32 Comments
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Rona Maynard's avatar

Highlife: What a wonderful title for a memoir. And I love the glimpse of Auden.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Rona. I agree about the title.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

This looks like an interesting memoir, Jeffrey. Thanks for sharing it and the interview of the author!

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Pamela!

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

You’re welcome!

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Gianni Simone's avatar

Thanks for introducing this book. I like his style. Indeed, it reminds me of highlife's undulating rhythms.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

What a wonderful read! What a wonderful interview and review of Highlife!

Thank Jeffrey and Richard.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Susie!

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Michael Edward's avatar

A wonderful review of what sounds like a fascinating read.

And the interview at the end just capped it all off wonderfully. Thank you both :)

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Michael!

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A. Jay Adler's avatar

If you said it somewhere, I missed it, but have you and Richard been friends, as well, or is the connection from both having had careers at the Council? It doesn't seem your postings were the same. Which leads to the question how work at the BC allowed for sustained friendships within all that movement around the world.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Hi Jay. We met while working together at the British Council head office in London. That’s where I’d also catch up with colleagues visiting from around the world from time to time. Otherwise, we’d meet at regional team meetings. Until the isolation of the pandemic hit us, that is. As leaders of country/city offices, it was possible to feel a little isolated, and we needed the fellowship of peers at times.

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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Great profile/interview Jeffrey - a first for you? I don't recall any others. The episode at the Canadian/Montana border stands out (echoes of the future.)

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Hi Troy. Thanks for this. I’ve done a couple of interviews over the last couple of years, but yes, they’re a bit of a rarity for me.

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June Girvin's avatar

What an interesting interview. Working for the British Council must be fascinating in lots of ways.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you June. I certainly feel lucky to have had a career with the organisation.

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Lani V. Cox's avatar

Wonderful interview, Jeffrey. Thanks for the introduction to Richard Walker. His wife's quote near the end was touching. Simple, pure, and beautiful. These days I find myself really CLINGING to memoir and true stories because of the incredible pace of technology. Anything from the analogue era feels more otherworldly than ever before. May we endeavor to remember to hold dear everyday life and its moments ~

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Lani and I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for your comment. I agree that we need to hold on to that world that came before.

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

Sounds like a cool book. Thanks for sharing it.

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Tara Penry's avatar

“Uplifting” sounds just right. “He emphasises the book's ultimately life-affirming message: "Within all that chaos and horrible stuff going on, there's good things always to be had... Highlife is the energy to enjoy life but also to take the great things and not dwell on the things that are inevitable." “ This sounds right up my alley. :-) Thank you for the introduction.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Tara! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.

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Tara Penry's avatar

Like Rona, I especially liked the peek at Auden.

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Sarah Best's avatar

Thank you Jeffrey, loved this interview!

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Sarah!

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Mary Roblyn's avatar

A wonderful portrait and interview. So much packed into one vivid life. Thank you, Jeffrey, for introducing us to Mr. Walker.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Mary!

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laura thompson's avatar

Really enjoyed this, thank you Jeffrey - I love the concept of the 5 acts and 7 stages. Simple and illuminating.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Laura! I agree about the structure of the book.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Jeffrey, such a fascinating interview. I'd so like to hear more about Richard and Auden!

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Mary! The Auden section is one of my favourite parts of the book.

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Maureen Doallas's avatar

Thank you, Jeffrey, for bringing Richard Walker's memoir and your interview with him to our attention. What a life of travel - and adventures - he has had. As I am always drawn to memoir and autobiography, I have added Walker's title to my TBR list.

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Thank you, Maureen!

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