Talking to Strangers: Improving American Diplomacy at Home and Abroad

Monteagle Stearns is a former career diplomat and ambassador who addresses an important question for those interested and involved in foreign affairs: "how well equipped, led, managed, and deployed" is the U.S. diplomatic apparatus today? In answering this question, Mr. Stearns presents the reader with an excellent assessment of the U.S. Foreign Service and its relationship both with the rest of the government and with other countries. In almost every chapter, I found myself thinking, "Yes, he's right on the money about that." His recommendations for change are well-reasoned and badly needed. It is unfortunate that policymakers have been slow in implementing useful change in the State Department and the Foreign Service. I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in becoming FSO's or those with an academic interest in policymaking and diplomacy.