America's Other Army: The U.S. Foreign Service and 21st Century Diplomacy

by Nicholas Kralev

"America's Other Army" brings the high-flying world of international diplomacy down to earth and puts a human face on a mysterious profession that has undergone a dramatic transformation since September 11, 2001. Through the stories of American diplomats, the book explains how their work affects millions of people in the United States and around the world every day, and how it contributes directly to U.S. security and prosperity. It shows a more inclusive American diplomacy that has moved beyond interacting with governments and has engaged with the private sector, civil society and individual citizens. Having visited more than 50 embassies and interviewed about 600 American diplomats, the author reveals a Foreign Service whose diversity and professional versatility have shattered old perceptions and redefined modern diplomacy. But he also depicts a service not fully equipped to address the complex challenges of the 21st century. For details, visit AmericasOtherArmy.com.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Government, International Affairs, American, 21st Century

244 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2012

About the author

Nicholas Kralev is the founding executive director of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy. A former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent, for more than a decade he witnessed the conduct of American diplomacy while accompanying four U.S. secretaries of state on their travels around the world -- Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright. His work as a journalist, speaker, educator and consultant has taken him to over 100 countries.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kralev writes a good book on US diplomacy through the eyes of the Department of State. The easy read lays out the duties, responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges. Based on interviews and research, this is a great starter for anyone with beginners knowledge of what goes into diplomacy. I did not find it completely balanced, however. I think Kralev advocates for interventionist diplomacy - if only slightly. That said, he is also an advocate for the Department of State and believes in better recognition, education, and training for its people. I came away with two big thoughts:

The big challenge State officials have is to advocate policies they don't believe in. Kralev takes a pragmatic approach to this dilemma looking at all the possible options. Even quitting instead of following a policy can have a dramatic impact on the United States.

The big opportunity, on the other hand, is the decentralized nature of State. Despite the bureaucracy, there are vast differences in issues spread over the globe necessitating a decentralized approach. The opportunity is to take broad guidance and turn it into action wherever you are. This guided autonomy could truly provide fulfillment.

[Julianne Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a number of books on the foreign service and I felt this was one of the best. Comprehensive, engaging, and thorough, this book really delves into the lives of officers and the past 4 Secretaries of State. Kralev breaks up the 5 types of tracks as well as the differences between generalists and specialists and the other agencies that work within embassies. Hearing about the everyday lives on the officers and how each posting radically changes is fascinating.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the journalistic style Kralev used to present the information. Lots of viewpoints and certainly unbiased. After meeting the author and having dinner with him it is my understanding that he wanted to present the foreign service realistically vs romantically while emphasizing the importance of the role it plays. I am shocked at how small the foreign service budget is and how important it is to our safety and the stability of the world as a whole. After Libya, I hope more people will attempt to learn the many risks and duties of foreign service personnel to ensure they are better trained, supported and funded.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a three-star for long-time members of the Foreign Service, but a solid four-star for those unfamiliar with the Foreign Service and relatively new hires. "America's Other Army" ought to be required reading in the Foreign Service's orientation course, as it more succinctly, accurately, and engagingly traces the contours of State, outlines the roles of each Foreign Service cone, and identifies the main issues and debates swirling around Foggy Bottom better than anything I experienced during my orientation a little over a year ago. Now, having stumbled around the bureaucracy for a full year and still feeling pretty bewildered by its scope and inertia, I found in "America's Other Army" a nice wrap-up of most everything I've learned so far. Plus, it's encouraging to suddenly know that the shortcomings and oddities I've discovered over the past year, isolated at a small consulate in the field, aren't just me getting quickly jaded -- rather, at least some of my issues are widespread or longstanding issues that the Department is at least talking about. I wouldn't have known without picking up the book -- or serving a tour in Washington in five or six years. Reading the book is much more convenient.

Long-time diplomats may find little new here, and non-State personnel may find the vocabulary of diplomacy unfamiliar and unwieldy. But, again, newbies know the lingo but not necessarily the issues. And the issues are all here in a nice little quick-read volume.

[Ryan Scheidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good look into the lives of Foreign Service officers around the world and the type of work they are engaged in at American embassies and consulates. Delves into how the FS has evolved with the succession of secretaries of state (Powell, Rice, Clinton) and what diplomacy post-9/11 has become. Highly recommended for anyone curious to learn more about the Foreign Service and what diplomats do.

[Matt Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Kralev has clearly spent a lot of time with many various members of the Foreign Service, from multiple Secretaries of State down to the lowliest Foreign Service Officer. He does a good job of detailing the work of many various departments and ranks, as well as how embassies function overseas. I'm in the middle of the State Dept. hiring process and this book really makes me want to make it and work there!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kralev does a great job of capturing what it's like to be in the Foreign Service, both the highs and the lows. He did an amazing amount of primary research, interviewing everyone from the Secretaries of State on down to first-tour officers over a span of nine years or so. Highly recommended if you're considering joining the State Department or USAID or if you just want to know what we do.

