• Foreword; Preface; 1. International Association of Academies (1899–1914); 2. International Research Council (1919–1931); 3. ICSU: beginning and establishment; 4. ICSU development (1931–1939); 5. ICSU in wartime; 6. A new beginning (1945); 7. ICSU in a post-war world; 8. The free conduct of science; 9. Living machinery: officers and staff; 10. Growth: within science and outwards; 11. ICSU at mid-century; 12. The International Geophysical Year and its heritage; 13. Data and scientific information; 14. World projects and the environment; 15. ICSU and UNESCO; 16. Membership; 17. Ringberg (1985) to Visegrad (1990): self-examination; 18. The road to Rio and beyond; 19. ICSU at the end of a century; Appendices; Notes; Further reading; Index.

'Greenaway's book is a labour of love and will certainly be an eye-opener to any scientist who reads it closely. It portrays an organization which is itself a labour of love, created and nurtured by selfless well-wishers of the world's scientific enterprise. It is excellent value for money, and I commend it without reserve.' Robert Cahn, European Review