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Diplomatic Tradecraft
As universities and governments seek to prepare the next generation of diplomats to manage international affairs, they finally have a teaching tool focusing on the practical knowledge and skills that in the past could be learned only on the job. Edited by Nicholas Kralev, founder of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, Diplomatic Tradecraft brings together 18 career ambassadors with decades of experience to lift the curtain on a mysterious but vital profession, and to pass on the insights and abilities they gained to those who will succeed them. Beginning with an overview of diplomatic institutions and protocols, the text considers the key attributes of diplomatic communication and negotiation, as well as core specializations including economic, consular and public diplomacy. With compelling narratives, case studies and exercise scenarios, the chapters on various aspects of diplomatic practice form a cohesive and comprehensive volume, written in an accessible and engaging style.
414 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2024
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About the author
Nicholas Kralev
6 books8 followersNicholas 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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 22, 2025
Assigned reading in my class on International Diplomacy in my Master’s Program.
Pretty standard for a textbook. Maybe above average.
The authors are all professional diplomats and closely connected to what they are writing about. This means that have many personal examples to demonstrate what they are saying.
It is by Americans and for Americans, so if that’s not you, I imagine the examples might not be as helpful.
The weakness is that parts of it can be long descriptions of things that could have been charts.
Pretty standard for a textbook. Maybe above average.
The authors are all professional diplomats and closely connected to what they are writing about. This means that have many personal examples to demonstrate what they are saying.
It is by Americans and for Americans, so if that’s not you, I imagine the examples might not be as helpful.
The weakness is that parts of it can be long descriptions of things that could have been charts.
Displaying 1 of 1 review