Is this a biography of Angela Davis?

No. Davis is one of many figures profiled. The book is a group portrait of dissidents who went into exile or underground, from Paul Robeson to Berta Cáceres.

What period does it cover?

It centers on the American Century, roughly the twentieth century, with Cold War-era persecution and Latin American cases such as Rigoberta Menchú and Manuel Zelaya.

Who are the main figures?

Angela Davis, Seymour Hersh, Lorraine Hansberry, Graham Greene, Paul Robeson, Gabriel García Márquez, Malcolm X, Octavio Paz, Diego Rivera, Leonard Peltier, N. Scott Momaday and Berta Cáceres, among others.

Do I need background in Cold War history?

Helpful but not required. The profiles stand alone, though readers new to the period may want to look up some names as they go.

Is it a good pick for a book club?

Yes, if the group likes political history. The many short profiles give plenty of angles to discuss, from Davis's fugitive years to the artists who fled.