Dirty Work by Eyal Press Book Review

Released: 5^th January 2023

Genre: Non-Fiction, Society, Politics

Number of Pages: 270

In the 21^st Century our day-to-day lives in the west feel easier and more convenient than ever. Supermarkets with all the food we could ever want, digital technologies that provide seamless connection, machinery that has sped up manufacturing and removed much of the manual labour. But there is a grim underbelly to all our modern progress, one described vividly by Eyal Press’s Dirty Work. One part history lesson and the other social commentary, it’s a sombre but necessary investigation.

Across four parts, Press delves into America’s prison system, drone operators, animal slaughterhouses and dangerous environments like oil rigs. All are shown to be deeply flawed from a moral and ethical standpoint; half-hearted safety regulations, poor treatment of employees and major psychological impacts are described in detail across a series of interviews. Our modern society is built on the backs of the poor, marginalised and exploited, with politics and a general indifference from the population allowing bad behaviour to go unchallenged.

The author met with each worker in person, allowing them to relay their personal experiences in full detail. It feels very personable as we see the impact these foul jobs have on their health, relationships and professional reputations. Between sweeping incidents under the rug in a prison setting and the mental degeneration of those exposed to graphic imagery, we are given a window into lives that would otherwise be hidden from view. With these authentic viewpoints established, the question of why we allow this kind of treatment to unfold and what can be done about it lands brilliantly.

Recommended?

YES: Dirty Work casts a magnifying glass on the jobs that many of us would be repulsed by. It doesn’t shy away from the more unpleasant elements and homes in on the real human impact. It’s a compact book that could be expanded upon in a follow-up, but if you’re looking to find out more about hidden injustices and poor treatment, this is a revealing read.