As a cousin to the celebrated Lehman family, Birge grew up among colorful and eccentric members of New York's high society. Following a whirlwind romance, she married Jonathan Bingham, who served as ambassador to the United Nations and became a nine-term congressman from the Northwest Bronx. Her own career began with freelance writing for newspapers and magazines. She went on to become a successful biographer and playwright. With candor and wit, Birge brings to life the events and the people she encountered, including such luminaries as Katherine Graham, Indira Gandhi, W. Averell Harriman, and U Thant.