The Politics of Diplomacy

by James A. Baker III, Thomas M. DeFrank

The Secretary of State in the Bush Administration recounts his efforts at diplomacy during the extraordinary events of his time in office, from the fall of the U.S.S.R. to the Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. 150,000 first printing. $150,000 ad/promo. First serial, Newsweek.

Genres: Politics, History, Biography, American History, Nonfiction

687 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

James Addison Baker III (born April 28, 1930) is an American attorney and governmental official.

Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Baker also served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1985–1988 in the second Reagan administration, and Secretary of State in the George H. W. Bush administration. He is also the honorary chair of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Reviews

[Tony Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read about one of the most pivotal periods of the 20th century, bur it depicts only the opinion of one side. I wonder what the other side would have said!!!!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read! James Baker's diplomatic memoirs cover his time as Secretary of State from 1989 to 1992. This book provides a unique insight into the world as it was being fundamentally transformed. Baker details the decisions, negotiations and processes which drove the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the reunification of Germany, the liberation of Eastern Europe from Soviet domination and communism. There is also a detailed review of the first Gulf war and the following Mid East Peace process efforts. Baker sets up a structure to his diplomacy based on the need to gain domestic consensus for international action. This is a skill he is excellent at as he describes his patient negotiations with a Democrat controlled Congress prior to deciding and acting on behalf of the USA. Baker describes the process of the Soviet collapse and subsequent liberation of Eastern Europe in extensive details. There are details about discussions with Gorbachev and his Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze. Baker describes how he developed a genuine, deep friendship with his Soviet counterpart as they tackled the difficult issues surrounding the transformation of Europe. One of the few light hearted moments in an otherwise very serious book is Baker's description of him and Shevardnadze downing half gallon of Georgian vodka with tarkhun at the apartment of Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli (along with Evgenii Primakov)....The boom details the reluctance of Britain and especially France to allow German reunification and the careful diplomacy which allowed it to happen. Baker seems to repeat the challenge which France posed for American diplomacy even as an ally. The details of the liberation of Eastern Europe add a source of emotional joy to this book as Baker describes in detail not only the diplomatic but the human responses he sees. His interpreter breaks down in tears as Baker meets with Vaclav Havel in Czechoslovakia. The interpreter was a Czech whose family was exiled by the communists and now he was back to a free country for the first time. Seems the impact was just too much. Another incredible description was Baker's visit to Albania. Hundreds of thousands of Albanians lined his motorcade from the airport to Tirana to cheer him on as the nation was liberated by the most repressive dictatorship in the communist bloc. Several Albanians actually lifted his limousine off the ground to carry it into the main square of the city. WOW! The chapters about the first Iraq war are fascinating. The description of Baker's methodical diplomacy in putting together a truly global coalition, including the recalcitrant Arab states, is like reading a master class on diplomacy. The competence and skill is truly breathtaking. The efforts of reconciling multitudes of countries' various concerns is at once difficult to read and enlightening. Seems that every nation had some concerns, China, Syria, Israel, everyone. Several nations were particularly challenging both directly and behind the scenes. Still, Baker and his staff get it done and get just about everyone on board. WOW again! The post war use of America's standing to bring the Arabs and Israelis to direct negotiations about the region for the first time ever is equally interesting. It is painful reading to see the petty, backstabbing, truculent, sneaky guts of Mid East diplomacy as Baker describes it. Still, he managed to get the whole region together for the Madrid Conference and a first ever face to face between Israel and many of her Arab neighbors. This was roll up the sleeves shuttle diplomacy at its finest. There is also an interesting bit about the Panama invasion and removal of Noriega. Interestingly, Baker sheds insight into some problems which would flare up later. Notable, his discussion of the difficult negotiations with Russia and Ukraine aimed at removing nukes from Ukraine raise issues which are now on display in the region. This is not an easy read. The book is dense with information and the prose is a bit dry. Overall, the book provides a unique, stunning insight into American diplomacy. It places the reader in the cockpit of American foreign policy at a time of unprecedented global change and as piloted by one of the greatest practitioners of the diplomatic art. WOW, WOW and WOW!

[Halldór Thorgeirsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Baker was Secretary of State in a very interesting period. This book gives good insight into these momentous events. James is avoids overstating his influence over events but clearly looks at them from the perspective of US foreign policy objectives at the time. He (or someone with him) has kept good notes. Some of the accounts are quite detailed. The insights into what was going on in Moscow are particularly interesting.

[Nemanja Sh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might not be the best person to judge this book because I am a great fan of James A. Baker. His analysis is great and I appreciate the fact that he had included a lot of dialogue in this book. What's also great is that his chapter on the war in Yugoslavia is not anti-Serbia, something that is rare these days. He presents a very objective view of the situation.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book paints a very clear picture of the world both during the cold war and its aftermath. It shows a world filled with hope and understanding, people who wanted to change to world now that it was possibly. Being writing shortly after his tenure as sectary of state it shows how he is still committed to the ideals he fought to make happen.
President Bush and James Baker had to go through the most difficult time in American foreign policy. His presidency say the end of Apartheid, independent of Namibia, ending of the civil wars in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Angola, Madrid peace conference, the break up and following wars in Yugoslavia, Tiananmen square, the break up of the Soviet Union and the Gulf war. These are only the highlights.
Baker is able to show it all and tells about his experiences and his frustrations. Don’t be surprised if you walk away disliking a hell of a lot of people he mentions in his book. This book is also full of the American and world optimism that was prevalent in the 90’s. This does however that with our knowledge not all of his personal assessments turned out to be all that on the money.
This book is a great piece to understand American foreign policy, George Bush, anything about the Gulf war, and the breakup of the Soviet Union.

[Salvatore DiMartino · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of political history, i found this book to be a great behind the scenes look at some of the most historical events in world history over the past 40 years. From the fall of the Iron Curtain and the reunification of Germany to Operation Desert Storm to US-Soviet relations, the author, who was Secretary of State during this time brings his personal insights behind each of these major happenings.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to work for and support Secretary Baker. He “tells it like it was” in this book. I RE-read it in 2020 while researching a 400-page study. The book stands as a reminder of the importance of strong and credible American diplomacy, sound vision, moral courage, and faith in the power of freedom over tyranny.