A Life in Peace and War

Urquhart's book could have been just like so many others in detailing political events in the last fifty years. It is unique however because the author doesn't let his own narrative and the event s of his own life over-ride the significance of the political ones. This is indeed rare: not many political personages or at least autobiography writers can resist the temptation to make their role greater than it was. Urquhart comes across as self-effacing, discreet, and above all, imaginative. If you want to know what's been happening in the field of collective security, and the UN's involvement in this aspect, this is a great read.