Memoirs of the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf during the 1950s when now forgotten disputes over boundaries, the Buraimi oasis and the authority of the Sultan of Muscat were the order of the day. Sir Bernard makes his modest contribution to history in describing these questions succinctly and intelligently, making use of recently available diplomatic documents to supplement his recollections. He also shows how he and the British governments of the time regarded the overall British position in the gulf, which they knew could not be maintained indefinitely.