As a teenager Michael's father pointed out that, because of his facility with languages, he should consider a career in the diplomatic corp.
And that was what happened. He was educated at Bedford School and Oxford's Magdalen College. After National Service as a young subaltern seeing service in the Malaysian jungles during the communist insurrection there.
He then attended what was known as the Foreign Office's 'Spy School' which was based in Shemlan, Lebanon, where he was taught the Arabic language.
His subsequent diplomatic career covered a wide range of very important postings not only in the Middle East but also throughout Europe.
This included serving in Berlin as the Minister and Head of the British Mission during the very crucial period that covered the collapse of the Berlin Wall and of the German Democratic Republic itself.
After that he was appointed as the British Ambassador to Prague in the Czech Republic.
After his retirement Sir Michael and his wife, Lady Henrietta have lived in both London and Sussex.
The book has received high praise from fellow diplomats and historians and it is illustrated with some very impressive photographs.
It is a very compelling account of the professional life of someone who was actually at the heart of the action. Including asides of what happens when tiredness overcomes one and mistakes are made converting Pounds to Lira (oops! gold topped taps?) and the issues raised during the reunification of Germany.
It's a stunningly good read and will make an ideal Christmas present for lovers of modern history and memoirs.
It is published by iB2 Media at £14.95.
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