Craft of diplomacy: mechanics and development of national representation overseas C.2

The 'craft' of diplomacy can be defined as the way in which a Diplomatic Service is run, the methods of deploying the talents of its members, and the system for recruiting and training them for effective duty over seas. Although there have been many books on the 'art' of diplomacy, studies of the 'craft' in recent years have been few, and directed to specialists only.
Sir Douglas's book bridges the gap between the professional interest of the diplomat and the concerned curiosity of the layman. He describes with clarity and instructive example the proper functioning of a Mission, outlining the duties (and difficulties) of Embassy and Consular officials. His analysis of the structural and personal problems that confront modern Diplomatic Services is accompanied by an appraisal of the ways in which the system of overseas representation has succeeded, or failed, in tackling these problems.

Taking the British Diplomatic Service as the 'working type', the author also draws on the experiences of other Services, notably the American. Throughout he is concerned to relate the needs of national representation overseas to the national capacity, in human and material resources, for meeting these needs. This makes his book an invaluable guide both for well established Diplomatic Services and for those that are being developed in newly independent countries.