This memoir investigates the complexities of American foreign policy implementation during a period of significant political upheaval in Turkey. James W. Spain, a career diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Turkey, utilizes his firsthand experience to analyze the mechanics of diplomatic engagement. He presents a dual-focused argument that examines both the specific geopolitical climate of Turkey surrounding the 1980 military coup and the broader, often opaque, processes by which American foreign policy is formulated and executed in foreign theaters.

Experts and historians frequently cite this work as a valuable primary source for understanding the practical realities of Cold War-era diplomacy. Readers often note that the prose provides a clear, pragmatic look at the challenges faced by ambassadors operating in volatile political environments.