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:

    If a girl’s a stewardess, she might as well forget it after twenty-six. They no longer have compulsory retirement, but the girls get into a rut at that age. A lot of them start showing the rough life they’ve lived.
    Beryl Simpson, U.S. employment counselor; former airline reservationist. As quoted in Working, book 2, by Studs Terkel (1973)

    What was really horrifying about jail is that it really isn’t horrifying. You adjust very easily.
    Roberta Victor, U.S. prostitute. As quoted in Working, book 2, by Studs Terkel (1973)

    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)

    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)

    The machine invades me all day.
    Sharon Atkins, U.S. receptionist. As quoted in Working, book 2, by Studs Terkel (1973)