Weapons of Mass Diplomacy

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Paris, 2002. Arthur Vlaminck, a young civil servant, lands an impressive first job as the speechwriter for Alexandre Taillard de Vorms, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Quai d'Orsay. Vorms is no simple man. A refined and driven intellectual, he loves Napoleon, frequently quotes classical poetry and philosophy - and if he bears more than a passing resemblance to the real Foreign Minister at the time, Dominique de Villepin . . . well, the authors couldn't possibly comment. As the imposing doors of politics and diplomacy swing open, Vlaminck is thrown into a world of large egos, high stress, and low cunning - and tasked with drafting France's response to agrowing international crisis in the Middle Eastfor de Vorm's mission to the United Nations. Spanning the run-up to aninvasion, we see in painful - and often hilarious - detail the inevitable clash between Gallic reluctance and American assurance over the case for Weapons of Mass Destruction - a period that seesFrench fries become "freedom fries" and a line fromThe Simpsonsabout "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" gain international currency. A tale of French diplomacy, Ancient Greek divinities, and the seemingly intractable problems of the Middle East,Weapons of Mass Diplomacy is an internationally bestselling, award-winning graphic novel that provides a profound, informed, and often very funny portrait of how "stuff happens" behind the closed doors of the Quai d'Orsay.

Reviews

"Were I in the front row of the White House press briefing room, I would ask spokesman Jay Carney one question above all others: 'Have you read Weapons of Mass Diplomacy, and if not, why not' It's that good--insightful, like a tall mirror reflecting truth, hung in the halls of power."--The Washington Post

Author Bio

Abel Lanzac, a pseudonym for Antonin Baudry, is a French diplomat. His career has been a hybrid of diplomatic and cultural enterprises. He worked as Technical Advisor and Director of International Cultural Affairs for former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Since 2010, he has been serving as Cultural Counselor for France in the US and Permanent Representative for French Universities in the US, working in the French Embassy's New York office. Christophe Blain is an artist and writer. His graphic novel series include Gus, Isaac the Pirate and The Speed Abater (all published by NBM). He has received numerous awards, including the 'Best Graphic Novel' award at Angoulme 2002 for the first volume of Isaac the Pirate, and again in 2013 for the second volume of Quai d'Orsay.