Nonfiction: Work, circa 1910

[bobstro]

While staying at a quaint little hotel in Portland, OR one week, I started idly flipping through one of the decorative books on the shelf. The title was something along the lines of "the world of work". What caught my attention was the author's use of manpower as a measure of "modern" convenience. He likened the typical American's lifestyle as one of a Caliph with 10,000 slaves. Unfortunately, I put it back on the shelf, and the place closed shortly thereafter.

I know this is a long shot, but I'd really appreciate it if anybody has run across this title and would let me know what it was!

[pjpick]

I found some volumes of periodicals in the early 1900s of "The World's Work". Could it have been a volume of several periodicals? There are some editions (by year) entitled "A History of our Time".

[bobstro]

That doesn't sound like the book, but it does sound interesting. I am particularly trying to find some basis for measuring modern lifestyle conveniences in terms of "manpower", and the old title seemed like an excellent starting place. Are those publications in electronic format?

I just realized I forgot to mention that the original book's cover was blue, no jacket.