Hack: How I Stopped Worrying about What to Do with My Life and Started Driving a Yellow Cab

by Melissa Plaut

Book Overview

I had always thought about driving a cab, just thought it'd be interesting and different, a good way to make money. But it always seemed like a fleeting whim, a funny idea, something I would never... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812977394
• ISBN13: 9780812977394
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Villard Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Couldn't put Hack down

Hack is a brave and candid read that gave me a lot of insight into the taxi industry and taught me a lot that I didn't know even though I'm a native New Yorker. Here's what I learned: 1. Taxi drivers hate delays as much as you do even though the meter is running. 2. Tipping is expected in a manner similar to how we do in restaurants. 3. 12 hour days of NYC taxi driving makes this likely one of the toughest and most-stressful jobs on Earth. They should make a Dirty Jobs episode for this.

And People Wonder Why Most Cabbies are Foreigners

In this book, the author takes the reader on an interesting look at the world of driving a taxi cab in New York City. Having driven a cab myself back in the seventies in Boston, I know what she went through and just how tough the job really is. The author well describes the terrible drivers, the constant hustle, the tense interactions with the police and the lunatic customers that seem to be everywhere. The author describes the day to day tidbits of driving, interspersed with her own personal demons about the job. It is really one of those jobs you can love and hate at the same time. The only reason many drivers stay is because you can make good money doing it if you don't burn out first. I know it helped pay my way through college, which no minimum wage job could do. I would recommend this book to everyone, but in particular to those who use cabs often. Read what a driver feels and then examine your behavior while you are in the back seat. It may open your eyes a little.

great, honest read

I was reading Melissa's blog for a while before her book came out. The book alone is a good, fast read, chockful of great stories and insight. To further expand your experience from Melissa's viewpoint, read her blog as well. It adds an edge to the stories as a bonus not available with regular books not accompanied by blogs. I'm a native NYer and know the city well, and Melissa tells it like it is. I've also been wanting to drive a taxi for a few years but never had the guts to do it, until now thanks to Melissa (final test is today). What fun! Melissa's experiences are honest and real. Way to go!

This Is a Terrific Book!

This was a major discovery. Sharply written, keenly observed, often hilarious. A unique perspective on a great city by a fascinating young woman. For my money, one of the best books of 2007.

Hail that Taxi Book!

Melissa Plaut's disjointed but riveting style of writing takes you by her side, in the moment, through her life on this job. I feel like I've learned so much about Melissa and about taxi driving in NYC. It's alternately adventuresome, sad, frustrating, anger-inducing and definitely eye-opening. I wish the book were longer and I hope she'll write a follow up. [...].