Engineers appear in recent social science as central, though somewhat elusive, figures. They play a particularly critical role in the various attempts to understand the impact of 'science-based' industry on the class structure of advanced capitalist societies. In this book, Peter Whalley brings these engineers into sharper focus. He argues that engineers should not be seen as members of a glamorous 'new class' of professionalized knowledge workers, nor as a radicalized 'new working class' or partially de-skilled technical proletariat. Rather, they should be viewed as 'trusted employees,' selected, socialized, trained, and rewarded to perform the discretionary tasks necessarily delegated by employers in the complex organizations of advanced capitalism. The book draws extensively on observations and interviews to compare engineers' work and understanding in the high- and low-tech settings of two British companies: "Computergraph," an advanced electronics firm, and "Metalco," a traditional British engineering giant. Whalley compares the technical work structure of Britain with those of France and the United States. He argues that the impact of technological change on class structure is critically mediated by nationally specific modes of organizing technical work and producing trusted workers. The book goes beyond cultural explanations of these national variations to examine how they are created and reproduced in the organization of work and the structuring of occupations.
When Alan is accused of murdering a neighbor's daughter, a domestic thriller with surprising twists is set in motion. Alan's father eventually discovers the truth and takes matters into his own hands, with tragic results.
Most books on the subject of work focus on the increased amount of time Americans spend on the job. Peter Meiksins and Peter Whalley address the counter-trend, examining the difficult path traversed by people who choose to work less than the standard, forty-hour week. Their fascinating investigation of alternative work arrangements speaks directly to the concerns of all workers who must balance career with other commitments.Through interviews with technical professionals from a wide range of employment settings, Putting Work in Its Place refutes the popular myth of the customized work schedule as inevitably a "mommy-track" or a return to traditionalism among women. Most of these workers—male and female, young and old—remain strongly committed to their jobs, but wish to combine work with other activities they value just as highly. This can mean family for some, but for others encompasses community service or various avocations.By viewing their work arrangements in the longer term, and not as short-term expedients, these professionals are challenging the accepted view of time requirements for careers in organizations. They are also helping to shape a new agenda for the future of the workplace: to transform their individual successes into a normal practice of customized work time.
Angel's Downfall Angela Jones' mother Rita is dancer who is tragically widowed in the closing stages of the war and left almost destitute. Angela's wealthy grandparents at first reject Angela. Eventually they begin to build a strong relationship with her, but then are killed in a plane crash when she is nine years old. Angela's life is forced into further turmoil when her mother remarries. Deeply unhappy she pursues her dream of emulating both her father and her grandparents by becoming a doctor. With her life on an even keel and with university medical school beckoning, her Step father and half brother are killed in a car crash. Her mother is left unable to walk after the accident and turns against her and she is forced to give up her dream of going to medical school to look after her crippled mother. Lonely and devoid of love and friendship, Angela has an adulterous affair. Shunned by her mother and many of those she loves, she is finally able to begin her studies, but with no financial support. To make ends meet she leads a double life as a medical student and as 'Angel' an exotic dancer. Yet her past haunts her. Her mother is murdered and for a while Angela is a suspect. A mysterious tin box is discovered in her mother's effects that reveal secrets about her mother past life and Angela finds out that she could have enemies who seek to do her harm. Finally Angela becomes a doctor and marries into a wealthy family. Then over twenty years later a chance encounter leads to her downfall, as her mother's past life and her own past as a dancer begins to catch up with her, she is blackmailed and kidnapped. Will her life descend into a living nightmare from which there is no waking? Or will her true friends come to her rescue in time?
Jack has just been acquitted of manslaughter, and regales his girlfriend Maggie and their neighbours with a disparaging account of the trial. According to the evidence (most of it Jack's), the victim, Philip Mercer, had broken in late at night, and, on being confronted by Jack, produced a gun which Jack got hold of during the ensuing struggle and then used to kill Mercer. A clear case of self-defence. Or was it?2 women, 2 men
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