Customer Reviews

The Oxford Book of Work

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The Oxford Book of Work is a very interesting collection of quotations, aphorisms and excerpts from mostly Western, mostly English writers on the topic of work. It reads in part like a breviary for Sunday School readings on the virtues of industry and vices of sloth, and yet has at least enough representation from Marx, Engels and Lawrence to let the reader know that for all the vaunted ruddy values of labour one isn't supposed to enjoy it after all. It's hard to know whether the Editor is Tory or Labour, however, one suspects the former due to the lack of Labour Law contributions. It could be argued that these omissions are due to the focus on classical texts, and not considering these fine laws to be worthy of inclusion in an Oxford gold gilded blue hard bound edition, well, it could leave an impression. One gets a mental picture of the editor struggling, nay, toiling with sweaty brows, ploughing the topsoil of old crusty CD roms in an Oxford vault somewhere in search of quotes on exertion. No doubt this, and a love for this painful topic, accounts for the rather redemptive view of work the book presents. Had all been drear whence the book itself? Lo! Mankind's strivings for sustenance, the ant-like mandibals digging in the maw of Earth and all for nothing! -No! better the black and blue of Oxford and Textile Workers! Get Up! The Caller Calls, Get UP you Nihilists! For your dignity is scratched in golden gild! Do not strike against Stalin in the Heavens, but camp on this toilsome factory lawn and spin your destiny well! -Eden's Reviewer