Men at Work: The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen Who Built It

Men at Work: The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen Who Built It uncovers the previously unknown identities of the construction workers who appear in Lewis W. Hine’s iconic photographs. For almost one hundred years, these “anonymous” workers have illustrated the heroic tale of the Empire State’s record-breaking construction and America’s determination in the midst of the Great Depression. Now, for the first time, we learn the names and real-life histories of these ordinary men who built the world’s most famous skyscraper.

Forthcoming October 28, 2025, from Seven Stories Press.