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Stephen C. Schlesinger

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.

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publication date

December 14, 2004
Dimensions

6 x 1.01 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0813332753
ISBN-13

978-0813332758
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About the Author

Stephen Schlesinger is Director of the World Policy Institute at the New School University in New York City. In the mid-1990s, he worked at the United Nations, and also served as a speechwriter and foreign policy advisor to New York's Governor Mario Cuomo for twelve years. He is a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers, including the Washington Post , the Los Angeles Times , The Nation , and the New York Observer . He lives in New York City.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books; Edition Unstated (December 14, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813332753
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0813332758
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.01 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #854,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #954 in International Diplomacy (Books)
- #7,532 in Political Science (Books)
- #32,565 in World History (Books)

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18 ratings

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Dana Walker

An enjoyable account of the United Nations

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015

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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.

One person found this helpful

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Nicky B

This book provides information that I have not read before ...

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2018

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This book provides information that I have not read before, and I have read quite a bit on the UN.

One person found this helpful

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Mike B

A Most Important Creation

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2011

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

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2007

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.

4 people found this helpful

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Andrew Berschauer

Good summary

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2004

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 thinking the story could (should) have been more interesting. That said, it was a decent, consistent read--a good case study in "getting to 'yes'".

One person found this helpful

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ruben1183

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

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2004

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. It's amaizing how the author tells all the story behind the creation of the UN. Specially all the effort of FDR to gather some of the most powerful nations in wartime. If you belive in the values of the united nations, so you would like to know who its fathers are.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A Great Book!

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2004

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. You learn about some of Roosevelt's thoughts on the need for the UN. Most importantly you learn about the true architects of the UN charter. You learn of the people involved and the opposing viewpoints that shaped the language of the charter. It is not a stuffy book nor a read with big words. It is a down to earth, straight forward review of the UN's beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in world politics.

5 people found this helpful

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Greg

Praise for a corrupt and greedy world-conqueror

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2004

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. Why do Democrats try to portray the need for the UN? They condition us to think the sky will fall without their "international" support. Did you know that America abandoned China, refusing even to sell them weapons, all the while, they were being taken over by the communists who control china today, and were members of the U.N. while the nationalists China were removed from membership. I think the best thing this country could do is leave the U.N.
Read the book "The Insiders: Architects of the New World Order" for a real education. Or "None Dare Call it Conspiracy."
if can't find here, try ebay.

6 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Peter Hebb

A valuable and thorough look at the foundations of the U.N.

Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2015

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A very thoroughly researched and well-written book. There are details and nuances here for historians and those interested in the genesis of this behemoth. The details of the partisan games on the US delegation, the constants leaks to the media, the stonewalling of Molokov and the Soviet Union. It is also good to see Stettinius get some of the credit he has been denied over the years.

It flowed so smoothly that I finished the book in a day

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

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Stephen C Schlesinger

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