Journeyman’s Dues
A BOOK OF JOBS
A memoir of experiences as a young carpenter 50 years ago in large-scale building projects on the West Coast. Monumental work such as the St. Mary’s Cathedral & the Palace of Fine Arts…as well as the grind of freeways and high-rises. Adventures, human drama, & carpentry lore: How can you not?
The book moves from job to job touching particularly on very significant projects in San Francisco: the Palace of Fine Arts, St. Mary's Cathedral, Moscone Center and the Unitarian Church. On some jobs the salient memories have to do with the technical wonders...like a complex roof structure on a cathedral. On others, it's the particular dynamic of a crew finding its voice as union brothers. Some chapters describe a near-death experience, or a racially-charged confrontation. And every story reveals the kinds of people who did this work half a century ago, how they coped with the outer world of the war in Vietnam, and the cultural rebellion...while living a life of anonymous hard labor.
AVAILABLE FOR BAY AREA READINGS
reviews
“Excellent storytelling, well told, vivid and informative. It was with great empathy that you introduced your work partners to make them part of your stories. I thought your digression on tools and words was terrific, great exposition! All in all, the tone, the pacing, kept me turning the pages.”
“Thank you for writing this book! Beyond the warm and carefully fitted sentences (some: the love that gravity has for this element… are astonishing) your story really captures our story. It feels like a deep confirmation of a personal truth.”
“I really could hardly put it down. Well written, and atmospheric as hell. I’m so glad your nine lives helped you survive some very close calls.” ”
AUTHOR
eric johnson
PUBLISHER
iota press
ISBN-10: 0977384330
ISBN-13: 978-0977384334
MSRP: $20.00
CONTACT
www.iotapress.com
iota@sonic.net
the author
Eric Johnson is a retired West Coast carpenter and current writer, poet, letterpress printer, and artist living in Sebastopol, California.