Ivor Little joined the South African Nautical College “General Botha”, which lead to a life at sea involving many demanding experiences. He worked hard and qualified as a Master Mariner at the age of 24 – a record at the time! By then he had virtually sailed the world and he describes in fine detail the personalities with whom he worked, the ports and cities he visited and the many ships on which he served. The book is unique if only for this characteristic. Thereafter some years of hard work contributed to the land-based years of his professional life, unrelated to those of a Master Mariner. All of his activities were as the book’s title indicates, “Above Board”, though some years were made very difficult being “Under Cover” in a foreign country, described in his detailed manner. Later he served the South African Defence Force during its period of transition to its new organization. He was then posted to the newly created Defence Secretariat, where he worked at top level until he decided to leave his desk. The sea then called once more and the book takes us again on many and various vessels, from Tristan da Cunha to the Mediterranean.