In this book, the author passes on to another generation an impression of what it was like to live and work abroad as a U.S. foreign service officer during the years following World War II. The first two episodes show how and why the author went into the Foreign Service, beginning with his youth in Upstate New York and on through to World War II. The allied victory, the subsequent Cold War, and the realization of American power form the background of the twenty-three episodes through which the author and his family lived in many different countries. The posts involved included Copenhagen, Ottawa, London, Ankara, Tel Aviv, Bangui in central Africa, and, of course, Washington, D.C. The book describes diplomatic life in wartime, primitive conditions, and unusual first world situations. It traces the author's career right up to retirement. Dale describes the humorous and stressful sides of life abroad, as well as in the working world he encountered. He hopes others will find it useful and perhaps amusing.