Great Power Diplomacy - The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger

A captivating history of diplomacy-and an urgent reminder of why we need to revive its lost arts to survive in a dangerous era of great power competitionFrom the beginning of time, human societies have found themselves confronted by enemies too numerous or ferocious to defeat solely by force of arms. In these dramatic moments, wise leaders have turned to diplomacy to rearrange the gameboard in their favor and stymie seemingly unstoppable foes. In Great Power Diplomacy, American historian and diplomat A. Wess Mitchell recounts the forgotten story of how history-s most legendary empires have used diplomacy as a tool of grand strategy to outwit, outmaneuver, and outlast militarily superior opponents. Through fifteen centuries of history, Great Power Diplomacy recreates the perilous junctures, colorful personalities, and intricate statecraft that led to some of history-s most stunning diplomatic achievements-and greatest disasters. The protagonists include giants like Richelieu, Metternich