English author and journalist Ian Birrell describes his life as a journalist, and how speaking truth to power is a luxury often taken for granted in the West. Birrell documents this war on words through his experiences with journalist comrades in countries as diverse as Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ukraine and Swaziland many of whom were imprisoned for their work. Ultimately, Birrell warns us that in a war of words with despots and tyrants, advocates for freedom and democracy must fight for the truth, for words can be misused, manipulated, or used against you.