If Peter Sutherland isn't already blushing about some of the comments made about him in a new book about the history of the World Trade Organisation, then perhaps he should be.

The Harvard scholar Craig VanGrasstek, who penned The History and Future of the World Trade Organization, is clearly a fan of our man Suds.

Sutherland, a former attorney general and also a past chairman of the energy giant BP, served a two-year term as head of the WTO and its forerunner in the mid-1990s.

VanGrasstek, who appears to collect degrees like nerds collect stamps, says the globalisation organisation wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the efforts of Sutherland.

“By force of personality he elevated the [position as head of the WTO] to one that could deal directly not just with Ministers but with Presidents and Prime Ministers,” gushes VanGrasstek.

Sutherland's business counterparts back home are probably all too familiar with his "force of personality". I'd say they're still recovering over at Bank of Ireland, from his time as chairman of AIB.

The book lauds Sutherland’s contribution to the Uruguay Round, the near decade-long negotiations between 120 countries that ultimately led to the creation of the WTO.

“There would be no WTO if leaders such as Sutherland had not shepherded the Uruguay Round to a successful conclusion,” says the author.

VanGrasstek goes on to state: “The imagery that diplomats employ to describe (Sutherland’s) style typically evokes knocking heads on hobnail boots. Sutherland’s style defines one end of the spectrum from passivity to activism.”

Okay, we get it. In terms of love-bombing, this is blitzkrieg.

Not that we are disagreeing, of course. Although he sometimes divides opinion back home amongst those of different ideological persuasions, Sutherland is perhaps the most significant figure Ireland has ever produced in terms of international business.

But he should still send VanGrasstek a thank you card.