jjares reviewed History Shock: When History Collides with Foreign Relations on + 3308 more book reviews
Mr. Dickson served in the US Foreign Service in several difficult countries over his tenure of some twenty-six years. As a result, he has a fascinating perspective. In a nutshell, his view is that America is shortsighted and does not sufficiently understand the culture and attitudes in the countries where it has embassies and consulates. I hasten to admit he is correct. The author cites various examples to prove his point of view.
The author served in Canada, Mexico, Peru, and other countries. He learned quickly that the foreign countries where he served often had a very different view of their shared history with America -- often to our detriment. And he is right. Americans usually have different viewpoints on past conflicts. America usually doesn't remember the animosity engineered by past altercations. However, the author promises that other countries remember those conflicts as if they happened yesterday. It is something that a foreign service professional must be constantly aware of -- or be pulled up short by the other country.
I saw this as a strong incentive for our State Department to thoroughly train operatives in the history, culture, and past conflicts before sending officers to a new assignment. Instead, from how the author spoke, the recent charges were just dropped on the officer, with little training or understanding of the country where he is now posted.
As long as the author talked about his assignments and what he learned, this was engaging reading. However, the author couldn't keep his politics out of the tale, which ruined the book for me. There are ways of mentioning events without indicating personal political preferences, which this author didn't do.
The author served in Canada, Mexico, Peru, and other countries. He learned quickly that the foreign countries where he served often had a very different view of their shared history with America -- often to our detriment. And he is right. Americans usually have different viewpoints on past conflicts. America usually doesn't remember the animosity engineered by past altercations. However, the author promises that other countries remember those conflicts as if they happened yesterday. It is something that a foreign service professional must be constantly aware of -- or be pulled up short by the other country.
I saw this as a strong incentive for our State Department to thoroughly train operatives in the history, culture, and past conflicts before sending officers to a new assignment. Instead, from how the author spoke, the recent charges were just dropped on the officer, with little training or understanding of the country where he is now posted.
As long as the author talked about his assignments and what he learned, this was engaging reading. However, the author couldn't keep his politics out of the tale, which ruined the book for me. There are ways of mentioning events without indicating personal political preferences, which this author didn't do.
