Cocktails, Crises and Cockroaches is an entertaining yet instructive account of the life and experiences of a frontline diplomat in a variety of countries. The realities and flavors of diplomatic life (including its frustration, risks and comedy) are interwoven with local color, travel and contemporary history in a lively manner. Background settings include: the security and intelligence problems in post-war Europe, the break in diplomatic relations with Iran in 1951, the first meeting of the UN General Assembly to be held in New York, Churchill's second spell as Prime Minister,...