The book is neither an autobiography nor a memoir. It is a look at the practice of India's foreign policy at the micro-level. It is a re-counting of how policy could, did and can change often on the basis of single events. Abhyankar has tried to highlight the unusual in his long 37-year career as an Indian diplomat in a wide range of countries. As he writes, the interesting thing about the unusual is that unusual encounters happen without warning, unusual adventures have to be created, unusual situations develop, unusual places are waiting to be discovered and unusual people are with you all the time. As one goes through life the trick is in being able to intuitively see them His is a look at the larger picture from an individual perspective: yet from an individual who was personally involved in all he writes about. He covers his experiences from West and Central Asia, South Asia, Europe and the United States. Abhyankar's writing has a ring of authenticity and is marked by a delightful turn of phrase. It brings to the reader the job of a diplomat in very recognizable terms. About the Author Rajendra M. Abhyankar retired from the Indian Foreign Service in August 2005 as India's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg. He was Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, from 2001 to 2004. He has been India's High Commissioner to Cyprus (1987-1990) and Ambassador to Syria (1992- 1996), Turkey and Azerbaijan (1996-1998). Ambassador Abhyankar was India's Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka (1982-1984), non-resident Consul General to the Republic of San Marino (1984-1978) and Consul General of India to San Francisco from 1998 to 2001. Since retirement, Ambassador Abhyankar has been involved in a variety of institutions including Director, Centre for West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University; Chairman, Kunzru Centre for Defence Studies and Research, Pane; and as Director and Adviser for The Asia Foundation, San Francisco, on their India .