Read Like a Diplomat

In This Section

Welcome to Read Like a Diplomat Week!

At AFSA, we’re spotlighting the books this week that shape the world of diplomacy, featuring authors from the Foreign Service community. Inspired by our annual roundup in our Foreign Service Journal, we’ve curated a special list of essential reads—both by and for diplomats.

This collection will expand your understanding of American diplomacy, both past and present, while sharpening your professional skills and offering inspiration through personal accounts from fellow diplomats. Whether you’re looking to deepen your craft, enhance your expertise, or be inspired, this is the place to find books that capture the heart of diplomacy and the people who practice it.

Not a diplomat but curious about the profession? Or perhaps you’re thinking about pursuing this unique career? We've got something for you too!

Join the conversation!

Share your own book recommendations and tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn using the hashtag #ReadLikeADiplomat.

Happy reading!

Book Week Picks by Theme

Professional Development

These are the reads for Foreign Service folks as well as anyone interested in honing their leadership, management, and other soft skills that are indispensable for a successful diplomatic career.

  • The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins. This is a book about succeeding in a career transition. It’s geared toward business leaders, but so much of it is relevant for our career, where you’re expected to hit the ground running and make an impact in your first weeks or months. This book helps you formulate a solid plan going in.
  • Radical Candor by Kim Scott, a former Apple and Google executive. It describes different ways of communicating and giving feedback, under the theme, “caring personally while challenging directly.” It’s about how we communicate, as much as what we communicate. And at embassies we are more than colleagues, so the “care personally” part is critical.
  • Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have all the Facts by Annie Duke. We are asked to make decisions on limited facts every single day. Duke is a former professional poker player, she teaches how to get comfortable with uncertainty and make thoughtful, objective decisions.

In Their Own Write

These are newly released books written by Foreign Service authors. Yes, members of the Foreign Service write more than just cables!

  • Silent Light by Mark Jacobs. He’s a diplomat, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and an award-winning author. In this novel, an American working on an oil platform in West Africa tracks a bag of diamonds across the Democratic Republic of Congo. A thrilling quest awaits.
  • High Value Targets: A Zach Turner Thriller by Michael T. Evanoff, former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. Fictional DS Agent Zach Turner investigates a devastating church bombing in Islamabad, uncovering unexpected twists along the way.
  • Queer Diplomacy: A Transgender Journey in the Foreign Service by Robyn McCutcheon. This memoir offers an unparalleled look at what it’s like to transition gender while serving overseas—an inspiring and groundbreaking story.

Diplomacy Decoded

This is our ultimate collection of must-reads about the art of diplomacy.

  • Inside a U.S. Embassy, edited by AFSA. This is your essential guide to the Foreign Service. This book takes the reader to more than 50 U.S. missions around the world, introducing Foreign Service professionals and providing detailed descriptions of their jobs and firsthand accounts of diplomacy in action.
  • Getting Russia Right, by Thomas Graham, a Russia expert and former Foreign Service Officer. The book traces the evolution of US-Russian relations from the beginning of the post-Soviet era until today, examining moves that have led to the current hostile relationship between the two nations.
  • The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal by William J. Burns. Burns, a career diplomat turned CIA Director, offers insights into the art and practice of diplomacy, drawing from his decades of experience. The book not only provides behind-the-scenes accounts of pivotal moments in global affairs but also makes a compelling case for why diplomacy matters now more than ever.

Your Recommendations

Below is our list of the best suggestions from our 2024 Book Week social media campaign.

  • Beloved Economies by Jess Rimington and Joanna Levitt Cea. This isn’t your typical economic manifesto. Drawing on research and real-world case studies, Rimington and Cea offer a revolutionary blueprint for creating more just, equitable, and sustainable economies. A must-read for those eager to rethink the systems shaping our world—and their own diplomatic work.
  • Diplomats: Real Stories from Real Diplomats—Experiences of Women Serving at U.S. Embassies Around the World by Alicia Ford. What’s it like to navigate international diplomacy as a woman? Ford delivers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of U.S. women diplomats balancing danger, cultural adaptation, love, and ambition across the globe. With stories that are equal parts inspiring and eye-opening, this book is a celebration of resilience and a must-read for anyone curious about the unique challenges and triumphs of women shaping international relations.
  • Lessons in Diplomacy by Leigh Turner. With wit and wisdom, Turner distills decades of experience into lessons for diplomats and global citizens alike. From navigating crises to mastering the art of persuasion, Turner’s anecdotes and insights are both practical and entertaining. Ideal for anyone curious about the inner workings of international relations.
  • Behind the White House Curtain by Steve Herman. Veteran Voice of America journalist and former AFSA Governing Board Member Steve Herman takes readers on an insider's journey through the halls of power in Washington, D.C. From dramatic policy decisions to candid moments with world leaders, this book is packed with revelations. A captivating read for diplomats and political enthusiasts craving a peek behind the scenes.

Links to Additional Foreign Service Reading Lists