I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, a time when it often felt as if the world was on the verge of chaos.

My father, a World War II veteran, was actively involved in the civil rights movement and stood firm against McCarthyism. This background shapes my perspective on this remarkable book.

Some might dismiss the influence of the elite "wise men" as old-fashioned cronyism. However, when considering the current situation, where leaders lack knowledge, training, and an understanding of the broader geopolitical landscape, and have egos that betray a total lack of preparation and awareness, I would eagerly welcome a return to the era of the wise men.

The wise men steered US and international foreign policy through some of the most arduous periods in our history. For the most part, they did so without excessive ego or a desire for financial gain. They were moderates, not dogmatic ideologues. They served both Republican and Democratic presidents. Their story serves as an inspiration in the struggle for an honorable government and a clear-sighted vision that emerges from the clash of ideas.

It seems that the roots of our present problems took hold as the era of the wise men came to an end and figures like Nixon, Haig, Kissinger, and Cheney filled the void. I am a great admirer of Isaacson and own most of his books. While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it could have been presented in a more concise manner.

An excellent review of American foreign policy in the 20th century is presented. It centers around key figures such as Harriman, Acheson, McCloy, Kennan, Lovett, and Bohlen. However, it also takes into account the presidents they served under, ranging from FDR to Reagan. Their mentors, Henry Stimson and George Marshall, are also considered, as well as their opponents, Josef Stalin and Joe McCarthy. This is a long read, but it remains consistently interesting throughout. Isaacson shows some preferences, for example, he criticizes Zbigniew Brzezinski for undermining Cy Vance while seemingly excusing Kissinger for his underhanded tactics. It's worth noting that he later wrote a biography of Kissinger, so perhaps he wanted to maintain a good relationship with him in this book.

This fascinating collective biography of such establishment figures as Dean Achison and George Kennan offers a wealth of historical knowledge. It takes readers on a journey through a significant period, from World War I all the way to the early 1980s.

The book provides detailed insights into the lives and careers of these influential individuals, shedding light on their roles and contributions during crucial times in history.

Although I listened to this book, I must admit that the narrator was rather annoying. However, this did not deter me from fully engaging with the content and learning from the historical accounts presented.

Overall, this collective biography is a valuable resource for anyone interested in history and the people who shaped it. It offers a comprehensive and engaging look at a significant period in our world's history.

A very, very long book indeed. It took me nearly 2 months to finish reading it. However, it is truly a remarkable book if one desires to understand how the United States transitioned from an isolationist nation before World War II to becoming Pax America. It涵盖了马歇尔计划对欧洲的重建，朝鲜战争和越南战争以及其间的全球事件。故事围绕着六位智者展开 - 艾夫里尔·哈里曼、迪安·艾奇逊、乔治·凯南、罗伯特·洛维特、约翰·麦克洛伊和查尔斯·波伦。我必须承认，除了凯南，我之前从未听说过其他人。但是，毫无疑问，他们塑造了他们所生活的世界。他们无私且忠诚，令人惊叹。

This book provides a detailed and in-depth exploration of this significant period in American history. It delves into the decisions, strategies, and actions of these six individuals, highlighting their crucial roles in shaping the course of events. Through their efforts, the United States emerged as a global superpower, with far-reaching implications for the world.

The author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make it easy to follow the complex web of events and understand the motivations and perspectives of the key players. It is not only a fascinating read but also a valuable source of knowledge for anyone interested in history, international relations, or the evolution of the United States.

Overall, this book is a must-read for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of how the world we live in today came to be. It offers a unique perspective on a critical period in history and showcases the remarkable contributions of these six wise men.

I purchased this book back in 1986 when it was first published. However, I never got around to reading it as I was rather hesitant about delving into a book that focused on the Groton/Yale crowd who had become the "Wise Men" of the U.S. foreign policy establishment. I simply had no interest in reading about the prep school/Ivy League world from which these men hailed. And, as anticipated, the book commenced with a comprehensive description of that very world.

Nonetheless, if one manages to persevere through the initial hundred pages, which are filled with accounts of crew races and polo games, then the reader is treated to an excellent perspective on how significantly this group of men contributed to shaping the foreign policy of the United States during the middle half of the 20th century. Familiar stories are retold, yet through the prism of the experiences of these men, whose names are widely known, but whose complete narratives are not typically fully explored.

The subject matter gives rise to several thought-provoking questions. Was it prudent to have a core of American foreign policy consisting of so many men with such similar backgrounds? Did these highly educated and affluent men serve the country better than those who currently occupy the upper echelons of power, whose motives are often self-serving and politically driven? Did these men play a role in creating the Cold War or did they formulate the strategy that led to its victory (or perhaps both)?

