Talking Steel Towns: The Men and Women of America's Steel Valley

by Ellie Wymard

This book captures the voices of the steel-driving men who built the ships and tanks for two World Wars as well as the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the United Nations and the Twin Towers -- and the voices of the Steel Valley women who fought their own battles against poverty and prejudice in the harsh world of the blast furnace.

Genres: History

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview, citing conversations with steel workers and their families, of the history of the "steel towns" of mainly Homestead and Braddock.

"Because we are all immigrants to this country, to honor the past of any is to strengthen us all. For in the alchemy of public and private memory is a mysterious and restorative grace." (13)

U.S. Steel recognized an outside union in March 1937, more than 40 years after the Homestead strike. (42) [I would have thought the workers were unionized earlier.]

"Ethnic and religious diversity was generally respected in neighborhoods, even when such tolerance was not transferred to the mills or bars by their husbands or fathers. For example, after finishing a shift, African-Americans were not welcome to drink in white men's bars. If a black man were served, the bartender would break his glass or wash it with salt and water." [I have heard the breaking glass story within my own family.]

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enjoyable memoir discusses the home and work life of families employed by the steel industry. I especially like that the discussion focuses on men's roles, women's roles and views from the children. You get a perspectives about emigrant life, racial differences, and the role of education and training.

I liked all the careful exploration of views from the community that made the book rich with details.