"Of Cargoes, Colonies and Kings" gives an offbeat account of Andrew Stuart's wide-ranging experiences. Never a stereotypical colonialist, as the son of a missionary, he knew the people, the politicians and the kings of Uganda from his childhood and worked with them until 1965, four years after independence, when he joined the British Diplomatic Service. As a diplomat, before ending up as British Ambassador to Finland, he was soon drawn back into the closing stages of the British Empire. The end of empire in British and French territories from Africa to the Pacific, the rise of China to near superpower status and the opening of political fissures on the Indian subcontinent - all are themes of global and enduring importance. Andrew Stuart's eventful career as a colonial administrator and diplomat took place against this international backdrop.

After taking early retirement from the Foreign Office, Andrew Stuart was appointed Principal of the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. He is now a company chairman and lives in Dorset.

Contents

Foreword by General Charles Guthrie, former Chief of the British Defence Staff and now Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank
Dedication
Disclaimer
Prelude: The Prophet on the Rock

The Naïve and Sentimental Colonialist
Settlers in the Glue Pot
The Lords of Africa
'King Freddie'
District Officer
Safari
Fish and Chips
New Flags for Old
Amin and After
Diplomat: A Minnow in the Whitehall Pond
Hong Kong: The Fragrant Harbour
Seychelles: The Island of Indecent Coconuts
Diego Garcia: A Bet on a Bikini
New Hebrides: Condominium in the South Pacific
Resident Commissioner
The Land of the Holy Spirit
Rebellions and Taboos
John Frum's Cargoes
Prince Philip's Paradis
'The Pandemonium'
Soldier, Soldier
The 'Coconut War'
The End of Empier

Envoi: Brought to Justice