Gossage's diary--his impressions of the media people, politicians and backroom operators he worked with every day--provides a remarkable portrait of the period. He records some of Trudeau's most difficult moments: the victory of the PQ in Quebec, the break-up of his marriage, electoral defeat at the hands of Joe Clark. Gossage also portrays some of Trudeau's triumphs: the patriation of the Constitution, his remarkable peace initiative during the Reagan presidency.