Albert Reynolds has led an extraordinary life. Now, for the first time, Ireland's eighth Taoiseach tells his life story - from his childhood and first steps as a young businessman to his action-filled years in the political arena.

In this revelatory autobiography, Albert tells how his dynamic, can-do approach allowed a boy from the village of Roosky, Co. Roscommon, to build a ballroom empire with his brother Jim, to found a multi-million-pound company and to make a profound and lasting contribution to Irish politics.

Albert relives a busy political life, and the Northern Ireland peace process is thrown into dramatic relief with original contributions from other voices such as John Major, Bill Clinton, Martin McGuinness and Archbishop Eames, with eye-opening revelations about secret, behind-the-scenes meetings with key players.

'Give it as it was; tell it as it is, that is me.' In his autobiography, he does just that.