The theme explored in this personal narrative is that of the life of a rhetorician, in writing and in speech. The narrative muses about what goes into the making of a rhetorician, questioning whether it might be ritualized education, proceeding along lines of traditional methodology, or whether it could be informal education, hit-or-miss, with its nature neither clearly nor cleanly defined--the question is whether the manner of education makes a difference. The narrative contends that education is of various kinds, whether in school or out. Besides the personal details of a long life, it is hoped that vital revelations of ways in which rhetoric and public affairs interrelate will emerge. The narrative recounts the public affairs dealings with the small nation of Korea while it was the storm center of world controversies; it illustrates a rhetoric constantly on call, serving both as weapon and shield. The narrative brings documentary evidence to the witness chair to show historic decisions balanced between opportunities and disaster. (NKA)