Masterless Men is a comprehensive study of vagrancy in England between 1560 and 1640, a period marked by significant social and economic upheaval. Beier investigates the causes and perceptions of vagrancy, analyzing how it was viewed as a threat to societal stability. The book is structured into three parts: The Origins of Vagrancy: Explores the emergence of poverty and the increase in vagrancy due to economic and demographic changes. The Structure of Vagrancy: Examines the demographics, lifestyles, and occupations of vagrants, highlighting their roles in society. Vagrants, Society, and the State: Analyzes governmental responses, including legislation and punitive measures, and the broader societal implications. Beier's work is notable for its use of diverse primary sources, offering a nuanced understanding of how vagrancy was both a social reality and a constructed problem in early modern England.