In this book, editor Susan Bergman has assembled a collection of essays on courageous Christians whose commitments enabled them to pay the ultimate price for their beliefs. In the introduction, the editor makes it clear that large numbers of individuals have lost their lives for their faith in the 20th century. They were spokespersons for the poor, the oppressed, and the abused. By taking a stand, they witnessed to the power of compassionate service. The roll call of Christian martyrs includes essays by Carolyn Forche on Oscar Romero, by Paul Elie on Steven Biko, by Marilynne Robinson on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, by Patricia Hampl on Edith Stein, and by Paul Mariani on Maximilian Kolbe, and others.