A fascinating and highly talented individual, and by all accounts a very pleasant bloke too.
For most of us, just one of the following would be an achievement. He was them all.
Royal Marine
Special Boat Service unit commander
Diplomat
MP
Party Leader (respected across political lines)
Statesman and international negotiator
Peer (deserved...)
Successful author
Linguist
Original researcher
Historian
No doubt other stuff
At the recommendation of another forumite I happen to be reading my way through his military history output at the moment. Very well written and not just using others' material - he went to primary sources.
77 was way too young.