As a preliminary work leading towards a comparative biographical, political and economic analysis of the Diosdado and Gloria Macapagal administrations, Serrano’s book provides glimpses into the man as well as the problems he and his government faced and political processes they experienced. Interestingly, one can weave from Serrano’s account a tapestry of personal and institutional strings, weaknesses and contradictory tendencies that would make Filipino readers more curious about the older Macapagal and his times.
—Maria Cynthia Rose Banzon Bautista, PhD.