Kennedy demonstrates his respect for acts of political courage and shows a independent mind willing to acknowledge the virtue of men of all political leanings. The selected cases are times when men of strong convictions stood against popular or partisan opinion and acted in a way consistent with their views even when it meant political death. Although the chapters don't contain full biographies, they're sketches of moments when Senators chose to follow conscience over ambition and did what they thought was right even in the face of vitriol from their own constituents and friends. These case studies show that even when an opinion may be unpopular or even dead wrong, it should get a fair hearing. Our democracy depends on protection of the unpopular opinions so that the truth can come out. Kennedy was a man who clearly loved the principles of rule of law and the constitution even when those are not in vogue. He believed that the marketplace of ideas should be open and free to all people of conscience and this book is a love letter to those who were willing to follow their morals rather than the crowd.