Career Diplomacy - 2nd Edition by Harry W Kopp (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Career Diplomacy-now in its second edition-is an insider's guide that examines the foreign service as an institution, a profession, and a career. Harry W. Kopp and Charles A. Gillespie, both of whom had long and distinguished careers in the foreign service, provide a full and well-rounded picture of the organization, its place in history, its strengths and weaknesses, and its role in American foreign affairs. Based on their own experiences and through interviews with over 100 current and former foreign service officers and specialists, the authors lay out what to expect in a foreign service career, from the entrance exam through midcareer and into the senior service-how the service works on paper, and in practice.

The second edition addresses major changes that have occurred since 2007: the controversial effort to build an expeditionary foreign service to lead the work of stabilization and reconstruction in fragile states; deepening cooperation with the U.S. military and the changing role of the service in Iraq and Afghanistan; the ongoing surge in foreign service recruitment and hiring at the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development; and the growing integration of USAID's budget and mission with those of the Department of State.

Review Quotes

Career Diplomacy may not be required reading for experienced foreign affairs professionals or jaded FSO insiders. As an introduction to the profession for the layperson or for anyone considering a commitment to the Foreign Service career, however, the book is authoritative, complete and indispensable. For the rest of us, it's a delight, a stylishly told reminder of who we are, what we do and where we may be heading.

-- "American Diplomacy"

Rare are the books that can appeal to several audiences, but Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service is one of them. Former Foreign Service officers Harry W. Kopp and Charles A. Gillespie have given us a crisp, often witty, overview of the diplomatic profession, complete with a useful glossary and bibliography . . . this volume should be of interest to the general reading public, aspiring diplomats and practicing FSOs alike.

-- "Foreign Service Journal"

Career Diplomacy introduces readers to one of the most interesting and challenging professions--diplomacy--and one that most Americans know very little about. The book is one of the few on the subject and a great resource for anyone considering a Foreign Service career.

--Susan Johnson, president, American Foreign Service Association

Current, dispassionate, and accurate, Career Diplomacy is the must-read book for those seeking understanding of today's Foreign Service. From traditional diplomacy to work in the provinces of Afghanistan and Iraq, it is all here.

--Ronald E. Neumann, former ambassador and president, American Academy of Diplomacy

Career Diplomacy is a fascinating and readable book about one of America's lesser known assets--the diplomatic service. As Ambassador, I recognized how critical these foreign service people are to America's place in the world. This tells that story.

--James R. Jones, former U.S Ambassador to Mexico and chairman of the World Affairs Councils of America

A clear, unvarnished look at life in the United States Foreign Service, what works, and what doesn't. Career Diplomacy should be must reading for every foreign service officer--and everyone else who represents our country overseas.

--Ann Blackman, author of Seasons of Her Life: A Biography of Madeleine Korbel Albright

Frank, incisive, and a good read, this book told me many things I never really understood about the foreign service. I don't know how we got along without it.

--John R. Galvin, former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and former commander-in-chief, U.S. European Command

The best description of life in the foreign service--its challenges, dangers, satisfactions, and fun--I have ever seen. It paints a superb picture of life abroad and at home, including both its good and bad aspects, and does a brilliant job of pointing out how our diplomacy must change if it is to meet the tremendous changes and challenges of the twenty-first century.

--Lawrence S. Eagleburger, former Secretary of State

Career Diplomacy is an informative, entertaining, and inspirational read. Intended as a guide to the United States Foreign Service for the interested layman, the book is equally useful to individuals considering careers in the foreign service; to policy professionals who need to know how a critical component of government functions; or to citizens simply wanting to know how they are served by the professionals who represent them overseas, carry out foreign operations on the ground, and advise their government on foreign policy. Within ten crisply written chapters the authors illuminate the purposes, history, structure, and future of the foreign service. They do so with insight and charm, drawing heavily on the experiences of dozens of foreign service women and men. Reading this book will inspire young people to yearn for a foreign service career; will generate collegial confidence among policymakers in other government branches; and will assure citizens that their foreign service tax dollars are well spent.

--Louis W. Goodman, dean, School of International Service, American University

Harry Kopp and Charles Gillespie have produced an insightful and comprehensive response to the questions, 'What is the foreign service and why do we need it?' This is a required read for anyone contemplating a career in the foreign service.

--Stephen W. Bosworth, dean, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

This book is a gem, a one-stop shop for citizens, U.S. officials, foreign diplomats, and prospective American foreign service officers who want to understand how American diplomacy and foreign policy are organized and conducted. This carefully structured and well-written volume features rich and balanced insights into the foreign service, and sheds a clear light on its three core functions of representation, overseas operations, and policy. Essential reading on the culture and institutions of American diplomacy and on the ins and outs of working in a foreign service career.

--Chester A. Crocker, James R. Schlesinger Professor of Strategic Studies, Georgetown University

About the Author

Harry W. Kopp is a former foreign service officer and consultant in international trade. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Trade Policy in the Carter and Reagan administrations and his foreign assignments included Warsaw and Brasília. He is now president of Harry Kopp, LLC, a consulting company. He is the author of Commercial Diplomacy and the National Interest.

Charles A. Gillespie was a former foreign service officer and was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs; American ambassador to Grenada, Colombia, and Chile; and Special Assistant to the President on the National Security Council Staff.