"Diplomacy is an art form, and Christopher Mallaby is a master of it. He not only served his country well - he served the wider interest too. In describing events now gone, he sets an example for events yet to come." -- Sir John Major KG CH "Some people's memoirs describe history. Others, like this author, have lived history. Christopher Mallaby was a key insider at crucial events in the Cold War and its aftermath. This fascinating account of some of the late twentieth century's most pivotal moments gives new, very personal insights into the dramas of the East-West confrontation. This a highly readable and very important book." -- Rt Hon Lord George Robertson KT GCMG, Former Secretary General of NATO and UK Defence Secretary "From the Cuban Missile Crisis to German Unification, Christopher Mallaby witnessed and then shaped many of the key political events of the second half of the twentieth century. His elegant memoir is lucid in its analysis and wise in its judgments. As someone who worked for him, that was no surprise. For me, though, the most compelling chapters were at the beginning, writing with restrained passion about his family: I learned what shaped the character of a great public servant." -- Sir Simon McDonald KCMG KCVO, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service

Sir Chrisopher Mallaby joined the UK Diplomatic Service from Cambridge University in 1959. He was British Ambassador to Germany 1988-92 and British Ambassador to France 1993-96. He has served as Chairman of Somerset House Trust 2002-2006 and as a Trustee of the Tate Gallery Group 1996-2002. Peter Hennessy (Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield) is Attlee Professor of History at Queen Mary College, London. His books include 'The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War' (Penguin, 2003).