In this book, Hilary Sunman considers the day-to-day experience of her father, Owen, who served in the Colonial Agricultural Service from 1928-1950. Weaving together a human and family story, she combines her father's work with her own experience as a development economist to discuss colonial policy. Focusing on themes such as All the the 'White Highlands', race, colonial leadership, and the rise of the Mau Mau, she looks at the academic training in agricultural science offered as preparation for the colonial service as well as the attraction of Africa and the idealism felt by many young officers. Using her family as a case study, she examines the realities of life in Kenya for the wives and children of colonial officers, as well as for the officers themselves.

Hilary Sunman is a development economist with extensive experience working in Africa and Asia. She studied Economics and Sociology at the University of East Anglia, followed by an MA in Development Economics.