David Holdsworth

Holdsworth, has drawn on experiences in his career in the Canadian public service, at home and abroad, to produce a set of “undiplomatic tales” laced with wit and humour.

Holdsworth covers all the bases: the sanctimony and superiority of political ministers who turn out to have the same foibles as the rest of us; the silly importance that some events can acquire; the variety of persons serving abroad, not all of whom are enamoured with their posting but more enamoured with themselves; the send-up of management fads that continue to swirl through the public service; the hustle of National Day celebrations abroad; the sometimes numbing life of the foreign service spouse; dealing with ministerial visits and the media-obsessed ministerial staffers; the craziness of relations with tinpot despots.

Holdsworth wrties with a crisp, clear style well-tuned to his tone and of irreverence and parody.

I don't know if current ministerial staffers, ministers, or parliamentary secretaries have time to read given their onerous tasks of running the country, but if they do, I suspect they would not be amused with the often accurate portrayals here.… (mehr)