If Ben Hamper never existed, Michael Moore would not be where he is today. Hamper was recruited to write for Flint Voice, Moore's lefty, underground magazine in Michigan after Hamper had sent dismissive letters about the contents of the mag. What resulted was a column "I, Rivethead" which was syndicated across the USA and won a loyal following. Reading this book it is easy to see why. Hamper talks of life on the rivet line, working for General Motors, it is brutal and honest and very, very funny. It shows both the resourcefulness of working people to cope with their hopeless situations, it shows the ridiculousness of the corporate thinking of managers in places such as GM, but mostly is shows a true wordsmith and storyteller at work. I have bought this book about 7 or 8 times, sometimes as a present to someone but mostly for myself, because whenever I lend it to someone I never get it back. Still, buying it again gives me the perfect chance to read it again :0)