Raves & Reviews

“An important and illuminating read.”

—Washington Post review by Eliot A. Cohen, former State Department counselor and dean, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies 

“Richter provides a gripping, wistful, and ultimately inspiring portrait of the courage, patriotism, skill, and wisdom of America’s finest diplomats at a difficult hour for our country and profession.”

—Ambassador William J. Burns (ret.), former deputy secretary of state and president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“The book captures an era in which Middle East policy was carried out by a robustly-staffed diplomatic corps who may not had have all the answers but were able to discern, better than most, ‘which of Washington’s decisions brought progress and which led to disaster.’ ”

—The New Yorker

“Finally, a book that captures the incredible courage, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism of the unsung heroes of the war on terrorism.  Ambassadors, Crocker, Patterson, Ford and Stevens represent the very finest of the diplomatic corps and more importantly, of America.  Paul Richter has brilliantly portrayed these remarkable icons of the Foreign Service and their contribution to the Post 9/11 world.  A must-read for anyone interested in U.S. foreign policy and what it takes to be an American hero!”

—Adm. William H. McRaven (retired), former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and overseer of the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

“Richter embeds the stories of the four diplomats in a broader narrative that follows floundering U.S. policies in the Middle East. His book is at once inspiring, infuriating, and, as a chronicle of U.S. involvement in the region, deeply sad.”  — Jessica T. Mathews, Foreign Affairs magazine. 

—Jessica T. Mathews, Foreign Affairs magazine. 

“Paul Richter takes you on an enthralling ride through the dramatic and dangerous world of diplomacy. From the halls of the State Department to the chaos of faraway consulates we meet some of America’s most talented diplomats. The Ambassadors is a story of courage and dedication during some of the most challenging and deadly times in our nation’s history. Grab it fast and dive in.”

—Martha J. Raddatz, chief global affairs correspondent for ABC News and best-selling author of “The Long Road Home.”

“A compelling and poignant glimpse at an often-overlooked and misunderstood profession…easily digestible and meticulously researched.”

—Foreign Policy magazine

“Superb … I hope everyone who is not familiar with the ways of Washington reads The Ambassadors…”

—Ambassador Gordon Gray (ret.) in the Foreign Service Journal 

“Paul Richter has done Americans a great service in reminding us of the need for a skilled, non-partisan career Ambassadorial corps at a dangerous moment in our history.  “The Ambassadors” is a clarion call for the revival of the American Foreign Service gutted by the Trump Administration.”

—Ambassador Nicholas Burns (ret,) former under secretary of state and professor, Harvard University

“Part intriguing spy story, gripping war story and compassionate love story, the book brings the reader right into the action…This book needed to be written, especially in this time when diplomatic peacemakers are mocked, their opinions are ignored, and their accomplishments are not well known. Paul Richter has brought them from the shadows to the main stage so everyone can hear their remarkable story.”

—Robert N. Macomber, New York Journal of Books

“An intriguing look at U.S. diplomats in the greater Middle East…and their admirable, often inspiring efforts to do their best in the most trying circumstances. [J. Christopher Stevens] paid the ultimate price for his service, and Richter’s depiction of his demise is both captivating and heartbreaking. “There are no ticker tape parades for diplomats,” a State Department official once said. This book gives them the recognition they deserve.”

—Kirkus