My only gripe with the book is that it has a tendency to gloss over certain events (such as the Bay of Pigs) where their influence was not as palpable, even though those events had a profound impact on subsequent foreign policy decisions and crises. The bottom line is that, for these men, their specific political party affiliation and that of the sitting President at the time were not as crucial as their dedication to serving their country. They truly embodied the quality of "civic virtue" that our Founders believed was essential for the success of the republic, and which appears to be in short supply in today's society.

This is truly one of the most remarkable books I have ever had the pleasure of reading in my entire life. Mr. Isaacson deserves our deepest gratitude for the extensive efforts, meticulous research, and arduous work he has dedicated to this book. The sheer volume of historical content within its pages is simply astonishing.

This book vividly showcases to the world that these six wise individuals, who selflessly served the government by sacrificing their highly lucrative jobs and prosperous businesses, serve as an exemplary model for future generations to emulate. In our often selfish world, it is indeed a challenging task to discover such precious gems. Their contribution to making America and the entire world a better and safer place to reside is incalculable.

Everyone should make it a point to read this book. During and after the Second World War, the world was perilously close to plunging into another global conflict, as we had to contend with the unpredictable and erratic Stalin. He was responsible for the deaths of approximately 30 million Russians. Fortunately, thanks to the wisdom and efforts of these remarkable men, we were able to significantly calm the maniac and prevent a potential catastrophe.

It is truly amazing to think that the "Big 3", namely FDR, Churchill, and Stalin, were largely just figureheads in the post-war planning of the globe, which still holds true for the most part today. However, the "nuts and bolts" that influenced this planning consisted of the six characters who are central to this book.

While the majority of the Wise Men and their proteges had connections from elite, east coast schools, others joined from less prestigious and even rural backgrounds. Despite the fact that all of the six main characters had their obvious flaws and weaknesses, it was the unique talents of each individual and the chemistry of them working towards common ideals that made them so effective.

Moreover, the massive amount of self-sacrifice put forth by these individuals shows just how immensely the "values" of "the greatest generation" have deviated, most notably since the Viet Nam conflict.

Although it was a fairly lengthy read and at times seemed rather arduous, it was definitely a worthwhile undertaking by the time the final paragraphs were reached.

This is a fascinating read by an author who has proven his worth time and time again.

Highly recommend!

Isaacson and Thomas have presented a captivating and well-researched book that defies easy categorization. It could be placed in the realms of biography, American history, Cold War history, or Presidential history.

The book is structured in an engaging manner, commencing with the childhood and early lives of the "Wise Men," who would go on to have a profound impact on some of the most momentous events in human history.

This is a narrative about the American elites, or "The Establishment." Given the passage of time and the advent of a new era, it is highly appropriate to assess these men and their contributions. Among them, Kennan was the one I was most acquainted with from my study of Russian history, and he is arguably the preeminent American expert on Russia. It seems that the authors are most critical of Kennan, though my perception may be influenced by my own biases. I was aware of Acheson and Harriman but not overly familiar with their lives, and knew even less about Bohlen, McCloy, and Lovett. Interestingly, McCloy was the only Wise Man not privileged from birth, and all of them were Ivy Leaguers, where they met each other and were introduced to Felix Frankfurter, who would guide them intellectually as a progressive ideologue, leading them to careers in the Roosevelt Administration.

The book weaves through the various roles these men played in American administrations, covering a wide range of events. It includes supporting the UK and USSR in their war efforts, coordinating those efforts once the US entered the war, guiding policy on the occupation of Germany and establishing a post-war international order, developing policy on working with the Soviet Union and later confronting it, supporting the rearmament of the American military to face the Soviets globally, helping to mitigate some of the blunders of the Kennedy Administration, and vacillating on supporting or opposing the Vietnam War, ultimately working to extricate the US when victory seemed unattainable and public support waned.

It is evident that Isaacson admires these men and the world they strived to create. However, I believe he fails to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts. Here, I must disclose my conservative bias. In essence, I think that for the most part, these men achieved very little in terms of implementing effective policy throughout their government careers. This may seem astonishing, but consider the following: Roosevelt, whose interests they advocated for, was no match for Stalin in international affairs, from the early days of US recognition of the USSR to the failed attempts to safeguard the freedom of the peoples in Eastern Europe. Their patrician defense of the web of Soviet spies within FDR's Administration also undermined sound policy by favoring compromise with the Soviets. This includes Establishment figures like Alger Hiss and Harry Dexter White, who were key in establishing the post-war order. This failure persisted under Truman, as they counseled him in the disasters that led to the loss of China and the Korean War. Isaacson, like many liberals, still contends that much of the Red Scare was fictitious political demagoguery rather than a serious threat to American democracy posed by traitors. Or, that MacArthur was an unhinged warmonger, when his record of service from Mexico, the World Wars, and the occupation of Japan is truly remarkable. Had Truman's political handlers been less concerned about MacArthur as a political threat, or the Wise Men about the escalation of the Korean War into a World War, we might not have North Korea as an adversary today. The same mentality of not escalating the war (hindering military operations for political reasons) also played a significant role in the failure to win in Vietnam.

