What is the relationship between our working lives and our private ones? Why are the expressions "get a life" and "get a job" both necessary and antithetical? Are our jobs curses, callings, or both? These are some of the questions posed here by Joanne Ciulla in her examination of the place of work in our lives. Drawing on history, mythology (both ancient and contemporary), popular culture, and practical experience, Ciulla explores the complex, often tendentious relationship between our jobs and our lives, inviting readers to think critically about work and its impact on our lives.