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Over Here
OVER HERE does for Great Britain what Alistair Cooke has done for the States. Raymond Seitz was US Ambassador to Britain from 1990 to 1994. Unlike the majority of his predecessors he didn't return home, but decided to stay on in the UK. Again, unlike the majority of US Ambassadors, Seitz was not a political appointment, but a career diplomat - and one of the most successful of his generation. Following on from his successful radio 4 series of the same title, OVER HERE, is about the Transatlantic relationship at every level : Politics, diplomacy, education, language, sports, animals, currency, pomp and circumstance.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2016
Raymond Seitz, appointed by George Bush Sr., was the first career diplomat to hold the post of US Ambassador to the Court of St. James in just about forever. The post is normally reserved for political appointees.
This warm and thoroughly enjoyable memoir is wittily and lucidly written and combines personal and professional reminiscence in ideal measure. I learnt a lot about diplomacy as a profession, the US-UK 'special' relationship and the minutiae of British and American government and administration – as well what some of the great and good of both countries were really like when you came face to face with them.
Don't expect scandal or deep political analysis. The author is a diplomat.
If you aren't overly left-wing or anti-elitist in your sentiments, you're likely to find this a damn' good read.
This warm and thoroughly enjoyable memoir is wittily and lucidly written and combines personal and professional reminiscence in ideal measure. I learnt a lot about diplomacy as a profession, the US-UK 'special' relationship and the minutiae of British and American government and administration – as well what some of the great and good of both countries were really like when you came face to face with them.
Don't expect scandal or deep political analysis. The author is a diplomat.
If you aren't overly left-wing or anti-elitist in your sentiments, you're likely to find this a damn' good read.
January 10, 2019
A look inside an era when diplomacy mattered and diplomats weren't political lackeys
January 14, 2026
This is the well-written and received memoir of the Bush Sr. era ambassador to the Court of St. James, containing a seemingly-endless audit of life in the United Kingdom (meaning, of course, England.) Seitz was also an accomplished journalist and thus every page sparks and crackles with combustive wordplay, as he covers every aspect of British (English) life from high politics to gardening styles. The reviews from British (English) readers attest to its authenticity and obvious sincerity.
The fall of the British Empire was pretty well accomplished by the time Seitz stood in the Queen’s reception line, but not all its dust had settled nor all the reflection faded from its setting sun. Seitz recorded the end-century transition with all the hopeful zest of post-cold-war Thatcher/Reagan optimism, but in the end the Kingdom still comes across as a crochety uncle in his tumbledown country house, kept from receivership and a nursing home by the generous but distant relative abroad. Whatever fragment of Trumpism breaks off and floats across the Atlantic, MEGA will always be a complete illusion. The difference is that the Brits know it.
Seitz presents the UK and US as cousins bifurcating from the same trunk linked at the root. I’m not so sure; this reflects I think more of the Anglophilia at the top of American society rather than everyday reality. Despite his pains taken, even Seitz himself says at the end, “A foreigner can only understand bits of Britain, never the whole” (p. 356.) I remain convinced the USA is as different from the UK as Dixie from New England, which stay united only because there is a broad common landmass between, not an ocean. Even Australia is closer to English society and culture than us across the pond.
Seitz opens the Velvet Curtain to reveal a society Americans think they know but to which they are oblivious and clueless. Is the City of London the same as London city? Does running or standing for office make government more representative? Is the House of Lords a rusting remnant of an old Central Committee awaiting its perestroika? Are English hedges regulated by the foot? Does the state send out telecommunication detectives to police unauthorized BBC access? And who are the Archers, really?
It's still a good read (as opposed to easy), from a time when cognitive skill and verbal construction mattered in writing.
The fall of the British Empire was pretty well accomplished by the time Seitz stood in the Queen’s reception line, but not all its dust had settled nor all the reflection faded from its setting sun. Seitz recorded the end-century transition with all the hopeful zest of post-cold-war Thatcher/Reagan optimism, but in the end the Kingdom still comes across as a crochety uncle in his tumbledown country house, kept from receivership and a nursing home by the generous but distant relative abroad. Whatever fragment of Trumpism breaks off and floats across the Atlantic, MEGA will always be a complete illusion. The difference is that the Brits know it.
Seitz presents the UK and US as cousins bifurcating from the same trunk linked at the root. I’m not so sure; this reflects I think more of the Anglophilia at the top of American society rather than everyday reality. Despite his pains taken, even Seitz himself says at the end, “A foreigner can only understand bits of Britain, never the whole” (p. 356.) I remain convinced the USA is as different from the UK as Dixie from New England, which stay united only because there is a broad common landmass between, not an ocean. Even Australia is closer to English society and culture than us across the pond.
Seitz opens the Velvet Curtain to reveal a society Americans think they know but to which they are oblivious and clueless. Is the City of London the same as London city? Does running or standing for office make government more representative? Is the House of Lords a rusting remnant of an old Central Committee awaiting its perestroika? Are English hedges regulated by the foot? Does the state send out telecommunication detectives to police unauthorized BBC access? And who are the Archers, really?
It's still a good read (as opposed to easy), from a time when cognitive skill and verbal construction mattered in writing.
April 22, 2019
A some-what dated analysis of Anglo-American relations (the book concludes before the end of the Bosnian crises in the mid-90's), and the socio-historical tends that unite and dive the two countries. Interesting primarily for its well-collated observations on British culture from an American perspective, and for the vast number of wryly-told historical and contemporary anecdotes from political life. Some readers may find his analysis on British opinions towards Europe foreboding in light of Brexit.
May 16, 2017
This was not what I expected and pleasantly surprised. He went through whole history of Anglo American relationships in all areas. Sometimes a little long winded ,but knew going onto next subject at the end of chapter
I feel could have given more personal anecdotes as must have met many interesting people
A good book all round. Looks like only thing he has written sure if he came up with another idea I would consider reading more from him
I feel could have given more personal anecdotes as must have met many interesting people
A good book all round. Looks like only thing he has written sure if he came up with another idea I would consider reading more from him
January 30, 2026
Really enjoyed the first half, and then the second half really droned on and added nothing new. He’s also very politically clear for an ambassador after the half way mark..
June 26, 2015
A bit dated, although a huge plus that the author was a career diplomat, who managed appointment to (probably) the highest American post overseas, that would otherwise be a donor reward job. First hundred pages are an abridged autobiography, before getting down to the U. K. stuff, showing he's a fairly regular guy. Makes decent vacation/travel material.
January 18, 2015
This book was very helpful at helping me settle when I moved to London. It compares and contrasts the American and English cultures, making both easier to understand from the others' perspective. Insightful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews