AMBITIOUS salesman Ian Buchan has four passions. His job, his wife, his children . and a series of lovers. Life becomes even more complicated when he is promoted to run a factory which is jinxed by a series of accidents. The outdated plant makes metal forgings in Britain's Black Country. But as the 20th Century draws to a close, heavy industry is on its last legs. Even the owners want the factory closed. At the heart of the story is risk-taker Buchan: managing, motivating .

and seducing. With the help of his women he comes up with a daring plan to save his factory. It is plain that author David MacRae had a ringside seat for events he crisply describes. The action switches from bedroom to boardroom. Triumph mingles with tragedy. Buchan's background music is provided by hammers pounding on the factory's anvils. Are they beating out an anthem for success, or sounding his retreat?.