“‘Steel preferred’ is a punning title, the point being that Wellington Gay, born and brought up in the steel industry, can not be tempted away from it. There his personal success or failure must be made, and which it may be is a matter of secondary importance. Steel is his lode-star and his love. All he asks is to be permitted to take a hand somehow, somewhere, in the great game of steel-making. Chance takes him away from Steelburg, as chance has brought him there—in the same boxcar, to round out the coincidence. He has an uncommon knack for clerical work, and is presently offered a promising position in a city office. But chance once more sets him down at Steelburg, and the old spell takes him. Once more he becomes a cheerful drudge, overworked, unrecognized, and happy in the service of his mistress Steel. He is discovered after a while by a new manager, and given his first step upwards on the climb from roustabout to master of Steelburg. The point is that, whether as roustabout or ‘old man,’ the main thing with him is love of work and not love of personal reward or ‘success.’”—Review
“Boys and men will like this.”
+ Booklist 17:32 O ’20
“A good story well told and a vivid picture of the life of a big steel plant are combined in this very readable novel.”
+ N Y Times 25:26 Jl 25 ’20 420w
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
+ Review 3:214 S 8 ’20 650w
“An entertaining and inspiring story.”
+ Springf’d Republican p5a Ja 30 ’21 220w