Passion and compassion lie at the heart of these stories; Dr. Young vividly illustrates not only the passion that law enforcement personnel, and especially crisis/hostage negotiators, have for their work, but also their genuine and deep compassion for everyone caught up in a crisis situation, including the “subject” at the epicenter of the crisis. It is this compassion that is the distinctive strength and power of When Every Word Counts because it unveils a side of law enforcement and crisis/hostage negotiation that people outside the profession generally know little of and rarely see. When Every Word Counts is an essential work for those interested in learning more about the fascinating world of life and death encounters that unfold on just the other side of the yellow tape.