This book investigates the profound shift in human identity that occurs when personal worth becomes inextricably linked to professional occupation. Al Gini, a professor of business ethics, examines the historical and psychological evolution of the 'work ethic' in Western society. He argues that the modern individual has increasingly outsourced their sense of self to the workplace, leading to a crisis of identity when employment status changes or fails to provide fulfillment. The text utilizes a blend of sociological observation and philosophical inquiry to challenge the assumption that one's job should be the primary definition of one's character.

Experts in organizational behavior and sociology often cite this work for its accessible synthesis of complex labor theories. Readers frequently note that the prose remains grounded and avoids overly dense academic jargon while providing a clear critique of modern career-centric culture.