William Atkins tells the stories of three lesser-known dissidents from the 19th century: Louise Michel, a leader of the Paris Commune; Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, an opponent of British colonialism in Zululand; and Lev Shternberg, a militant against Russian tsarism. The author travels to their respective places of exile to understand how their experiences of exile shaped them and the communities they were exiled amongst. Through their narratives, Atkins explores the bonds formed between exiled and colonized individuals. The book delves into themes of displacement, colonialism, and the meaning of home, and seamlessly weaves together history, biography, and travel writing, creating a work of imaginative empathy.