Blood, Sweat and Tears: The Evolution of Work [Paperback]

For six years journalist Richard Donkin made the subject of work his own vocation, and in Blood, Sweat and Tears he places defining moments from its historical development into a cohesive and revealing perspective. Literally starting when humans first began perfecting recognisable employment skills, Donkin examines the critical touchstones that followed and the ways they fit together. Citing sources as disparate as The Dilbert Principle and Peter Drucker's The Future of Industrial Man, he addresses the impact of slavery, organised religion, the time clock, child labour, unionisation, the mid-20th-century workplace appropriations of the German and Japanese governments, women on the factory floor and in the boardroom and current management trends. While cautioning against the further interweaving of work into the "texture of our domestic existence", he notes that the transformation this is now driving is but the latest in an age-old process. "The concept of revolution", he concludes, "is wholly inadequate in describing the changes in the way we live and this thing we call work." --Howard Rothman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

As we speed-read The Road Less Travelled...Richard Donkin's new book Blood, Sweat and Tears is another must-read. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Donkin introduces excellent and intellectual analyses about the theories, practices and individuals that have helped change and shape the working world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The scope of this book, which covers work since neolithic times, is astonishing. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

This work poses thoughful questions about our definition of work and is recommended for academic and business libraries. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

An intelligent and thoroughly readable analysis of the nature of work. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

One of the most interesting books I've read, it will make you appreciate how easy we have it compared to workers of the past. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Donkin spent nearly a year in the British Library writing this fascinating book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

..this is a real page-turner for anyone with an interest in capitalism and/or globalisation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"...scholarly, vivid, impeccably paced vignettes of great technologies, technologists and managers. I recommend it." James Woudhuysen

"Publication of the week"

analyses the development, from prehistory to the modern era, of work, examining influences such as slavery, the guilds, trade secrets and the impact of religion

Donkin has turned the dull as nails question of what labour is through history into a page-turner of a book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Donkin offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of the modern world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Both interesting and entertaining, it is succinctly written and neatly put together. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

...move down the high-trust road with relationships build on respect and dignity. Donkins splendid book can only help. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

His book is a pleasantly meandering history of work from the Stone Age to the present, rich with engaging vingnettes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Donkin identifies new and future trends that hold out great possiblilites for enriching our work experience... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Donkin has a neat touch in bringing to life pioneers of the process of change in employment practices.... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Blood, Sweat & Tears is a captivating history of work, from prehistoric times to the present day. It offers fascinating and intelligent analyses of the individuals, assumptions, theories, developments, and practices that have so much changed work. Based on detailed research from around the world, the author examines early societies, slavery, the guilds, the creation of trade secrets and the influence of religion on work (such as the humanist ideals of the great Quaker industrialists). Donkin also investigates the ideas of the theorists, such as F. W. Taylor, Max Weber, Elton Mayo, Mary Parker Follett, and W. Edwards Demming, and the impact they have had on our lives. And, controversially, the author challenges the work ethic on behalf of all those whose lives have increasingly become subsumed by the demands of employers, asking the question: Why do we do it?

Richard Donkin is a leading columnist and writer on the Financial Times newspaper, specialising in work and management topics. He regularly appears on radio and contributes to other leading magazines on issues relating to business. He lives in London with his wife and children.