Overall, this is an excellent companion book for those seeking a comprehensive history from a political and diplomatic perspective, spanning from the Second World War to the early Cold War. It is also a great choice for those who enjoy reading about the personalities who have shaped American politics or Presidential administrations. There is a diverse cast of characters, some playing a crucial role (such as Stimson, Forrestal, Marshall) and others who would have an impact later (like Kissinger, Brzezinski, Vance, Dulles). This book is also relevant for contemporary readers who question the bipartisan consensus on foreign policy, as in hindsight, the Establishment was not particularly effective in realizing their vision, whether during the Cold War, in securing the Peace Dividend, or in dealing with more recent international tensions. That being said, these men were undoubtedly patriots who placed the Presidency and the country above their own political views. I believe the detail and flow of the book overcome the mild apologia that Isaacson offers for the Wise Men, making it well worth the read.

I'll admit, this book was a tough read. The authors assume the reader has a fairly thorough knowledge of the events and chronology, which was not the case for me.

Despite those difficulties, I learned an enormous amount about The Cold War and how The Establishment navigated through crises.

Tracking the policy of Containment seems to be the best way to explain the impetus of events. Containment starts with Kennan's Long Telegram stating that a show of force will deter Soviet aggression. That idea is tested by various stand-offs in Berlin, Iran, Greece, and Turkey. The Korean War is a more aggressive stand, mostly because of General MacArthur's prominent role.

From that point of view, the logic of America's gradual increase of force in Vietnam seems sound. In the case of Vietnam, however, the pragmatic approach of cutting losses and finding a diplomatic solution was overridden by idealogues like Johnson and the Pentagon who wanted total victory.

I had no idea how big of a disaster Vietnam was. It was an unnecessary war that spiraled out of control.

This book has made me extremely interested in foreign policy today. No doubt the President's advisors are well-versed in the intricacies of the various crises in this book and use them as precedents for making their own judgments. At least I hope they do. It's fascinating how there are no hard and fast rules in diplomacy. Every decision is determined on a case-by-case basis. Personalities play a hugely important role in negotiations and relations. A single private conversation can potentially cause a war or make peace.

Great book. I got a little carried away in my review, but it's truly a captivating read that offers valuable insights into the complex world of international relations.

Fantastic!

This is a truly gripping portrayal of the crucial post-Cold War foreign policy establishment. It's fascinating to see how Isaacson and Thomas skillfully weave together the elements of friendship and policy.

It's always a pleasure to read a biography where Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower take on secondary roles, shining a light on the underbelly of US foreign policy during those tumultuous times.

The authors have done an excellent job of presenting a complex and often overlooked aspect of history in an engaging and accessible way.

Readers will be captivated by the detailed accounts and the insights into the minds and motives of those who shaped US foreign policy during this important period.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or international relations.

As a history of these extraordinary men and their times, the author once again distinguished himself. It is truly a rich reading experience that takes the readers on a captivating journey.

More than just that, I had the distinct feeling of having traveled back into my youth. In those days, the Cold War cast its baleful shadow over our lives, instilling fear and uncertainty. However, there were men of great erudition and an unwavering commitment to public service. They dedicated themselves to the task of keeping us safe, despite the numerous challenges and threats that loomed large. Their efforts and sacrifices were remarkable, and this book serves as a testament to their courage and determination.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or the human spirit. It offers a unique perspective on a tumultuous period in our world's history and highlights the importance of leadership and public service.

I've always been fascinated by the guys in the background.

These are the career foreign service officers or policy geeks who play a crucial role in maintaining consistency across different presidential administrations.

In this easy-to-read book, their stories are told.

No doubt, some of them, such as Lovett, Kennan, Bohlen, and McCloy, are virtually unknown to most people.

Others, like Acheson and Harriman, are well-known. Acheson was the Secretary of State, and Harriman was rich.

However, the stories behind the well-known names are really interesting.

Plus, I really like the way Isaacson writes.

His writing style makes the book engaging and accessible, allowing readers to easily understand the complex world of foreign policy and the people who shape it.

This book provides a unique perspective on the individuals who work behind the scenes to influence the nation's foreign affairs.

It offers valuable insights into their careers, their contributions, and the challenges they face.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in foreign policy or the people who make it happen.