Invisibles
The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
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- £3.49
Publisher Description
An inspiring look at the hidden stars in every field who perform essential work without recognition
In a culture where so many strive for praise and glory, what kind of person finds the greatest reward in anonymous work? Expanding from his acclaimed Atlantic article, "What Do Fact-Checkers and Anesthesiologists Have in Common?" David Zweig explores what we can all learn from a modest group he calls "Invisibles." Their careers require expertise, skill, and dedication, yet they receive little or no public credit. And that's just fine with them.
Zweig met with a wide range of Invisibles to discover first hand what motivates them and how they define success and satisfaction. His fascinating subjects include:
* a virtuoso cinematographer for major films.
* the lead engineer on some of the world's tallest skyscrapers.
* a high-end perfume maker.
* an elite interpreter at the United Nations.
Despite the diversity of their careers, Zweig found that all Invisibles embody the same core traits. And he shows why the rest of us might be more fulfilled if we followed their example.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Building upon his 2012 Atlantic article "What Do Fact-Checkers and Anesthesiologists Have in Common," in his nonfiction debut, journalist Zweig presents an entertaining, good-natured exploration of the mindsets and psyches of "invisibles" people whose passions have required years of training and experience, but who happily toil in obscurity for the love of the work itself, rather than fame. As Zweig notes, it's this very single-mindedness in the quest for excellence and the emphasis on getting the job done that research suggests correlates with both happiness and business success. The book's strength is in Zweig's portraits of those dedicated workers behind the scenes, including a ghost writer; a perfume maker for celebrity brands; a structural engineer; an interpreter at the United Nations; a cinematographer; and a guitar tech for rock bands. The author's genuine respect for his subjects shines through and keeps these stories lively.
