The crucial question -- The false rationale -- When work is good -- How good work goes bad -- The technology of ideas -- The future of work.

An analysis of the purpose of work in people's lives demonstrates how work operates in American culture and how everyday people can find happiness in the workplace, explaining the importance of career goals.

Why do we work? The question seems so simple, but the answer is surprising, complex, and urgent. We've long been taught that the reason we work is primarily for a paycheck. In fact, we've shaped much of our society to accommodate this belief. Then why are so many people dissatisfied with their work, despite healthy compensation? And why do so many people find immense fulfillment and satisfaction despite working low-paying jobs? Through this investigation of workers from all walks of life, Professor Barry Schwartz dispels this myth. From hospitals to hair salons, auto plants to boardrooms, Schwartz reveals the trends and patterns that lead to happiness in the workplace, ultimately proving that the root of what drives us to do good work can rarely be incentivized, and that the cause of bad work is often an attempt to do just that. How did we get to this tangled place? How do we change the way we work? With great insight and wisdom, this book shows us how to take our first steps toward understanding--and empowering us all to find great work.--Jacket flap.