Ratings11
Average rating4.5
The book fails to deliver on the promise of the title, in my opinion. Rather than a history of modern American diplomacy, it is a series of vignettes, many of which relate to Farrow's work at State. While these are interesting, they gave the book a rather disjointed structure. Still, Farrow's experiences are fascinating and he is a gifted writer. I appreciated the number and quality of people he interviewed, including Rice, Clinton, Kerry, and (surprisingly) Tillerson. The book is well worth a read, but did not leave me hopeful for the future of American diplomacy.