From Henry Kissinger’s 1994 book DIPLOMACY: “Dean Acheson was a uniquely sophisticated Secretary of State who knew his history. He had a clear sense of the requirements of the balance of power, as evidenced by many subtle analyses of geostrategic issues. But he was also sufficiently American in his approach to diplomacy to be convinced that, left to its own devices, Europe had made a mess of the balance of power, and that, for the concept of equilibrium to have meaning for Americans, it needed to be embedded in some loftier ideal. In short, America would do anything for the Atlantic Alliance except call it an alliance.”
Here there is no grand global historical view as in Kissinger’s classic. Quite the opposite. Dean Acheson writes: “The state of the world in those years and almost all that happened during them was wholly novel within the experience of those who had to deal with it. ’History,’ writes C.V. Wedgwood, ‘is lived forward but it is written in retrospect. We know the end before we consider the beginning and we can never wholly recapture what it was to know the beginning only.’ In a way, this volume is an attempt to do just that; for those who acted this drama did not know, nor do any of us yet know, the end.”
This 1969 book is a record of Acheson’s role from 1941-1952 in creating a New World Order. With opposition from many but bipartisan agreement from more. People who knew that it had to be done, that America had to do the doing, or it wouldn’t be done at all. With 76 sections, few of which exceed 15 pages, Acheson writes a concise history of the victories and defeats, the agreements and disagreements, the rights and the wrongs. With pride, with humility, with insight, and with wit starting in the epigraph from Alphonso X, King of Spain, 1252-84: “Had I been present at the creation I would have given some useful hints for the better ordering of the universe.” Wouldn’t we all, Alphonso, wouldn’t we all?
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
- +
- +
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar books based on genre
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
"vergajofra"
It has 800 pages and requires good general knowledge which young people would lack.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2020
advokat
An unavoidable book for an intellectually honest scholar of international relations
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2016john murphy
Wise words by an able strategist of the Cold
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2016a user
Excellent condition and timeliness, paper and binding superb, contents excellent
Reviewed in Germany on August 13, 2021
