Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey

by Brian Urquhart

A superb narrative biography of the international diplomat and racial pioneer―the basis for the acclaimed four-part PBS TV series. Ralph Bunche was instrumental ― sometimes at great personal risk ― in finding peaceful solutions to incendiary conflicts around the world, while at the same time he was never far from the realities of racial prejudice. Bunche rose from modest circumstances to become the foremost international mediator and peacekeeper of his time, winner of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize and key drafter of the United Nations charter. Drawing on Bunche's personal papers and on his many years as Bunche's colleague at the UN, Brian Urquhart's elegant biography delineates a man with a zest for life as well as unsurpassed integrity of purpose. "Brian Urquhart brings [Bunche] back to life with a splendid biography. . . . Bunche emerges here as one of the major American diplomatic figures of this century and one of the towering leaders in African American history."―Arnold Rampersad, Princeton University  At once a splendid biography of a very brave and remarkable American, a vivid account of the struggle for racial justice, and an indispensable introduction to the dilemmas of international peacekeeping."―Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. 30 pages of photographs and illustrations

Genres: Biography, History, African American, Nonfiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Major Sir Brian Edward Urquhart, KCMG, MBE, was a British international civil servant and World War II veteran, and author. He played a significant role in the founding of the United Nations, ultimately serving as its Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs from 1972 until 1986.

Reviews

[Ash Gawain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reference biography of Ralph Bunche, the first Afro-American recipient of a Nobel prize (Peace prize in 1950 for his mediation putting an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict.) Written by one of Ralph Bunche’s main aides, the book covers the entire span of his life, from his childhood in Detroit and his teens in Los Angeles to his PhD at Harvard, and his early teaching career in Washington DC. Though an outstanding political scientist, Ralph Bunche has to suffer Jim Crow and the segregation laws. In the thirties, he is hired by Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdal for a ‘field work’ in the southern states to study the segregation and becomes the lead author of the sociological study ‘An American dilemma’ (1944). During the war, he advises the state department about African colonies, but also about the problems stemming from racial segregation within the US armed forces. As the war ends, he is involved in the San Francisco conference which gave the birth of the United Nations, to which his soon detailed, before becoming a full-time employee: rather live in New-York than in Washington: less segregation there. At the UN, he pursues an outstanding career, even if he sometimes would like to step down to be more involved with the civil right movement. Unfortunately for him, he is too good, and the UN cannot do without him. He will work there until his death.
The story of Ralph Bunche is both breathtaking and deeply interesting for anybody wishing to know more about the civil-right movement, the post-war decolonization and the first thirty years of the history of the United-Nations.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book during the year in which I studied the United Nations.

Perhaps one the most important figures in Post World II diplomacy, Ralph Bunche is deserving of the insightful, nuanced treatment given to his story by this biographer.

I highly recommend the book to all wishing to understand this extraordinarily talented man who defined modern diplomacy and statecraft.

[Jason Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life story of a true international servant and civil rights advocate, not to mention Nobel Laureate. Bunche's career is inspirational. His talent and accomplishments in mediating conflicts are only dwarfed by his steadfast commitment to true international peace. After reading this book I'd describe him as a highly effective idealist, which is what I think we should all strive to be.

The UN is one of the most ambitious undertakings humanity has ever set out to organize. It's almost an insane idea, and its young history is filled with failures. But I see its successes, however small, as the most important steps towards pacifism that there ever have been. The staff that populate the UN, like Bunche, hold an overflowing faith in international peace and cooperation. The UN is a place for optimists, which is why Bunche thrived there.

Resisting the influences of his own national government, Bunche showcased an unconditional commitment to humanity in a way that too few people have and do. He pioneered the peacekeeping program and negotiated countless cease fires. (Fun fact: the 1992 Watts Truce between the Bloods and Crips was directly inspired by Bunches efforts to negotiate an Israeli-Arab cease fire).

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book a higher score, because there are some really great things about it, but there are some weaknesses too.

The book is at its best when describing peacekeeping actions undertaken by the United Nations. As part of Bunche's staff for much of this time, Urquhart has a firm grasp on and a strong passion for the material, and the material is fascinating.

He does not do as well with the information leading up to that. This may be partly due to a reliance on information from a family cousin for the early chapters, dealing with Bunche's origin and education. The book is at its slowest while this material is being covered.

However, I think there are also some issues with Urquhart's instincts on how to handle that kind of information. This happens most frequently with references to the correspondence between Bunche and his wife. The strain of frequent separation frequently led to mutual recrimination, and sometimes very nasty letters are quoted, and other time they are very supportive, and I feel like it is not understood.

This is even more evident with their references to the children, whom they frequently worried about. At times the letters refer to failure and ruining the children, but no details on what would make them seem ruined. Eventually we learn that one daughter suffered from depression, and eventually killed herself, but there is no clear connection, or explanation of why both girls were ruined, instead of just the depressed one. Similar issues occasionally occurred on other subjects, but it was most prevalent with the family.

That means the book works less well as a biography, where you come to understand the man, and that is unfortunate because it is undoubtedly the best researched, most thorough work on Bunche available.

That being said, there is still much to admire. The United Nations aspects are fascinating, and it is worth learning more about Bunche, a remarkable man, and you do learn more--perhaps just not as much as would have been enjoyable.

There is still a lot of food for thought on issues of diplomacy, balancing personal needs against the greater good (in addition to family issues, his health suffered a great deal in pursuit of his causes), civil rights, black exceptionalism, and often just the difficulty of doing good when it is so easily sabotaged by others for reasons of pride, greed, or ignorance.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because Ralph Bunche was one of my childhood heroes, I had wanted to read this book for many years, and it was a pleasure to finally have the opportunity to do so. It took a bit longer to read than I expected- I suspect that I will never be able to fully adjust to my much reduced speed and stamina in reading. In this case, because this is not my own copy but a library book, the unavoidable consequence is that I am going to owe a fairly large fine for returning it late... [More to follow]

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the life work of Ralph Bunche provides key insights on how his involvement in the civil rights movement informed his work with the United Nations. A long book at 400+ pages, but an important read for those interested in Bunche's upbringing, motivations, and accomplishments.

[Darrell Stanaford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of one great servant leader by another