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Act of Creation: The Founding of the United Nations Paperback – December 14, 2004

by Stephen C. Schlesinger (Author)

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In Act of Creation, Stephen C. Schlesinger tells a pivotal and little-known story of how Secretary of State Edward Stettinius and the new American President, Harry Truman, picked up the pieces of the faltering campaign initiated by Franklin Roosevelt to create a "United Nations." Using secret agents, financial resources, and their unrivaled position of power, they overcame the intrigues of Stalin, the reservations of wartime allies like Winston Churchill, the discontent of smaller states, and a skeptical press corps to found the United Nations. The author reveals how the UN nearly collapsed several times during the conference over questions of which states should have power, who should be admitted, and how authority should be divided among its branches. By shedding new light on leading participants like John Foster Dulles, John F. Kennedy, Adlai Stevenson, Nelson Rockefeller, and E. B White, Act of Creation provides a fascinating tale of twentieth-century history not to be missed.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When President Roosevelt died in April 1945, the plans for a United Nations suddenly fell into peril. Many wondered if the unassuming new president from Independence, Mo., would postpone the long-planned San Francisco conference scheduled to begin in two weeks' time. But Truman's commitment to the global organization was steadfast. For the previous 50 years, he had carried in his pocket a folded piece of paper with the words of his favorite poem, "Lockesley Hall," by Alfred Lord Tennyson: "Till the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the battle-flags were furl'd/In the Parliament of Man, the Federation of the World./There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in awe/And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapt in universal law." Thus, nothing halted the gathering of delegates from all over the world to discuss the thorny issues that would be addressed in the U.N. charter. Most of Schlesinger's book covers the nine-week San Francisco conference, a fascinating web of intrigue, power and greed. Most interesting is the performance by the American secretary of state, Edward Stettinius, chief overseer and coordinator of the conference. While his ability was doubted and he was criticized by many, Stettinius performed brilliantly, according to Schlesinger, who credits him with the conference's success. Whatever the reader's opinion of the U.N. and its current role, Schlesinger, director of the New School University's World Policy Institute, provides a masterful account of the drama acted out on the pressure-filled stage of San Francisco. He handles the complexities with ease and provides the reader with an engaging and thorough account. 16 pages of b&w photos. 40,000 first printing.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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"'[Schlesinger's] detailed account of the scheming, skullduggery and political horse-trading behind the creation of the UN is a timely reminder of what the organization's founders expected it to become'. The Economist"

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Product details

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Basic Books; Edition Unstated edition (December 14, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0813332753
ISBN-13: 978-0813332758
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 9 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #509 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Diplomacy
- #6211 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Political Science
- #18977 in Books > History > World

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An Extremely Valuable and Well-Written History of the UN's Creation

ByDmitry Preobrazhenskyon June 1, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Mr. Schlesinger has done the world a great service by writing this book. It describes in lucid detail the prelude to the San Francisco conference, the conference itself and the subsequent ratification process. The book provides interesting biographical information on the major figures that played a lead role in the founding of the UN. Some, like Roosevelt, Truman, Molotov, and Stalin are well-known. Others such as Leo Pasvolsky and Edward Stettinius, Jr. have largely been forgotten and are brilliantly given their proper role in this book.

The book's greatest contribution is a description of the main subjects of debate at the founding of the United Nations. Some of the main arguments, such as regional security arrangements and the veto power of the Security Council, continue to be hotly debated today, while others that caused major friction at the time are no longer a factor in UN debates. In reading this book one comes to realize how the contemporary political climate and dynamics of power influence important decisions that have long-lasting consequences and are difficult to undo. The founding of the UN came at a major transition point in world politics and the redrawing of the European order which is reflected in the decisions made and compromises reached in its founding.

This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the United Nations and how it became the organization that it is today. UN4Peace

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An enjoyable account of the United Nations

ByDana Walkeron October 23, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This was a very well written, and enjoyable account on the beginnings of the United Nations. I was compelled to purchase this book after watching the U.N. debates and wanting to know more about the organization. This book doesn’t really address the current practicality of the U.N., but is a very clever story of the birth of the organization that I recommend to those who have very limited knowledge about it. Furthermore, I learned a lot about the accompanying players of its creation, such as, Stettinius, Pasvolsky, Molotov, Vandenberg etc., the political landscape of the time, as well as realpolitiks. Most of the political books I’ve read have been around theory, so I was pleasantly surprised when this book was primarily focused on the day-to-day battles in getting the charter passed vs. theoretical underpinnings. Though, I will say that I would like to explore more the connection between the fervent to establish the U.N amongst the backdrop of a devastating World War; I don’t think such an organization could be developed today (this could be in unexpected tribute to the U.N). Lastly, I appreciate the role the USA had in establishing the organization as it shows the influence and excellence of this country.

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A Most Important Creation

ByMike Bon February 6, 2011

Format: Paperback

A very readable account of the building of the structure of the U.N. at San Francisco in May-June 1945.

The strength of this book is in the presentation of the diverse personalities involved. Truman, Edward Stettinius, Leo Pasvolsky, Arthur Vandenberg (a Republican), Nelson Rockefeller, Vyacheslav Molotov of the Soviet Union and more are introduced. Each was strongly motivated in desiring a U.N. And they wanted it done before the Second World War was over; Roosevelt and Truman learned from the mistakes of Woodrow Wilson who waited until after the Great War was over to begin constructing the League of Nations. Also both Roosevelt and Truman brought Republican involvement in this development and the Republicans participated at San Francisco. There was also a tremendous publicity campaign within the U.S. that brought Americans on board for the U.N. Truman wanted to ensure that there was no apathy in his country about the U.N.

The building of the framework - basically the wording of the U.N. constitution or charter - was largely a U.S. initiative. Roosevelt made sure that Stalin was to be a participant at Yalta. Nevertheless the Soviets were constantly questioning and objecting to various aspects of the U.N. Charter. The writing of the U.N. Charter was done by the Americans. It was begun at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. In San Francisco all countries participating met to finalize the Charter. It took over two months of haggling to accomplish this. The success can be credited to the American team headed by Edward Stettinius. Sadly Stettinius's name is not even mentioned in the U.N. building in New York.

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The Birth of the United Nations

ByLehigh History StudentVINE VOICEon June 25, 2007

Format: Paperback

This book takes the reader through the San Francisco conference that established the United Nations (UN) and shows how the organization came into being. This is not meant to serve as a history of the UN and it does not take a position on whether it is good or bad. It merely discusses the differences that the nations had in the big power arena and focuses on a couple of the bigger disputes. The decision to add Belarus and Ukraine to the delegation but not Poland is explored as well as what to do with Argentina. The Truman administration inherited a tough war and an even tougher peace. The United Nations framework was built on the Yalta agreements which Truman was not even at. Sttennius and his state department team would be the real victors with the establishment of the UN despite Truman's desire to install a new secretary of state. The book has several areas where the language is unclear and it is hard to follow the authors point but largely it is well done and good analysis. The author knows his subject well and it is an excellent look at how diplomatic history should be done. If you really want to learn about how the UN was started this is the book to use.

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Most recent customer reviews

would you like to go to the back satge of the UN creation?

If your answer to the title of this review is YES, so you should buy this book. I just got it a few days ago and i can't stop reading it.Read more

Published on September 12, 2004 by MUNcoholic

Good summary

Schlesinger gives us a good overview of the impetus for and process of creating the UN. There are some interesting, provocative events told in this story, but I finished the book...Read more

Published on June 7, 2004 by Andrew Berschauer

Praise for a corrupt and greedy world-conqueror

What is missing from American readers is an ability to read between the lines, and a state of denial of where this world is heading.Read more

Published on May 2, 2004 by Greg

A Great Book!

I enjoyed this book immensely! It kept my interest from the time you learn of Roosevelt's death to Truman's speech at the inauguration of the United Nations.Read more

Published on April 6, 2004 by Amazon Customer

An in-depth and detailed saga

Act Of Creation: A Story Of Superpowers, Secret Agents, Wartime Allies And Enemies And Their Quest For A Peaceful World by Stephen C.Read more

Published on December 11, 2003 by Midwest Book Review

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