The Iron Puddler: My Life in the Rolling Mills and What Came of It

"The Iron Puddler: My Life in the Rolling Mills and What Came of It" by James J. Davis is a story about a man's transformation from a new immigrant facing the difficulties of working in America's iron and steel factories, to becoming a strong voice for workers' rights. The memoir emphasizes never giving up, the value of hard work, and the vital role education plays for those in the working class, showing this through Davis' creation of the Mooseheart School for kids who needed help. The opening gives a picture of Davis’s early days, the tough lives of laborers, and a courtroom story that shows how confusing legal language made things difficult for working people. The story goes back to in his family history and the principles his parents taught him, influencing his opinions on work and learning. His early life in Wales, his family's move to America, and the tough conditions of working in mills is all depicted, showing the determination needed to do well during a time of quick industrial growth.