At the same time, the author is a bit of a "dude" who could benefit from reading Marx or some blue-collar labor literature. He's a bit of an "anti-intellectual," but his honesty shines through when he says that after working in the heat or cold, all anyone really wants to do on their day off is eat pizza and drink beer.

I'll never get enough of this book and its griping.

It's always good to go back to it when you're ready for a change yourself.

This book serves as a great reminder that you could always have it worse, as Levison discovers.

However, it also emphasizes that work is just work, especially when you're not paid nearly enough.

Sometimes, you have to know when to quit.

There are times when you have to quit even when you don't know what you'll do instead.

It takes courage and self-awareness to make such a decision.

But by reading this book, you might gain the perspective and inspiration you need to take that leap.

Whether it's leaving a job that no longer fulfills you or making a major life change, this book can help you see that there are always possibilities.

So, if you're feeling stuck or in need of a change, give this book another read.

You might be surprised at what you discover.

The author vividly recounts a series of the numerous jobs he has held over the years.

Each job presented its own set of challenges and difficulties, and he had to constantly strive and struggle to make it through.

The experiences were often depressing, filled with long hours, low pay, and unappreciative bosses.

However, despite the hardships, there were also moments of interest and learning.

He met a diverse range of people, gained valuable skills, and discovered new aspects of himself.

Reading about his journey is both a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of the working world and an inspiring tale of perseverance and determination.

It makes us realize that even in the face of adversity, we can find meaning and growth in our jobs and in our lives.

Overall, the author's account is a fascinating and thought-provoking read that offers insights into the human experience of work and the pursuit of success.

Hilarious adventures!

We all love a good adventure that makes us laugh out loud. These adventures are filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the kind of humor that leaves us in stitches.

Whether it's a misadventure on a road trip, a crazy encounter with a wild animal, or a hilarious mix-up at a party, these adventures always make for great stories.

One of the best things about hilarious adventures is that they bring people together. We share our laughter and our experiences, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

So the next time you're looking for a good time, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embark on a hilarious adventure. You never know what kind of fun and laughter awaits you!

I truly relished this book. I understand why it might not have universal appeal, yet how could I turn away from a saga about a man armed with a seemingly useless English degree, desperately striving to find employment and carve out a place for himself in the world? Technically speaking, Levinson is in a slightly better position than I am, as he never pursued graduate school! Putting aside my personal musings, I have a great deal of admiration for Levinson's narrative. It manages to encapsulate intense bitterness while still maintaining a charming hint of openness. Instead of simply wallowing in self-pity over his fate, he persists in trying to make things work. He takes on jobs that might not appear very glamorous, hoping to learn the ropes and make ends meet. Although I wouldn't describe him as overly ambitious, he is a fast learner, and it always seems incredibly unjust when he is let go just as he's getting good at a job. But this is one of the fundamental aspects of the life of the chronically underemployed.

Levinson doesn't rely on a plethora of theoretical concepts to explain his situation and how he arrived there. However, I believe this is one of the book's greatest strengths. He simply doesn't have the luxury of time for abstraction anymore. The harsh reality of having to cram a room full of fish onto a conveyor belt in Alaska would undoubtedly suppress any inclination to philosophize in even the most wretched of souls.

Another aspect of this book that deeply resonated with me was the way Levinson emerged as a character caught between two worlds. He undertakes physically demanding, menial jobs, yet his educated mind constantly reminds him that this is not the future he merits. In fact, Levinson's academic training makes it significantly more challenging for him to come to terms with the fact that there is no waiting career for him. In this lousy economy, there is simply no room for one more English major. In other words, education actually hampers his ability to adapt and find some semblance of rhythm in the soulless monotony of manual labor.

At first, the lack of a clear sense of time in "A Working Stiff" bothered me. Levinson would mention how long he'd been working at a particular job, but it was difficult to keep track of the cumulative months and years these various jobs represented. However, as I delved deeper into the book, I realized that this temporal blurring was precisely the point. For those who drag themselves out of bed every morning to work at jobs they know they're overqualified for, time seems both interminable and unmarked. Now, for the big question: How does he manage to make this bleak scenario humorous?

This statement seems to be a rather concise evaluation of something. It implies that whatever is being referred to was enjoyable or amusing in some way, but didn't really provide a great deal more substance or value.

Perhaps it was a movie, a book, or an event that was entertaining on the surface, but failed to have a deeper impact or offer any significant insights. It could have been lacking in meaningful character development, a complex plot, or any real takeaways that would make it truly memorable.

However, it's important to note that entertainment can still have its place. Sometimes, we just want to be entertained and don't necessarily expect a profound experience. But if we're looking for something more substantial, something that will challenge our minds or touch our hearts, then we might be disappointed by something that only offers entertainment without much else.

