Shawn Dorman

A very compphrehensive guide to working in foreign affairs or an embassy. They have sections about what people in Foreign affairs (generally) do, the types of jobs offered in foreign affairs, a day in the life of foreign services (this part is full of one-day journals of actual foriegn affairs officers), then a section titled "so you want to join the foriegn services?" which offers an indepth guide to setting yourself up for a career in Foriegn Services.
This is a must read for anyone going to into international diplomacy/politics. Very comprehensive with a lot of information.… (més)

This is the official FSO guide book – edited by Shawn Dorman but, in effect, written by 30 or so Foreign Service Officers in their own words. It gives a very good insight into the work of the United States State Department offices and embassies throughout the world and the stories – many in the a day in the life format - of the personnel as they perform their duties on our behalf.

The accounts range from the terrifying – coups and evacuations – to the Rats and Resources of the remoter outposts. They all fulfill the task identified by one Ambassador ” ..the Ambassadors and the teams that work for them have prevented coups, saved lives, and very substantially transformed some of the countries in which they have served”.

It is that sense of service that is clearly apparent in this fascinating book.… (més)

The Peace Corps publishes stories written by volunteers of country of service life. Usually the stories are well written and informative but the books are produced inexpensively, softbound with grainy black and white photos, and they're typically handed out free of charge at recruiting events to applicants. This book is very much the same thing but for the Foreign Service rather than the Peace Corps. In fact, about 5 years ago I believe this book was a freebie. No longer. Even so, I would still recommend this book if only to those who are applying for the Foreign Service or considering it as a career. It is a good companion piece to the more academic Career Diplomacy. Read this book for real life stories about a day in the life.… (més)