Four Crises: Test of Diplomacy covers the experiences of the author in four major Indian diplomatic missions in Asia and Africa where he served. In each of these countries he served at a time when major domestic crises or significant policy issues that had substantial effect on bilateral relations were played out. The Cultural Revolution in China, the Iranian Islamic Revolution and the Democracy Revolution were all events that affected the entire neighbourhood in profound ways. In the case of Morocco, the events he describes deal with a major policy challenge for India and how it was dealt with. The events in all the countries, three of them our neighbours and the fourth an important partner, are described graphically and in accurate detail to make for a gripping narration. His assessment of our approaches and actions are examples of objective analysis. The usefulness of a record of these events by a deeply engaged eyewitness can hardly be exaggerated. ABOUT THE AUTHOR G S Iyer joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1965 and was posted to Hong Kong where he studied Chinese before serving in Embassy of India, Beijing from 1968 to 1971. He was the Desk Officer for China in the Ministry of External Affairs from 1971 to 1974 and served in the embassies in Bhutan and Tehran as well as the Permanent Mission of India in New York before becoming the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo. He was India's Ambassador to Morocco from 1994 to 1998 and to Mexico with concurrent accreditation to Guatemala, Honduras and Belize from 1999 to 2002. He served as Joint Secretary (Establishment) and Joint Secretary (Central Asia) Ministry of External Affairs and was a member of the teaching staff of the National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff from 1990 to 1993. His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco conferred on him the Grand Cordon of the Wissam Alaoui, the highest civilian honour of the kingdom for his services to India-Morocco friendship.