"Sarah Jaffe examines the 'labor of love' myth: the idea that certain work is not really work, and therefore should be done out of passion instead of pay. Told through the lives and experiences of workers in various industries (from the unpaid intern, to the overworked nurse, to the nonprofit worker, and even the professional athlete) Jaffe reveals how all of us have been tricked into buying into a new tyranny of work. As Jaffe argues, understanding the trap of the labor of love will empower us to work less and demand what our work is worth. And once freed from those binds, we can finally figure out what actually gives us joy, pleasure, and satisfaction"-- Provided by the publisher.

Includes a preface to the paperback edition and a reading group guide.

Introduction: Welcome to the working week --What we might call love. -- Nuclear fallout: the family -- Just like one of the family: domestic work -- We strike because we care: teaching -- Service with a smile: retail -- Suffer for the cause: nonprofits -- Enjoy what you do! -- My studio is the world: art -- Hoping for work: interns -- Proletarian professions: academia -- Playbor of love: technology -- It's all fun and games: sports -- Conclusion: What is love?.