Rare are the books that can appeal to several audiences, but Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service is one of them. Former Foreign Service officers Harry W. Kopp and Charles A. Gillespie have given us a crisp, often witty, overview of the diplomatic profession, complete with a useful glossary and bibliography . . . this volume should be of interest to the general reading public, aspiring diplomats and practicing FSOs alike.

Career Diplomacy may not be required reading for experienced foreign affairs professionals or jaded FSO insiders. As an introduction to the profession for the layperson or for anyone considering a commitment to the Foreign Service career, however, the book is authoritative, complete and indispensable. For the rest of us, it's a delight, a stylishly told reminder of who we are, what we do and where we may be heading.

The best description of life in the foreign service—its challenges, dangers, satisfactions, and fun—I have ever seen. It paints a superb picture of life abroad and at home, including both its good and bad aspects, and does a brilliant job of pointing out how our diplomacy must change if it is to meet the tremendous changes and challenges of the twenty-first century.

Career Diplomacy is a fascinating and readable book about one of America's lesser known assets—the diplomatic service. As Ambassador, I recognized how critical these foreign service people are to America's place in the world. This tells that story.

A clear, unvarnished look at life in the United States Foreign Service, what works, and what doesn't. Career Diplomacy should be must reading for every foreign service officer—and everyone else who represents our country overseas.

Frank, incisive, and a good read, this book told me many things I never really understood about the foreign service. I don’t know how we got along without it.

This book is a gem, a one-stop shop for citizens, U.S. officials, foreign diplomats, and prospective American foreign service officers who want to understand how American diplomacy and foreign policy are organized and conducted. This carefully structured and well-written volume features rich and balanced insights into the foreign service, and sheds a clear light on its three core functions of representation, overseas operations, and policy. Essential reading on the culture and institutions of American diplomacy and on the ins and outs of working in a foreign service career.

Harry Kopp and Charles Gillespie have produced an insightful and comprehensive response to the questions, 'What is the foreign service and why do we need it?' This is a required read for anyone contemplating a career in the foreign service.

Career Diplomacy is an informative, entertaining, and inspirational read. Intended as a guide to the United States Foreign Service for the interested layman, the book is equally useful to individuals considering careers in the foreign service; to policy professionals who need to know how a critical component of government functions; or to citizens simply wanting to know how they are served by the professionals who represent them overseas, carry out foreign operations on the ground, and advise their government on foreign policy. Within ten crisply written chapters the authors illuminate the purposes, history, structure, and future of the foreign service. They do so with insight and charm, drawing heavily on the experiences of dozens of foreign service women and men. Reading this book will inspire young people to yearn for a foreign service career; will generate collegial confidence among policymakers in other government branches; and will assure citizens that their foreign service tax dollars are well spent.