Present at the Creation: My Years at the State Department Book

Excruciating details and long descriptions almost prevent this book from rating five stars. The details and care are so rich, and the events described so important to understanding the development of the US foreign policy in the post-world-war II era, that they outweigh the heft of this book.

Occasionally, Acheson's wry observations of personality conflicts, bureaucratic infighting, diplomatic negotiations, and executive branch engagement with congressional leaders delightfully entertain and educate. One quote from the book mirrors my own experience in bureaucracy well: "I have long been the advocate of the heretical view that, whatever political scientists might say, policy in this country is made, as often as not, by the necessity of finding something to say for an important figure committed to speak without a prearranged subject." They provide a nice balance to the historical details that can sometimes weigh down the book.

This is an historical record of one of the major players of the cold war. I highly recommend the book for anyone interested in this time period.