This book investigates the social, psychological, and economic implications of choosing to live outside the traditional nine-to-five employment structure. Bernard Lefkowitz examines the lives of individuals who have opted out of conventional career paths, utilizing a series of interviews and sociological observations to construct a framework for understanding the motivations and consequences of this lifestyle choice. The text explores how these individuals navigate a society built upon the assumption of full-time labor and the resulting friction between personal autonomy and societal expectations.

Critics and sociologists often cite this work as a significant early exploration of the 'anti-work' movement and the cultural pressures of professional identity. Readers frequently note that the prose remains accessible while providing a detailed look at the personal challenges faced by those who reject standard career trajectories.