They Call It Diplomacy

by Peter Westmacott

As well as offering an engaging and insightful account of a forty-year career spent in the upper echelons of the diplomatic and political worlds (and which included four years in pre-revolutionary Iran in addition to his fourteen years in Turkey, France, and the US), They Call It Diplomacy sets out to explain what diplomats actually do; mounts a vigorous defense of the continuing relevance of the diplomat in an age of instant communication, social media, and special envoys; and details what Westmacott sees as some of the successes of recent British diplomacy. A committed Internationalist, Westmacott offers trenchantly Europhile views on the Brexit referendum and its aftermath, and voices his concerns about Britain's ability to continue to bring its influence to bear on the wider world now that it has left the European Union.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

368 pages, Hardcover

Published March 22, 2021

Reviews

[Norma Laming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Westmacott is an interesting and astute man who had an interesting and varied career in the diplomatic service, which lasted for over 40 years. If you listen to this you will, thanks to his insights and lucid style of writing,come away with the impression that you are very knowledgeable about world affairs both in the past and currently. He takes us up to the period just before Biden became president and that of course covers Brexit. I heard a reference to this book in a podcast and was delighted to find it on here. The experiences and explanations of current affairs that he describes are both fascinating and, towards the conclusion, deeply worrying. This book is an easy listen that provides a great education. Excellent and convincing narration. I listened to the audio version read by Jonathan Keeble

[Andrew Whiffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really stimulating read. Having spent forty years in the diplomatic service, three years working for the Prince and Princess of Wales, and represented the UK as ambassador to Turkey, France and the U.S, Westmacott offers an eye-opening depth of experience and understanding - as well as a sense of the integrity which we have always hoped and believed motivates public service. I found it rather inspiring.

[Sukru Haskan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, exciting and thought provoking book! As a native Turkish, I really enjoyed each part on Iran, Turkey, US and the years in France.