Uncommon Company

Dissidents and Diplomats, Enemies and Artists

De: William H. Luers

Narrado por: David Colacci

In his revelatory memoir Uncommon Company, William Luers shares stories of his incredible career as a US diplomat to European and Latin American nations, where he introduced art and culture to forge common ground and community, improving the lives of citizens in many countries closed to Western ideas. From touring the Soviet Union with playwright Edward Albee in the 1960s to bringing such famous writers and artists as John Updike, Arthur Miller, William Styron, Peter Matthiessen, Francine du Plessix Gray, Richard Diebenkorn, and Frank Stella to Venezuela and Prague during his ambassadorships in Venezuela and Czechoslovakia, Bill Luers's practice of cultural diplomacy became known as his ability to wield "soft power" that strengthened US relationships wherever he served.

After more than thirty years with the State Department, Luers brought his art expertise to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as its president, where he secured the Annenberg Collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by such masters as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Cézanne, among many other accomplishments.

Uplifting and inspirational, William Luers's Uncommon Company is the true story of a life well lived, celebrating the challenges and triumphs found in the virtues of being a servant leader.

©2024 William H. Luers (P)2024 Ascent Audio

An amazing insight into foreign service, both officially and as a private individual

I especially enjoyed the sections about Mr Luers’ time in the Soviet Sphere, however I was just as enthralled when he went into his time working with NGOs in a post Cold War world. Impressive writing and storytelling, and the narrator was very clear and seemed to match the tone well.

What a life!

A genuine person recounting a genuine life!
A public servant through and through. A great behind the account look into many historic events.