Studs Terkel

Studs Terkel

Louis "Studs" Terkel (May 16, 1912 – October 31, 2008) was an American author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1985 for “The Good War”, and is best remembered for his oral histories of common Americans, and for hosting a long-running radio show in Chicago.

Read more about Studs Terkel:  Early Life, Career, Later Life, Selected Works

Famous quotes by studs terkel:

    Mighty few young black women are doin’ domestic work. And I’m glad. That’s why I want my kids to go to school. This one lady told me, ‘All you people are gettin’ like that.’ I said, ‘I’m glad.’ There’s no more gettin’ on their knees.
    Maggie Holmes, African American domestic worker. As quoted in Working, book 3, by Studs Terkel (1973)

    At a time when pimpery, lick-spittlery, and picking the public’s pocket are the order of the day—indeed, officially proclaimed as virtue—the poet must play the madcap to keep his balance. And ours.
    Studs Terkel (b. 1912)

    It’s a hard feeling when everyone’s in a hurry to talk to somebody else, but not to talk to you. Sometimes you get a feeling of need to talk to somebody. Somebody who wants to listen to you other than ‘Why didn’t you get me the right number?’
    Heather Lamb, U.S. telephone operator. As quoted in Working, book 2, by Studs Terkel (1973)

    The first rule of education for me was discipline. Discipline is the keynote to learning. Discipline has been the great factor in my life. I discipline myself to do everything—getting up in the morning, walking, dancing, exercise. If you won’t have discipline, you won’t have a nation. We can’t have permissiveness. When someone comes in and says, ‘Oh, your room is so quiet,’ I know I’ve been successful.
    Rose Hoffman, U.S. public school third-grade teacher. As quoted in Working, book 8, by Studs Terkel (1973)

    I can’t be servile. I give service. There is a difference.
    Dolores Dante, U.S. waitress. As quoted in Working, book 5, by Studs Terkel (1973)