Synopsis "Behind the Power: Vignettes from my life in the IAS", is the story of men who run Governments, who wield power, who make momentous decisions and who guide people's destinies. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes had a fatal flaw in their characters that led to their ultimate downfall and tragedy. Today's heroes have flaws too but nothing proves fatal in their cases. Most of them escape with them, in fact flourish in spite of them resulting in a tragic-comedy of sorts. A Governor who is obsessive about his security and values his nose more than the constitutional norms, he is sworn to protect, a Chief Minister with a vengeful streak in his moment of triumph, a Minister whose first concern is his office room and his house, a Chief Secretary who manages the administration adroitly but loses the fight with his wife, and much more. It is there in vivid detail... the small games the big people play. Described by some one who has been a part of it all.