Barbara Res found her way into Engineering in college. Although she had the highest Mathematics grades in her school and excelled at Science, she was steered into a career of teaching because she was a girl. Rebelling against the conventional wisdom, she planned first to major in computers and then later picked engineering because of the challenge. She graduated in 1972 as one of three women in a class of 800 and entered the rough and tumble world of construction. Unfortunately, construction remains a heavily male dominated industry, but in 1972, it was a "no woman's land", and Res met resistance at every turn, in the form of discrimination, sexual harassment and intimidation. She was literally barred from the work site, a move that prevented her from advancing in her job. She quit several positions because of discrimination. Finally, she took a chance on a part time position she parlayed into a career beginner with a major Construction company in NY. After holding several "men's jobs" in contracting, Res met Donald Trump, at the Grand Hyatt project he was developing for the hotel company. She impressed him and when he had a new ground up project, he installed her as Executive in charge of Construction. The project was the world famous Trump Tower and the rest is history - a history filled with travail and triumph. All on the 68th Floor tells the story of Res's journey, what she endured and accomplished. It also describes the process of building in a way that entertains and instructs. The book is chock full of anecdotes about the rich and famous who lived and shopped at the luxurious Trump Tower and presents a picture of Donald and Ivana Trump as builders, that the world has yet to see. The author also talks about other projects, like the restoration of the Plaza Hotel and the development of the West side of Manhattan. Contracts and contractors, unions and government, politics and payoffs, all of the intrigue that goes into developing property, getting approvals, getting tenants and finally building skyscrapers. But the essence of the book is frankly feminism. It is a call to women to be themselves and do what ever job they think they can do, whatever they want to do and not allow stereotypes to influence them. It is a rebuke to the notion that women need to think or act like men, stating to the contrary that there should be no norms to follow and that people should be individuals following their instincts and not allowing society to define who they are by what they do. Res points out the dismal statistics about the number of women in construction, about the discrimination that still exists and issues a call to action to women, businesses and politics to take steps to get more women into this lucrative field, for which they are well suited. This book has something for everyone and is guaranteed to amuse, inspire and challenge everyone who reads it.

All Alone on the 68th Floor: How One Woman Changed the Face of Construction

Biographies & Memoirs

Res, Barbara A.

Community & Culture

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

This is the memoir of a female engineer who rose to the top of the male dominated Construction business in New York City in the 1970s and 80s. During her time as an engineer in the field on construction projects, the author encountered sexual discrimination, harassment and intimidation. Undeterred, she achieved a position as the first woman to be in charge of the construction of a major skyscraper, the Trump Tower on 5th Avenue. The book is filled with interesting stories about what goes on at construction projects and what it takes to build a building in New York. There is much detail about her trials and tribulations working with Donald and Ivana Trump, and celebrity gossip about the people who looked at or bought apartments there. The book has a decidedly feminist tone and aspires to talk to women who endeavor to work in non-traditional roles. It is both funny and inspiring.

Memoirs

Tower of Lies: What My Eighteen Years of Working With Donald Trump Reveals About Him

Barbara A. Res worked directly with Donald Trump for eighteen years on some of his biggest projects and had nearly unlimited access to him. Trump selected Res to be in charge of construction of Trump Tower, his greatest success as a developer. In this insider’s look at how the ambitious real estate developer became the most divisive president in recent U.S. history, Res takes us into closed-door meetings, boardrooms, limo rides, and helicopter flights to really understand what makes him tick and show us why his claim to be a great dealmaker and savvy businessman is just a mirage. 
No one with this kind of access to Trump during his formative years as a developer has ever written so completely about who he is away from the cameras. It’s no wonder that when the media are looking for someone who really understands Trump, they turn to Res. Candid, personal, and deeply perceptive, Res shines new light on the man whose depravity has put us all—and democracy itself—in danger.

Historical

Graymalkin Media, LLC

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Res, Barbara A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Res, Barbara A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Res, Barbara A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

All Alone on the 68th Floor: How One Woman Changed the Face of Construction

All Alone on the 68th Floor: How One Woman Changed the Face of Construction

Tower of Lies: What My Eighteen Years of Working With Donald Trump Reveals About Him