This collection examines the intersection of individual eccentricity and the broader cultural landscape through a series of biographical profiles. Mark Singer, a long-time staff writer for The New Yorker, utilizes his extensive experience in long-form journalism to document the lives of unique figures. By focusing on specific, often overlooked individuals, the book argues that the character of a society is best understood through the idiosyncratic details of its most colorful members.

Critics frequently praise Singer for his observational precision and his ability to find compelling narratives in ordinary lives. Readers often note the polished, classic New Yorker style that defines the prose throughout the collection.