Description:
Is a diplomat's life really as glamorous as a royal visit, or as dramatic as a coup d'état in Turkey?
Leigh Turner is a former British ambassador who held posts in Ukraine, Turkey and Austria. In this witty globe-trotting adventure through one of the most intriguing careers a person can have, Leigh relates his interactions with royalty of both the aristocratic and celebrity kinds, and with brilliant and extraordinary people who bestowed valuable lessons. Offering astute reflections on Brexit, Russia's war with Ukraine and the chaos of modern politics, he sheds new light on the intricacies of modern statecraft, including what we all can learn from a good diplomat or ambassador.
In this entertaining and accessible first-hand account, you'll discover how diplomats really work with spies, how immunity allows killers to escape justice, how Russia broke up the Soviet Union and then nursed its resentment at the consequences -- and how to throw, and be invited to, a great cocktail party.
Review Quotes:
"There are diplomats for whom the word 'luck' means quiet work in a calm country. Leigh Turner's diplomatic career can be called successful from the opposite point of view. He was lucky to regularly find himself in the middle of crisis situations with poorly predictable endings. This book is not only a fascinating read, but also a valuable source for understanding the recent past in world politics." Andrey Kurkov, novelist
"Vivid and delightful...a host of excellent insights....an astute and insightful appraisal of modern diplomacy" Inside Out, the magazine of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Association.
"If you would like to know what diplomats do, how they do it, and why their work still matters, read this entertaining and informative book. [It] combines perceptive analysis of the big picture, based on first hand personal experience, working with members of the royal family and senior Ministers, with advice for those embarking on a diplomatic career." ABICS Newsletter
"Full of lessons about what matters: crisis preparedness, languages, and to reflect upon one's own behaviour and thoughts after a crisis" Evelyn van Kleef, Process and implementation analyst and designer
"A handbook for navigating high-stakes situations, filled with sharp observations, humour and real-life lessons drawn from years on the global stage. A must-read for anyone interested in diplomacy, international affairs, or mastering the art of calm under pressure!" Nneka Nwagwu, LLB (Hons) Graduate MSc Diplomacy and International Security
"A gifted writer, Leigh Turner has provided a vivid account of his impressive diplomatic career in the service of the Foreign Office." Oliver Rathkolb, Universität Wien
"An engagingly self-deprecating, witty and well-written collection of diplomatic tips and tales." Nicola Brewer DCMG, former British diplomat
"Diplomats are all hopeless, you'd be mad to do it.' Having ignored this advice, Leigh Turner now unpacks, with a huge dose of British humour, what diplomats can make out of hopelessness." Ulrike Guérot, Founder and Director of the European Democracy Lab, Berlin
"Lessons in Diplomacy was a huge inspiration to study in one of the most renowned international hubs in the world. [The] emphasis on continuing to be curious about other cultures, languages, histories and people really struck a chord." Grace Carey, MSc student in digital international affairs