Kennedy Crockett was 23 when he joined the United States Foreign Service. It was 1943, the US was at war, and he'd been turned down by the armed services because of poor eyesight. Crockett started out as a shipping clerk determined to climb the ranks-and have a good time in the process. He retired 27 years later as a US Ambassador, having served 10 posts in six countries. This is the story of the years in between-an insider's look at the grind and the gratification of life as a US diplomat. Between banana boats and revolutions, presidents and dictators, politics and diplomacy, Crockett managed to hunt, fish and explore the jungles and shores of Mexico and Central America, raise five children and savor all that his life and career had to offer.