How can journalists effectively extract accurate, compelling information from subjects while maintaining professional and ethical standards? Wynford Hicks, a veteran journalist and journalism educator, draws upon decades of industry experience to provide a comprehensive framework for the interview process. The book argues that successful interviewing is a structured skill set that balances preparation, active listening, and strategic questioning to serve the public interest.

Journalism students and early-career reporters frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for mastering the mechanics of news gathering. Experts highlight the book for its practical, no-nonsense approach to the complexities of the interview process.