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These diaries follow the travels of an influential man at a time of political upheaval across the world. Although at the time not at the height of government, Northcote's status meant he held a privileged position to witness and become involved with important events. He provides a descriptive and interesting report of the pomp and ceremony organised for the opening of the Suez Canal, as well as revealing the flaws in its engineering and considering the political and economic impact of this new trade route.

In addition, his visits to Canada and the US reveal the naive and fragile status of these newly independent countries. His picture of Canada, especially, shows a country struggling to maintain a stable trading relationship with their neighbour in the shadow of the Civil War, while confronting indigenous unrest and Fenian riots of revolting Irish on their own land.

Although Northcote reveals few details about the negotiating process of the Treaty of Washington, he does cover the main political points of the Alabama claims, the value of the Canadian fisheries and the boundary dispute at San Juan. Of more social interest, are his descriptions of the society in DC and the pictures he paints of the leading political figures he meets. Particularly evocative is his description of the new capital, contrasting the gleaming new monumental buildings with the muddy roads and sparse houses.