Includes bibliographical references (pages 311-317) and index.

Introduction -- In defence of civilization. The disciplines of reason and lyric poetry: Anicius Boethius, of the consolation of philosophy (c. 524-5): the foundations of resistance in dialogue and lyric -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, letters and papers from prison (1943-45): Christian More, a dialogue of comfort against tribulation: a political guide to the dilemmas of religious conscience (1934-35) -- Antonio Gramsci, Prison letters (1926-37): dialogue in dialectic -- Preservation of self. Memory and the prisoner: self-justification in images of grace and disgrace abounding: John Bunyan, grace abounding to the chief of sinners (1666): writing the eternally present self -- Oscar Wilde, De profundis (1897): a pastoral letter of disgrace abounding -- Memorial narratives as salvation for the feminine self. Marie-Jeanne Roland, Memoirs (1793): writing history herself -- Anne Frank, The diary and tales from the secret annexe (1942-44): life writing -- The consolations of imagination and lyric poetry. Jean Cassou, trente-trois sonnets composes au secret (1943) -- Irina Ratushinskaya, Pencil letter and No I'm not afraid (1982-86): Preserving the conviction of a poet. Testimony for mankind with hindsight and beyond resistance: Primo Levi, If this is a man (1947) and Ad ora incerta (1947-86): resisting the demolition of a man - Primo Levi, Moments of reprieve (1981): in defence of a civilization -- Conclusions: beyond testimony .