Jim had the courage to stand up to the aggressive, and often personal, lobbying done by governments intent on getting their nominated sites inscribed, or on downplaying the threats to established WH sites. He stood his ground and argued on the principles of the case. It must have been quite lonely at times but his obstinate determination to tell the truth meant that he was always listened to. He was right: IUCN has to “speak truth unto power” if its judgments are to respected.