In conclusion, while entertainment is nice, it's not always enough. We should strive to seek out experiences that offer both entertainment and something more, something that will leave a lasting impression and enrich our lives in some way.

This book is truly reminiscent of Office Space, but it's tailored for the lower middle class in America.

Levison's writing style is nothing short of hilarious. It's filled with sardonic humor that at times feels almost too relatable, hitting way too close to home.

Unlike the corporate drone Peter Gibbons, who needs hypnosis to take action, Levison is not one to take any nonsense. He is quick-witted and confrontational, constantly jumping from job to job, coast to coast, all in pursuit of his next paycheck.

As he does so, he leaves behind a trail of angry bosses, disgruntled coworkers, and even active arrest warrants.

For those who have worked in retail, food service, or middle management, many of the stories in this book will seem all too real.

However, it's his misadventures in Alaska and his exploits as a one-time trucker that keep the story fresh and upbeat.

These elements also show just how far a person with an English B.A. can go in life.

Overall, this book offers a unique and entertaining perspective on the working lives of the lower middle class in America.

The subtitle of this book is truly eye-catching: "A Memoir of Thirty Jobs I Quit, Nine That Fired Me, and Three I Can't Remember." It neatly sums up the essence of the author's experiences.

The author vividly recounts a series of misadventures in various jobs. Some of these jobs offer meager pay, while others are extremely challenging, and in some cases, both.

What makes this book particularly engaging is the author's excellent sense of humor and sarcasm. These elements not only make the book a great and quick read but also give readers a taste of what it's really like to work in some of these jobs. For example, the description of working on a fishing boat in Alaska is both vivid and captivating.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm also aware that the author wrote a novel after this memoir. I sincerely hope that he has finally managed to break free from the cycle of dead-end jobs and is now making a comfortable living as a writer. After all, one can only hope for the best!

I will admit that Levison comes across as rather bitter at times. However, being the possessor of a seemingly useless Master's degree that fails to land a job paying more than $13 an hour, I somewhat understand the source of his bitterness. Have my own choices led me to this situation in life? Indeed. On the other hand, there was a period when simply having a Master's degree would have presented a world of opportunities for me. Those days have long since passed, and unfortunately, I didn't realize this until it was too late. It's truly frustrating.

In the end, I found Levison's book to be more humorous and entertaining than depressing or enraging. His accounts of the Alaska fishing business are both disturbing and thrilling, yet also kind of enjoyable. Most of the time, I simply felt sorry for him. I have endured some really bad jobs, but none as bad as his.

This is an extremely easy read. I probably completed it in approximately a day. It's great for some quick, semi-lighthearted amusement.

Great story and plot! The author has truly crafted a remarkable piece. I was extremely impressed by how real and genuine the whole narrative felt. What really stood out to me was the author's witty incorporation of humour. It added a wonderful layer of depth and entertainment to the story. The way the humorous elements were seamlessly integrated made the reading experience all the more enjoyable. It was like a breath of fresh air, constantly keeping me engaged and entertained. I found myself laughing out loud at several points, which is a rare feat for a written work. The author's ability to balance the serious aspects of the story with the light-hearted humour was truly masterful. Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to others.

Iain Levison shares his professional experiences in the American job market. He bounces from one small job to another, enduring the humiliations of being a salaried worker. He works as a mover, a salesman, a fisherman, an electrician... He accepts anything that comes his way just to stay afloat. He sarcastically analyzes the employers' methods to motivate disillusioned employees, such as the possibility of becoming a boss, bonuses, various perks... only to find himself cheated every time (bogus training, deductions, having to pay for transportation...). It's a sharp view of the working world that I loved.

In my environment, it's different but there are similarities. We are constantly asked to work on projects, to "create meaning", to "invest ourselves", to develop our human or computer skills, to "fulfill ourselves", to "have fun"... but in fact, each additional task we are given is yet another useless chore that is never paid for. The hierarchy invents a new language every day that is increasingly "benevolent" to drown us in senseless tasks and keep us occupied and servile, perhaps hoping for a ridiculous raise or promotion that never comes. And when/if the promotion arrives, the cost of living has increased so much that there is no real difference with the regular salary. The salaried dictatorship, at least in my environment, demotivates the troops more than it incites them to work. This has led to a recruitment crisis, depressed or passive employees, suicides, a sense of failure and frustration... it has a performative effect. The more a person feels useless and devalued, the less they do and engage, and the more they feel useless and devalued... it's a vicious circle.

This book has meant a lot to me because it reinforces my view of work: an obligatory salaried servitude (when one is not wealthy) that constrains us from 8 am to 5 pm with no way out. Then one must find ways to distance oneself from one's servitude and find other ways to appreciate life.