This collection investigates the public personas and private motivations of prominent cultural figures through the lens of a seasoned interviewer. John Mortimer, a noted barrister and playwright, utilizes his professional skills in cross-examination and his keen ear for dialogue to extract candid insights from his subjects. By framing these conversations within a journalistic context, he seeks to reveal the human complexities behind the public images of his interviewees.

Critics and readers frequently note that Mortimer’s background as a playwright allows him to capture the distinct voice and cadence of his subjects with unusual precision. Experts highlight this work as a classic example of high-quality journalistic interviewing that prioritizes character study over simple information gathering.