Mission to Oslo - by Tom Loftus (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Mission to Oslo is a rollicking tale of the true adventures of President Bill Clinton's ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway: Tom Loftus grandson of Norwegian immigrants and former Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly.

Told with wit and wry humor the memoir covers 1993 to 1998 the momentous years of the first Clinton administration. It was a time of historic change after the end of the Cold War with policies adopted that are still debated today: the building of relations with a fledgling Russian democracy the expansion of NATO to Eastern Europe and the Baltics. And the Norwegian-brokered Oslo Accords that laid the groundwork for a path to peace in the Mideast.

Loftus is a gifted storyteller and the job of an American ambassador comes to vibrant life. Everything from traveling with The King and The Queen to dodging tanks on a winter road in Russia. Food wine and entertaining in Oslo's spectacular Ambassador's Residence. It is all there.

Review Quotes

"Mission to Oslo" is a delightful book and a unique look into understanding the duties and machinations involved in the life of an American ambassador... not only does it give us an insight into a complicated job, but it gives us a better understanding of an important time in American and world history... Loftus' sense of humor and his renowned wit are very much in evidence..."

-Dave Zweifel, The Capital Times

"This wonderfully engaging memoir is by a diplomat-politician with an exceptional feel for both callings. Taking us into the room when kings are met, a president is cajoled, and sensitive international diplomatic deals are made, Loftus uses his wry storytelling gift to create a rollicking good journey and compelling tale of a fascinating career."

- Peter Ross Range, author and journalist who covered international affairs for Time and U.S. News & World Report

"Your wry sense of humor shines throughout. So well written. How things really work on the ground in an embassy. I would assign it in a heartbeat for my diplomacy course at Occidental."

- Ambassador Derek Shearer, former ambassador to Finland and professor of diplomacy at Occidental College

"Dear Tom, Thank you for sharing with me the Lillehammer Winter Olympics chapter of your memoir. Nice job! I so enjoyed reading and remembering my visit during your time as ambassador. Thank you for sharing it with me, and good luck with the book."

- Hillary Clinton, first lady and former secretary of state

"Tom Loftus provides a fascinating, day-by-day account of what it's like to represent U.S. interests abroad as an ambassador. From high calorie banquets to high stakes diplomacy (sometimes the same thing), Loftus makes the life of an ambassador come alive on the page with engaging wit, profound insight, and committed patriotism. It's a book that will make Americans proud and Norwegians happy, and what's a better combination than that?!"

Kevin Reilly, President University of Wisconsin System, 2004 - 2014. Poet and teacher of Irish Studies.

About the Author

Tom Loftus served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway from 1993 to 1998. A member of the Wisconsin Legislature from 1977 to 1991, he was the longest-serving Democratic Speaker of the Assembly, from 1983 to 1991. In 1990, he was the Democratic candidate for governor. Tom was special advisor to the director general of the World Health Organization from 1998 to 2005. He was a member of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 2005 to 2011, and in 2020 and 2021 was senior policy advisor to the UW System president. Tom is on the board of the Outrider Foundation. A U.S. Army veteran, he is a UW-Whitewater graduate and earned a master's degree from UW-Madison's La Follette School of Public Affairs.