This book is about memories, beliefs, values and sometimes just stray thoughts selected from more than one thousand pieces of scattered writings by a most remarkable man. HY Sharada Prasad has lived through interesting times, turbulent times, times of great hope and of despair. He has been witness to some momentous events of recent Indian history. The book captures some of these moments in elegantly crafted and sometimes delightfully anecdotal prose. The author also writes about people who mattered and did not matter, about values and vogues, and observes and comments on the Mayfair as it passes. The writings are grouped into nine sections with themes varying from the ways and instruments of power to personal reminiscences of the famous; a gentle yet perceptive critique of modern mores and an information age that appears to promote ignorance. The book closes with some thoughts on the art of writing and other topics of diverse interest.