Overview
The author of Three Minutes in Poland and Practicing uncovers the identities of the Empire State Building construction workers, made famous by Lewis W. Hine’s legendary portraits.
This little-known chapter of American labor history captures forgotten stories and features more than 75 photos and other illustrations—some by Hine that have never been seen before—of working class, immigrant, and indigenous lives who built the architectural icon.
Who built the Empire State Building? Astonishingly, no list of workmen on this historic landmark was ever compiled. While the names of the owners, architects, and contractors are well known, and Lewis Hine left us indelible images of the workers, their identities—the last generation of workmen still practicing these time-honored trades, have not been identified until author Glenn Kurtz unearthed their individual stories for this book.
Drawing on eclectic sources—census, immigration, and union records; contemporary journalism; the personal recollections of their descendants—Kurtz assembles biographies of these workers, providing not only a portrait of the building’s labor force, and a revolutionary re-interpretation of Hine’s world-famous photographs, but also a fundamental reimagining of what made the Empire State Building a fitting symbol for the nation, built as it was at the very height of the Great Depression.
For ninety years, photographer Lewis W. Hine’s iconic portraits and photographs have served as potent symbols of America in the early 1930s. Yet as famous as Hine’s images are, they have never been seen in their proper historical context. By identifying the individuals that built the early skyscraper, Men at Work transforms Hine’s evocative portraits from abstract symbols of an era into documentary evidence of specific, working-class, immigrant and indigenous American lives.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Men at Work (The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen who Built It), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Men at Work (The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen who Built It).