Woven into the story of his life and the national events of his times are the equally dramatic changes in which he participated during his twenty-seven years with the Irish Times.

His observations of the political, social and journalistic elements of Irish society are refreshingly independent, insightful and revelatory and his perspective is that of an engaged, quizzical and serious analyst of politics, society and mores.

James Downey has valuable first-hand knowledge of a number of key episodes in political history and in the history of the Irish media during the second half of the 20th century. Large parts of the book are, in this sense, witness statements: this is what it was like for one who was there.