EPISODE · Sep 18, 2025 · 16 MIN
The Working Tapes, Revisited
from Radio Diaries · host Radio Diaries & Radiotopia
In the early 1970s, author Studs Terkel interviewed the owners of Duke & Lee's Auto Repair in Geneva, Illinois, for his bestselling book, Working. He went to talk to them about fixing cars. What he found was a story about fathers and sons working together, and the tensions within a family business. We went back to Duke & Lee's four decades later and found the family business still intact—tensions and all.That was nine years ago. Recently, we heard that the family, and the auto shop, had gone through some big changes. So we got back in touch.This week, the story of a family and their business at three moments in history. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
What this episode covers
In the early 1970s, author Studs Terkel interviewed the owners of Duke & Lee's Auto Repair in Geneva, Illinois, for his bestselling book, Working. He went to talk to them about fixing cars. What he found was a story about fathers and sons working together, and the tensions within a family business. We went back to Duke & Lee's four decades later and found the family business still intact—tensions and all. That was nine years ago. Recently, we heard that the family, and the auto shop, had gone through some big changes. So we got back in touch. This week, the story of a family and their business at three moments in history.
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The Working Tapes, Revisited
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