The Crane Author:Reiner Zimnik In an ever-expanding city, one young man lands the job of his dreams: operator of the tallest crane around. Since others envy his position, he never leaves his crane, always eager for the day — and work — to begin. As the seasons pass, man and machine almost become one. "The crane was a giant with iron sinews, and the craneman was its heart." Th... more »en people begin to hoard their goods, grinning ravens multiply throughout the land, and war is at hand. But the craneman never falters, remaining at his post even when the land is flooded, waiting for reconstruction to begin.« less