Inside a U.S. Embassy: Diplomacy at Work, All-New Third Edition of the Essential Guide to the Foreign Service

Inside a US Embassy: Diplomacy at Work* by Shawn Dorman is an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in the inner workings of U.S. diplomacy. As someone preparing to become a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), I’ve found this book to be indispensable in understanding the day-to-day realities of life inside a U.S. embassy.The book is exceptionally well-organized, offering a comprehensive overview of various roles within the Foreign Service. From consular officers to political and economic sections, each chapter provides a clear, practical look at the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of working in these positions. The real-life anecdotes from current and former FSOs add depth and authenticity to the text, making it more than just a dry instructional manual.What sets this book apart is its accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned diplomat or someone just beginning to explore a career in foreign service, Dorman’s writing is both informative and engaging. The book demystifies complex processes and presents the information in a way that’s easy to digest, which is particularly helpful for those of us preparing for the rigorous selection process and eventual life overseas.In preparing for my FSO career, I’ve relied heavily on *Inside a US Embassy*. It has not only provided me with critical insights but also served as a guide to what I can expect in the field. The practical advice on everything from managing an embassy to navigating cultural differences has made me feel much more confident about the journey ahead.For anyone considering a career in diplomacy or simply interested in understanding how U.S. embassies function, this book is an essential read. It’s a comprehensive, insightful, and ultimately inspiring look at the world of U.S. foreign service. Five stars, without hesitation.

IF you're thinking about going into the Foreign Service, this book is a must read. It gives you the day to day account of what people actually "do" in the Foreign Service, taking away some of the "glamour" that is often associated with being an FSO.The book gives first hand accounts of what diplomats spend their days doing as well as giving an overview of the "career paths" within the FS and what one might expect going into it. This is not a book speaking to the overall importance or big picture of the state department, rather it is a book about the daily lives of working as a FSO. The articles are all generally positive towards the FS, but it still gives a fair account of what life might be like. It's important to read between the lines in some of the stories as these are diplomats and they know that what they write could effect their careers in the long-run. That being said, there are still some great insights in the book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking into the Foreign Service as a career or just wants to know what our diplomats do to represent the US overseas.

For those who have never been inside an Embassy, this book is complete.

Me encanta el libro. Es excelente ya que posee información de las diferentes agencias encargadas de las operaciones del servicio diplomático estadounidense. Habla sobre política, proyectos de desarrollo económico, cooperación internacional, derechos humanos, etc. Brinda testimonios y relatos cronológicos de los diversos actores del cuerpo diplomático. La tercera edición de abril de 2021 posee información para solicitar becas. Llego en buen estado y su interior (imágenes, mapas, etc.) es en blanco y negro.

Good

Anyone who considers a career in the Foreign Service should read this book. It describes the workings of embassies as well as the paths to follow if one is considering this role in service to the United States.

I am still very interested and excited about working at a US Embassy, this book has been hailed as a great way to get an idea of what working at one would really be like... This book is really skimpy on details and can be more accurately described as a commentary on how people are really impressed by embassy employees. Lots of first hand accounts of stories when embassy employees told someone where they worked and how impressed those people were... only every once in a while is there a story that actually includes details about a given position.

Not too much to say here. This book covers several positions in the US Embassies. If you are new to the embassy world, have a relative or friend working in one, or plan on going overseas for a prolonged period of time it is a great way to familiarize yourself with what is going on at our overseas embassies. Would make a good reference book for a book report or research paper. Another couple books worth checking out would be ,Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the US Foreign Service, Second EditionAndThe History of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the US Department of State