Dr. Gooneratne’s “view from the second row” at peace talks (with negotiators occupying the first row) covers a gamut of issues including the impact of Sri Lanka’s political culture on the “peace process,” the appropriate/ inappropriate role of a facilitator, the futility of letter writing as a negotiating device, and the unfulfilled expectations of the P-TOMS exercise. He writes with clarity, composure, and depth. On top of all that, his book is a really “good read”