Deane Hinton's memoir presents a reliable firsthand account of the development of U.S. strategic economic policy and the new institutions that became the framework for trade, aid, economic growth, and monetary policy. Throughout the Cold War, Hinton was one of a handful of economic specialists to serve in high policy positions. An expert in the European Common Market, he added expertise in development issues and in politics as he rose to the top of the Foreign Service. The book recounts Hinton's 48-year diplomatic career, starting with political, commercial, and consular postings and including economic studies at Fletcher and Harvard. He spent four years in the White House, three as deputy director of the Council on International Economic Policy. Overseas he served in eleven different posts, in six as ambassador. Hinton also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Economics and Business in the Carter administration. His book is a serious record of events and analysis by a skilled policy maker. "Deane Hinton, with six ambassadorial postings to his credit in a career focused on international economic issues, is one of the handful of experts on these issues to serve in high policy positions throughout the Cold War. His memoir is an enjoyable read." -BRANDON GROVE, President emeritus of the American Academy of Diplomacy "Ambassador Hinton's memoirs are an instruction about life in the Foreign Service, at once personal and professional. Any reader with active interest in the field should mine it. It is something to savor, a forceful and colorful Baedecker." -DAVID BEALL, Foreign Service Officer (retired)