And Then What?

'And Then What? is breathless and conversational - and all the more readable for that. But while her tone is down-to-earth, the events that Ashton played a part in were dramatic and often historic.' Gideon Rachman, Financial Times'A colourful insider account of European diplomacy ... It's clear our politics would have turned out better if we had had more Cathy Ashtons' Luke Harding, The ObserverSo much of modern-day diplomacy still takes place behind closed doors, away from cameras and prying eyes.

So what does this vital role really look like in today's world -and what does it take to do it well?From 2009 to 2014, Cathy Ashton was the EU's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, effectively Europe's foreign policy supremo responsible for coordinating the EU's response to international crises. Arriving in Brussels as a relative novice to international diplomacy, she faced the challenge of representing the views and values of 28 nations during one of the most turbulent times in living memory. Decades-old certainties were swept away in days.

Hope rose and fell, often in a matter of hours. From the frozen conflict of Ukraine to the Serbia-Kosovo deal, there were challenges, failures and moments of success. She encountered dictators and war criminals, and witnessed the aftermath of natural disasters, military action, and political instability.

Working with US politicians and counterparts including John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Burns, she negotiated historic settlements, such as the Iran nuclear deal. An 'honest broker', she navigated the needs of opposing politicians to chart a path towards collaboration and stability. Now Ashton takes us behind the scenes to show us what worked and what didn't, and how it felt to be in 'the room where it happened'.