Guardians of the Grail

A Life of Diplomacy on the Edge

By: Christopher Datta

Narrated by: Christopher Datta

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Chris Datta is a colleague, friend, and personal hero of mine. As a fellow foreign service officer, I've done some hard jobs, but nothing compared to Chris' service in the toughest, most dangerous places on earth.

Chris tells the story of one American FSO who believed in serving his country in very foreign lands. From the hilariously morbid bureaucracy of South India to the blood-soaked streets of Rwanda, to civil war in Liberia, and to the creation of a new country in South Sudan, this memoir should make us all shake our heads with wonder and pride at the sacrifices our diplomats make for America.

Thank you, Chris, for telling our story so well. Ambassador (Ret.) Tom Krajeski.

©2018 Christopher Datta (P)2018 Christopher Datta

Interesting Life Story

Very interesting to hear from someone in the life of diplomacy. Good listen.
I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

Better Than Expected

To be honest, this would probably not have been the most exciting read, but the narration makes all the difference. Its quite obvious the author has a sense of humor and is a little cynical and that really comes through in the narration. Having the author as the narrator helps in that regard. Some funny, and sometimes scary, stories of life in public service overseas, written and narrated by somewhat of a smarta**.
"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

Excellent book!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I've always been fascinated by the modern power brokering of international diplomacy. This is a great story about one man's work behind the scenes. His work in Liberia is especially interesting.

The narration is clear and easy to understand, and the narrator didn't get in the way of the story at all. All around, a well-told story.

Good book

Really interesting book about the author's diplomatic work around the world. Gave good insight into dictators and governance of some 3rd world countries. Only downside was author's pontifications on religion which he clearly has no understanding of or expertise in. Other than that, would recommend.

Didn’t know what I was in for with the cover

The cover is pretty bad all tings being said. But the story was interesting and kept me engage the way through

Basically about narrators experience as a diplomat in the state department

Unique and insightful new memoir

For those who love listening to memoirs and biographies, this one is special. Amazon is teaming with foreign service officer memoirs, but not Audible. Guardians of the Grail is the only one I found.

Datta tells about interesting times in Lebanon, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Dakar, Liberia and more. Some of it isn't for the squeamish, to be honest. But some parts are.

It was interesting for me to hear his explanations for how things worked on the ground, the unanticipated crises that revealed positions and concerns of interested parties. One has to be astute in this type of work, not to mention being able to operate in stressful environments.

His narration is good enough. He held my attention throughout, and his performance added insight.

What a ride!

I loved every minute of Chris’ story! He is a great storyteller and took me along with him. I am a world traveler and he made me want to join the diplomatic corps. I want to have a drink at Patty’s in Sierra Leone.