Explores the intelligence and cognitive skills involved in blue-collar work, and its implications for education and how we organize society. The author focuses first on a variety of different types of jobs, including waitressing, hairstyling, and a number of construction trades. I found the chapters on carpentry and welding especially interesting. The ideas that the author put forward were ones I was already familiar with, so it wasn't a true eye-opener for me, but it was interesting nonetheless. Although the book is ten years old, it remains relevant, and it would be great to see its insights reflected in the system - no such luck yet.