In this absorbing account, he traces his personal journey from 'main grade' probation officer, Home Office civil servant, trainer and inspector to top level positions within a number of academic institutions (notably at Leicester University and Loughborough University), with the Parole Board, key nationwide committees, mental health inquiries and beyond. His 'reflections' on a life geared to the improvement of knowledge and understanding in this sphere contain unique insights for practitioners and criminologists alike - and words of wisdom for a Criminal Justice System which ought to value mature reflection as it approaches the second decade of the 21st century. Describing the author as 'one of my heroes', well-known criminologist and broadcaster David Wilson asserts that Herschel Prins is 'one of - if not the key figure - in Britain who pushed forward the development of criminology and forensic psychiatry' and that he was in certain respects 'ahead of his time'.