Customer Reviews

Accidental Encounters with History: And Some Lessons Learned

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This engaging book moves the reader through the author's lengthy and productive diplomatic and academic career from the 1940s to the present, all presented with personal candor and humor. With great style and insight, the book provides a fascinating look at how US foreign policy has evolved.

This book, Accidental En counters with History, is a good read. Here's someone with the analytical eye of a political scientist and the experience in world affairs sought after by heads of states (including President Carter) who finally looks back some of the major events shaping our lives. Most revealing is how the decisions affecting those events are made. And these are both fascinating and, yes, even shocking, for what often matters most inside the Beltway is to keep the boss with the feeling that his ideas are unflawed.

Ubaldo DiBenedetto
Harvard University SCE

This personal account is like a charming travelogue through the recent history of our nation's foreign policy. Lincoln Bloomfield helps those of us who are novices better understand the complexities of policy and decision making. His humorous asides often made me laugh out loud. Best of all, he gives the reader real hope that rationality and logic can be brought to the table when defining and implementing international policies. He describes the process that he has devised and utilized that could help bring about a more peaceful world. I wish our current national leaders would read this book!

This is a compelling read that offers fascinating insights into how the State Department and our Embassies in foreign countries operate. The portraits drawn of famous figures in foreign affairs like John Foster Dulles are particularly interesting.
Donald W. MacCorquodale, M. D.