Max Hastings has retired from his career as a 'Fleet Street' Editor. His is an enormously illustrious career which started in 1985, when he was offered the Editorship of a national institution - the Daily Telegraph - in a surprise move by its owners. This book tells the story of what happened to him, and to a great newspaper over the next decade.

It is all here: the rows with prime ministers, the coverage of great events, the daily routine. Max Hastings describes his complex relationship with his proprietor, Conrad Black. He offers an extraordinary perspective on the decline of John Major, the troubles of the Royal Family, the difficulties of dealing with lawyers and celebrities, statesmen and stars. It is unblushing about the author's failures and embrassments as well as his successes. It is above all the story of the excitement and exhilaration of almost 10 years at the helm of one of the greatest newspapers in the world.