In this collection of curious short stories and odd little essays, C. L. Hoffman introduces us to a colorful array of "square pegs" and social desperados, kibitzers, criers, wild men and wise guys. Hoffman describes each of these types with rare insight and empathy, proving once again that it takes one to know one.

Most of the sketches about life in today's Israel, to be found in the second half of the book, have been published previously in the Jerusalem Post.