Crowns of Barbed Wire is an introduction to Orthodox martyrs of the twentieth century. It spans the world and covers the whole century, from the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 to the murder of a Chilean priest in 1997. Each section begins with a brief historical background to the period, followed by a selection of martyrs. A final section puts the Orthodox martyrs into the context of other Christian martyrs of the century. The author has chosen representative examples in order to build an accurate and moving panorama of courage and faith, offering inspiration to believers and non-believers alike.