Steel: The Diary of a Furnace Worker

"Steel: The Diary of a Furnace Worker" by Charles Rumford Walker is a firsthand account styled as a diary, sharing the author's experiences as a steel mill worker in the post-World War I era. The narrative follows Walker as he moves from military service to grappling with the grueling work inside a steel plant, showing the reader the intense heat, exhaustion, and connection among the workers. Walker's initial days are depicted with vivid descriptions of the noisy, dangerous environment and the steep learning curve of manual labor. His relationships with fellow workers expose the variety of backgrounds present in the mill and touches on the difficulties caused by communication barriers. This sets the stage for a deeper study of labor issues, the industrial world, and Walker's personal growth as he comes to terms with the physical demands and social dynamics of steel production in America.