[Jack Holiday · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I am fascinated by foreign policy and international trade, and actually applied twice to join the Foreign Service. This book dispelled any lingering curiosity. It is mostly a dispassionate retelling of anecdotes that happened to various officers. There was no overarching connection to broader goals or philosophical discussion. If you find studying bureaucracy enjoyable, I might recommend.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is entirely possible this author had something to say, but I did not find it. This book was filled with lots of hot air and almost no substance. This book has numerous quotes from State Department officials promoting their Department (and selves) and it tends to uncritically mimic their tendency to string buzzwords together in a sequence which, if you don’t think about it, sounds almost like a sentence. Too often it seems like Kralev is just parroting his sources and transmitting the image that the State Department presents. There is a space for praise, as the State Department is a worthy part of America’s government, but Kralev tiptoes into sycophancy.

[Jeffrey Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Foreign Service

I had previously read a book on broad diplomatic theory and practices, so this book was a great contrast with details of the U.S. Foreign Service. Great read!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the different branches of the U.S. Foreign Service

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me way more information on the Foreign Service than can be gleaned from websites. It has galvanized my desire to join one day.

[José · Rating 4 out of 5]

An authoritative wealth of information on the Foreign Service and what it takes and means to be a diplomat for the United States in the 21st century.

[Becky Reinhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, insightful read about the world of Foreign Service.

[Anr706 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good first read for a burgeoning foreign service officer. The best thing about this book is the title. It is very Middle East centric and focuses on the authors journalistic experiences. I recommend it before reading others. Or just skip this and read Career Diplomacy by Harry Kopp. It’s much more informative.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

"America's Other Army: The U.S. Foreign Service and 21st Century Diplomacy" by Nicholas Kralev is a much-needed examination of one area of American public life that often forgotten but is never unimportant. With unparalleled access to the State Department, the author paints a detailed portrait of the challenges and rewards of those who work in the U.S. Foreign Service. What he shows is an organization slowly adapting to rapidly changing times but with talented people dedicated to their work.

This is not a book you read for its prose. The prose is functional to the point of being boring. But his journalistic style allows the subject matter to come through. And this is not merely a laudatory account of American diplomacy but a work that shows the vast range of projects the State Department oversees and the real impact it has while working on a very tight budget and with institutional and cultural issues that hinder its mission.

From my conversations with friends in the State Department, this book provides a well-rounded introduction to the world of the Foreign Service and should be essential reading for both current and aspiring Foreign Service Officers.

[Peter Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I go back and forth on two or three stars because this book reads largely like a middle school-level essay. Very basic. That said, the author interviewed extensively for this book, including most of the Secretaries of State from the last several administrations. I find international diplomacy fascinating, and this provided an inside look into many aspects of the job, the culture of the foreign service and State Department, and glimpses of life in embassies around the world. Mediocre writing, but an interesting enough subject to get me through.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style is too... shall I say, diplomatic? It tends to be bland, formulaic, read more like PR copy than an insider's account, feed you trivia to distract you from reading between the lines, have lots of gratuitous name and situation dropping, lots of superfluous details, and the author feels a need to insert himself into everything.

That may sound harsher than I intend it to be. It has a lot of good information. But on the whole, the book doesn't justify its opportunity cost.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-read if you've ever wondered what it is, exactly, that the Foreign Service does. (Or if you have no idea what it is and are curious about why diplomacy matters for national security.) Minus one star for occasional strange editing, including some missing footnotes, and the odd copyediting error.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initial thoughts: This is starting out feeling much more like a "so you want to join the Foreign Service" blog than a journalistic account of diplomatic life. As such it's a little boring, but here's hoping it gets past the starry-eyed stance a little further in.

Later thoughts: still bloggy but interesting all the same. I'm glad I read it.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! A balanced perspective of the Foreign Service drawing upon interviews and connections with the people in the State Department at all levels. Valuable resource for people wanting to learn more about diplomacy or considering it as a career. The author retells experiences told to him and uses them as a springboard for a discussion of issues, goals, and realities in the Foreign Service.

[Jules Motschall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a glimpse into the world of the U.S. State Department and the Foreign Service. It was an excellent mix of real life examples (featuring SoS Powell, Clinton, others) and general information about the process and lifestyle of American Diplomats. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the foreign service or in diplomacy in general.

[Nina]

Sain eilen vaaliseminaarissa ilon kuulla Kravelin puheen. Erittäin mielenkiintoinen, hyvin artikuloitu ja informatiivinen. Toi perspektiiviä Yhdysvaltojen vaalitulokseen, sekä antoi myös vähän mielenrauhaa sille, mitä saattaa tulevilta vuosilta odottaa.

[Clayton]

Slow read

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh

Expository; it reads like a long, well-researched wiki article. You'll definitely learn something if you know very little about the foreign service.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to what the Foreign Service does, with lots of material from a wide variety of FS staff that were interviewed.

[Dr. Corey Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any government employee.