Sir Bernard Zissman, former Lord Mayor of Birmingham, takes an imaginary journey back in time to meet with the civic visionary Joseph Chamberlain. Zissman traces the earlier origins of Birmingham's innovative municipal development in the 19th century in conversation with Chamberlain, then turns the clock forward to his own time in power which laid the foundation for much of the city centre development that has transformed Birmingham in the late 20th century. The two men exchange views, discuss their respective periods in office and discover many instances of common interest along the way. They contrast their experiences and how national and international influences touched both their lives.