This book consists of thirteen short essays describing some common and well-known types of character as observed by Dr. Mercier. It opens with a general description of temperament, and then proceeds to discuss in turn the artistic, religious, envious, jealous, and suspicious temperaments, the faddist, the practical man, the man of action, and the philosopher. The temperament of the artist is carefully distinguished from the artistic temperament, and the distinction between cleverness and capability is pointed out. The style is vivacious and racy, and many shrewd remarks are interpolated. No one interested in the study of human nature can fail to find much to interest as well as to amuse him here.
—Review of Neurology and Psychiatry, Volume 15 [1917]