Interesting. No Gossip Though! Very Diplomatic...

The author reads this audio book - I am often a bit hesitant to buy downloads when the author reads their own book; so many are really bad. This one is OK. I would have preferred a professional reader but he has a nice if rather soporific voice. He doesn't ruin it.

There is no 'story'. It is just an autobiographical account of some of his career as a senior diplomat. The times through which he served are part of my own history so his accounts are interesting. They shed some extra light, albeit that diplomats are rarely 'makers' or doers, they are facilitators or just scribes, really. Still, I most enjoyed the bits about Hong Kong and his time working for Robin Cook.

I suppose I was expecting more humour and perhaps a bit more indiscretion. But it was often very grim, and he is evidently far too diplomatic to gossip, so that may have been my fault. Mostly it is an easy-going, easy-paced tour of duty.

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1 person found this helpful

Insights and stories worth listening to

If you interested in modern diplomacy and history that's unfolded in our lifetime I think look no further. It's easy listening, engaging and you may find yourself wanting more at the end of it.

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Charming and informative

Just as a good diplomat should be, the author delivers his observations, anecdotes and facts in a well modulated, perfectly enunciated voice. Persuasive and engaging, he tells us the tale of his recruitment into and passage through the Foreign and Commonwealth cadre of ambassadorial staff with wit and charm. Where he has failed to agree with his political masters or foreign hosts he informs us both suavely and directly. He leaves any criticism to emerge from our own assessments of the scenes and actions he describes.

Top class. In every sense. I only wish the book had been longer, but I suppose there is only so much that can happen in even the most varied diplomatic career; and for a true diplomat there is only a fraction that can be told.

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Ever the civil servant

I enjoyed this book but the first quarter is a little light in detail, maybe the author should not have read his words because his monotone voice detracts from his clear understanding and compassion for the duties of the FCO.

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Absolutely woeful narration - leave well a,lone!

I was hoping for an interesting ride through this former diplomat's working life experiences. I was drawn into choosing this title by the promise of that...But hey! Boy, I've rarely, if ever, been so sorely disappointed by the reality of awful narration as I was by this posh guy, notwithstanding his formerly elevated status.

His delivery of the story is totally ghastly, it is monotonous in the extreme, to the nth degree. It is unbelievably boring to listen to his very drawly voice drag you painfully forward through the account. I simply couldn't hack it any loner after getting through merely a couple of hours' listening to this author. I have given up with him, and will now delete the book from my Audible library. Please DO NOT put ytourselves through literary PURGATORY - choose something else that you know you will enjoy!

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