Dirty Work

Why people recommend it

Dirty Work by Eyal Press is a work of investigative reportage that examines essential yet hidden jobs and the profound toll of inequality in America. On The Book Review podcast, Gal Beckerman shared this title as a personal favorite work of reportage outside of the official best books list, praising its exploration of modern labor. Pamela Paul introduced guest Eyal Press to discuss his book, Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America, during an interview segment. Gal Beckerman brought up Eyal Press's book once more during the show's reading segment, mentioning that he had just finished reading the author's third book and highlighting its focus on essential jobs and the hidden toll of inequality. The podcast contributors emphasized how the book exposes the moral injury experienced by workers performing society's most difficult and overlooked tasks, from factory farming to prison administration. Through these conversations, the speakers underscored the vital importance of examining who bears the burden of labor in a deeply unequal society, making Press's investigation a compelling subject for readers interested in social justice and labor ethics.