War on Peace

The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence

By: Ronan Farrow

Narrated by: Ronan Farrow

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A harrowing exploration of the collapse of American diplomacy and the abdication of global leadership.

American diplomacy is under siege. Offices across the State Department sit empty while abroad, the military-industrial complex has assumed the work once undertaken by peacemakers. We're becoming a nation that shoots first and asks questions later.

In an astonishing account ranging from Washington, DC, to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea in the years since 9/11, acclaimed journalist and former diplomat Ronan Farrow illuminates one of the most consequential and poorly understood changes in American history. His firsthand experience in the State Department affords a personal look at some of the last standard-bearers of traditional statecraft, including Richard Holbrooke, who made peace in Bosnia and died while trying to do so in Afghanistan. Farrow's narrative is richly informed by interviews with whistle-blowers, policymakers, and a warlord, from Henry Kissinger to Hillary Clinton. Diplomacy, Farrow argues, has declined after decades of political cowardice, shortsightedness, and outright malice - but it may just offer America a way out of a world at war.

©2018 Ronan Farrow (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Well Timed and Authoritative:

The conclusions of this well written and meticulously researched book are hard to dismiss as “fake news.”

Farrow writes to all audiences, and the interviews offer something new about each party.

America has always been served by many tools in the “toolbox” with diplomacy ranking among the most effective. Farrow provides convincing evidence of why losing this capability only serves our enemies.

This book is everything!

A deep dive into the complex importance of the state department and the potential consequences that we are all sure to suffer if this institution continues to be neglected and stripped.

Farrown does it again

With an inside look at the workings of US diplomats around the world, Ronan gives a unique perspective of the history, his time in, and the current state of those who have dedicated their lives to the State Department.

Really important stuff.

... And very well written, of course. Thank you again, Mr. Farrow. Tells many stories of how we got here.

Absolutely current analysis of U.S. diplomacy

I heard Ronan Farrow on public radio and decided to read his book. Fascinating view from Farrow's ten year involvement in the U.S. State Department, both within (as a junior member of Richard Holbrooke's crew) and without (as a journalist). His own narration gives it more immediate impact. Well done.

Great explanation of the failure of diplomacy

Ronan Farrow makes a good case for doing more diplomacy and less militarying. He is balanced and incisive and the story moves well very interesting read (listen)

Eye-opening, compelling, believable

Mr. Farrow does it again. This well crafted work provides critical insight into America's diminished diplomatic role in world affairs.

A look into the loss of diplomacy...

It's a fairly unbiased look into how America's diplomacy was slowly replaced with a more militaristic mindset further perpetuated by our current presidency (as of 2018-06-02). The issues stretch back through every presidency until at least the mid-to-late 20th Century.

While we are occupied with our problems here at home in the US, one has to be reminded of the countries we interact with and understand that not every solution to conflict is war.

Picky listeners may not appreciate Ronan's voice, but I was engrossed throughout.

Brilliant Book by Brilliant young Writer

This is beautifully done with fascinating factual information wrapped into compelling stories. All that in addition to being a cautionary tale of shrunken diplomacy’s threat to peace.

So, so good. Must listen for history and current affair buffs

Ronan Farrow is truly shaping up to be
one of the best non-fiction writers of our time. This book was riveting - has the movie been optioned yet?? Because this title is certainly as interesting as any of Aaron Sorkin’s screenplays. String recommend.