Working in the Shadows: A Year of Doing the Jobs (Most) Americans Won't Do

by Gabriel Thompson

Book Overview

What is it like to do the back-breaking work of immigrants? To find out, Gabriel Thompson spent a year working alongside Latino immigrants, who initially thought he was either crazy or an undercover... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568584083
• ISBN13: 9781568584089
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Nation Books
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.7" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

eye-opener

People who complain that immigrants come to the US. and take jobs from Americans should read this book. Unbelievable how some low income workers are treated.

I am glad I chose an education

First off full disclosure: I am a Mexican born 1986 Amnesty U.S. citizen. Growing up in Los Angeles and the interest that was put on our education I could have easily fallen into one of these jobs. From the time I was 15 (I lied about my age) and went to work for a temp agency along side other Mexicans that were here illegal or legal and uneducated. They would send us to the worst jobs, for instance a dog food company that had all the same characteristics of the chicken plant the author described. The one difference was I threw up after each shift because the smell was so nauseating. It was actually this job that made me choose education over sweat. Happy Chicken (this made me laugh) I applaud you for putting your money where your mouth is. Instead of just saying "Illegals" like the majority of America, you brought light that it is not just illegals that are being taken advantage of. It's every person citizen or non citizen that walks through the doors of these companies that care only about their shareholders. Please don't assume that I am anti Capitalism because I love profit as much as the next guy but not at the expense of workers, especially docking them for having to take their kids to the doctor or no sick days. Read the book get a first hand insight to what really happens at these kinds of jobs.

Page turner for sure !

This was an incredibly interesting read. Well written and fast paced. I finished it in two sittings and wished it were longer. Eye opening stuff I maybe didn't really want to know but nonetheless fascinating ! This guy can write ! Highly recommended !