This collection of prose, poems, manifestoes, songs, memoirs, and oral histories taps a rich vein of Pacific Northwest literature. From pioneer journals to union tracts and cyberpunk fiction, the writings gathered here portray work life in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

The forty-three selections reveal the lives of the region's working people and insights into the nature of work in the Northwest, including the natural beauty of the land, the rough and perilous employments, and the often bloody tradition of labor radicalism and organizing. The writings detail workers' triumphs and frustrations on the region's farms, in its forests, on its waterways, and in its offices, stores, and factories. Many are the observations of laborers themselves; others are the product of writers who gave voice to the concerns of the working class.

The selections are arranged according to three broad themes that trace the evolution of the Northwest's laboring classes: expressions of optimism toward work; growing disillusionment; and a postmodern or ironic sensibility in attitudes toward work. Headnotes introduce each selection, providing historical and literary context.