In this stirring and beautifully written memoir, Lloyd Axworthy tells the unlikely story of a Canadian prairie boy raised in the Social Gospel tradition becoming a prominent force in both national and international politics. After studying politics at Princeton at the height of John F. Kennedy’s Camelot, and marching for civil rights in Alabama, he returned to Canada and embarked on an illustrious political career at the height of Trudeaumania.

Axworthy served as MLA in the Manitoba legislature for six years followed by twenty-one years in the House of Commons, more than half of those in the cabinets of Pierre Trudeau, John Turner, and Jean Chretien. With extraordinary candour and introspection, he invites readers inside his roles in some of the most important political stories of the last half century, including the enactment of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the great debate over the Canada-US free trade agreement, and the global fights to ban landmines and establish the International Criminal Court.

He illuminates such monumental events as the turnover of Hong Kong and Princess Diana’s funeral (at which he was Canada’s official representative), and offers unforgettable vignettes of encounters with a range of high-profile international figures from Fidel Castro to the Māori Queen. He also writes frankly about the disappointments of political life and the challenges of staying true to progressive ideals while dealing with the often brutal requirements of political power. In an open, personal manner he tells of how the contributions of his wife and the support of a network of family, colleagues, and friends helped him stay the course.

Lloyd Axworthy is a Canadian politician, elder statesman and academic. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. In 2000, he retired from politics, returning to western Canada where he served as President of the University of Winnipeg for ten years.In December , 2015 he was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada. He now chairs the World Refugee and Migration Council and lives with his wife Denise, in Ottawa.

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“A must-read, captivating memoir by one of Canada’s most accomplished and respected statesmen. Axworthy holds no punches in depicting the hard-fought battles around the cabinet table, and internationally on behalf of social justice and promoting human rights. His book is a stark reminder that Canada punched well above weight globally when it stood true to its core values and principles and knew how to manoeuvre on the international stage.”

—Fen Osler Hampson, FRSC, chancellor’s professor, Carleton University.

“This book reflects the genius of Lloyd Axworthy, which is unmatched by anyone in government or opposition today. His deep and profound understanding of the complex relationships between Indigenous peoples and Canada are explained clearly with uncommon insight. His solutions deserve careful consideration by all those in who are or may be in a position to implement them. A must read for any serious politician, analyst, or student of politics.”

—Phil Fontaine, Sagkeeng First Nation, served three terms as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

“Lloyd Axworthy is an inspiration to young Canadians who are dedicated to global peace, human security, and public service. The wisdom and lessons found in these pages will encourage and guide a next generation of Canadians who want to be a force for common good in the world.”

—Paulina Chan, council member of The SHAPE Project.