One hundred and seventeen days details the harrowing experience of journalist Ruth First during her arrest and detention under South Africa's ninety-day detention law in 1963. The book chronicles the psychological warfare waged by her Special Branch captors during her solitary confinement. It stands as a testament to the oppressive nature of the apartheid system and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

This work is recognized as an invaluable testimonial to the excesses of the apartheid system and a classic portrait of oppression. It is lauded for its harrowing chronicle of Ruth First's isolation and abuse, serving as a powerful account of defiance against political terror. The book is considered a significant contribution to understanding the human cost of apartheid and the enduring strength of the human spirit.