American Presidents in Diplomacy and War: Statecraft, Foreign Policy, and Leadership
By Thomas R. Parker
How do presidents successfully exercise American power abroad—and why do even capable leaders sometimes make consequential mistakes? In American Presidents in Diplomacy and War, Thomas R. Parker examines major foreign policy crises faced by 12 American presidents to identify recurring patterns of effective and ineffective statecraft.
Spanning the early republic through the modern era, Parker explores how presidents from George Washington to George H. W. Bush responded to complex international challenges. His case studies include Abraham Lincoln’s prudence, Franklin Roosevelt’s political skill, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger’s handling of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and George H. W. Bush’s determined leadership during the first Gulf War.
Parker also considers less successful decisions, examining how inexperience, uncertainty and an inability to balance caution with assertiveness can undermine foreign policy. Throughout the book, he argues that successful leaders understand complex situations, carefully evaluate their options, anticipate developments and adapt as events unfold.
Drawing on history and Parker’s three decades of experience in diplomatic and military affairs, American Presidents in Diplomacy and War offers timely lessons about presidential leadership, the uses and limits of national power and the continuing importance of effective statecraft.
Join us each month to discuss a pre-selected book presenting a foreign policy topic. First Wednesday of each month (12pm).
We are proud to partner with the Loudoun County Public Library who makes available multiple copies of this book for checkout at the Rust Library.