ROBOTS OR MEN?

By H. DUBBEDIL.Harper and Brothers. 1980.

Is the American worker, under the regime of mass production and scientific managementrobot or human being? In contrast to the familiar practice of visiting lecturers, professional travelers and philosopher-dramatist, M. Dubreuil, a French workman, attempts to answer the question out of a background of first-hand experience. He worked fifteen months in American factories, usually as a skilled machinist, occasionally as an unskilled laborer. His pages bear the stamp of authenticity.

A shrewd observer, M. Dubreuil avoids extremes. Impressed as he is by America's mechanical triumphs, industrial organization, hygienic provisions or workers' housing conditions when compared to European standards, he recognizes the importance of the human relations which must be developed within the machine technique. But even here he feels that the outlook is far from depressing.

Department of Citizenship.