Through the mud and the blood with the North Irish Horse during World War II to the genteel parlours of international diplomacy, Patrick Reid served his nation. As a Military Police commander in the steamy jungles of postwar Malaya or the behind-the-scenes diplomatic fixer at the Canada-Russia hockey series, he wrestled with opposing forces. Whether assisting in the birth of Canada’s new flag or in the rebirth of Canada’s international stature at Expo ’86, he helped history unfurl. This is a warm and perceptive memoir by a passionate Canadian.