The Unofficial Diplomat: A memoir [Paperback]

Joanne Grady Huskey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0982386729 | ISBN-13: 978-0982386729

The book describes the author's experiences in China during the 1989 "Beijing Spring." It moves to India, and then Kenya at the time of the American Embassy bombing in Nairobi. "From the Chinese army's crackdown in Tiananmen Square to Al Qaeda's terror attacks on the American Embassy in Nairobi, Joanne and Jim Huskey have been on the front lines of some of the most dramatic moments in recent historyJim as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, Joanne as his intrepid partner. A compelling political thriller, colorful adventure story, and well-written travel-ogue, The Unofficial Diplomat provides a revealing behind-the-scenes glimpse of what life is really like for our diplomats and their families as they face the challenges of representing the United States while seeking to carve out a semblance of normal existence in a tumultuous world. A wonderful read." MIKE CHINOY, former CNN Senior Asia Corrrespondent "This book provides a wonderful insight into the highs and lows, the exuberance and terrors, of a life well lived in the Foreign Service. Read the part about the al Qaeda bombing of the Nairobi embassy in 1998 and you will understand how the mindset and personal leadership of community members like Joanne helped us accomplish extraordinary things against great odds. The Unofficial Diplomat makes clear why Foreign Service spouses and family members deserve such respect and affection." PRUDENCE BUSHNELL, former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala "The Huskeys brought enthusiasm and exuberance to their two China postings, backed by a profound interest in the history and culture of China. And when faced with the tragedy of Tiananmen in June 1989, while Jim Huskey performed brilliantly, applying his creativity and adventurous spirit to get the account right, Joanne was with him all the way. Her diverse talents and humanity brought two worlds closer together. Both understand the importance and appeal of Taiwan and yet clearly know the power of China in our future. A very good bookread it!" JAMES R. LILLEY, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former Director of the American Institute in Taiwan

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: SCARITH (October 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982386729
• ISBN-13: 978-0982386729
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,391,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner, December 6, 2009

By 

Analisa Allen (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unofficial Diplomat: A memoir (Paperback)

I read this book because I am an American who lived in Kenya and was interested to hear about another woman's experiences living abroad. I couldn't put this book down. Joanne has lived through some of the turning points international history (Tiannamen Square, Nairobi Bombing) and hearing her stories from the point of view of a mother, businesswoman, and diplomats wife was fascinating. I highly recommend this book for anybody interested in foreign policy, travel, and reading about a strong, resourceful woman. Very inspiring.

4.0 out of 5 stars Unofficial Diplomat Officially Diplomatic, May 12, 2010

By 

Laura C. Wilson (Wassenaar, the Netherlads) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unofficial Diplomat: A memoir (Paperback)

Joanne Grady Huskey, a diplomat's wife, who has lived through such international crisis as Tiannaman Square and the bombing of our American Embassy in Nirobi, shares her personal experences in a fast paced book full of adventures most of us only dream of.
Hers was an eventful, exciting and productive lifestyle in the foreign service. Sharing how she gives back to each posting, whether it's establishing her own company, Global Adjustments, to chairing the American Women's Association where she raised money to aid Nirobi bomb vicitims, Joanne exemplifies the epitome of giving of herself.
Though some descriptions of her adventures felt embellished and colored over, especially in her third world postings, I found it a good read, particularly for any expat looking for a relatable description of this lifestyle.
-Laura Wilson

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational reading for diplomatic spouses, January 17, 2010

By 

Robin Pascoe (North Vancouver, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unofficial Diplomat: A memoir (Paperback)

Nothing made me happier than when Joanne Grady Huskey succeeded in publishing her extraordinary story and experiences as the wife of an American diplomat in China, India and Kenya. "The Unofficial Diplomat: A Memoir" (New Academia Publishing) released in late 2009 was truly twenty years in the making.

I met Joanne when we were both posted in Beijing, China in the early 1990s. But I arrived a year after that country's political turning point of 1989 and the crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Joanne, however, was right in the thick of it and writes superbly about the events people only saw from CNN. She offers perspective literally from the ground level. I also was fortunate to carry on some of her work with the Beijing International Volunteers, which she created to assist with disabled Chinese orphans (many of whom had the sole disability of being girl-babies.) The first time I saw the youngsters performing in wheel chairs was extraordinarily moving, and it was all due to Joanne's fine work (her own background is in dancing) and committment to them.

From China, Joanne and her family moved to India (where she started a cross-cultural business and what eventually became the American School of Chennai where coincidentally, I lectured in 2008!) and to Kenya, where she once again got caught up in political events when the American Embassy in Nairobi was bombed. As a writer (and not Joanne's stalker!) I would say these kinds of circumstances lead to great reportage but Joanne never exploits her experiences, but rather informs and enlightens the reader of both world events in the larger view, and daily life for a diplomatic spouse in more intimate day-to-day living matters.

Not only does she advance 'the cause' by educating those who think diplomatic and expat wives are just along for the ride as 'expensive luggage' (the designation I used to cheekily write on my landing cards when I was a not-terribly-diplomatic-Canadian foreign service spouse), but she is an extremely intelligent writer who asked a lot of question, and always engaged fully in the culture of her host countries. She tried to be an agent of change, unofficially of course.