The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was created in 1948 as a direct response to the inhumanity suffered worldwide throughout, and following, World War Two. To mark the UDHR's 60th anniversary in 2008, Seán Love, who was executive director of Amnesty International (Ireland) at the time, and author Roddy Doyle decided to celebrate the declaration, telling the story of human rights to a new generation in a unique and compelling way.

Each author took a different topic for each of the articles in the UDHR tackling the varied subjects of fair trials, prison, torture, war, refugees, but also, education, poverty, health, leisure, employment, and housing. The book, which features an introduction by Seamus Heaney, is a special commemoration of the work of the UDHR and Amnesty International. In a modern twist, it also features a special "additional article" by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly adding to the contemporary worth of this collection.

Several visual artists such as Robert Ballagh, Vivienne Roche, Amelia Stein and Jim Fitzpatrick have contributed images to accompany some of the essays, while the cover features a piece by Louis le Brocquy, created especially for Amnesty.