Power and Peace: The Diplomacy of John Foster Dulles

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John Foster Dulles' reputation among diplomatic historians has been at a low ebb for many years. The fact that it is only now beginning to show signs of recovery is surprising, considering that his modus operandi, coupled with a public style that concealed as much as it revealed, enabled him to gain the respect of hundreds of overseas officials, including those of the USSR. The cutting edge of an extraordinarily subtle and complex mind made it possible for him to lead the United States through eight years of unparallelled peace and prosperity. Nevertheless, the strategy and tactics behind such a record have escaped notice, especially in acedemia, where he is still subject to varying degrees of caricature. Not since 1973 has any full-length study dealt in any comprehensive way with Dulles as Secretary of State, even although a steady stream of fresh source material has become available during the interim. "Power and Peace" offers an analysis of Dulles' operational plan across the board. It also uncovers a type of linkage between different issues in different parts of the world. Beyond this, on the basis of research notable for breadth as well as depth in key areas, it differentiates Dulles from Eisenhower, showing that, contrary to conventional wisdom, it was the former who generally took the lead in policy matters. It indicates that Dulles was capable of weighing in heavily on the side of non-intervention and hence was no more of a "hawk" than Ike. It also unveils important differences of opinion separating the secretary from his boss. Professor Marks presents some of the most crucial episodes in an entirely new light - for instance, the Dien Bien Phu crisis, Western European union, intervention in Guatemala, and Dulles' indispensible work on behalf of Austrian freedom, work that has yet, the author argues, to receive even minimal recognition. Finally, Marks explores the itnellectual side of the secretary, something once again neglected but nevertheless essential, since Dulles, of all American statesmen next to John Quincey Adams, was a thinker. Marks puts the case that, far from being the pesonification of the Cold War metality, as he is so often portrayed on the basis of his rhetoric, Dulles was eminently flexible behind the scenes and about as pragmatic as it was possible to be at a time of rampant McCarthyism. Working alongside Eisenhower, he inaugurated the first era of Soviet-American detente: and it is in this light, Marks argues, that Dulles is best understood, as well as most worthy of remembrance.

Reviews

Continuing in the tradition of scholars like Fred Greenstein and others who have reexamined the stereotype images of the Eisenhower years. Marks has produced a monumental revision of the view of John Foster Dulles, Ike's Secretary of State, as inflexible ideologue. Through extensive combing of biographies of key figures of the Dulles era, Marks finds a professional diplomate whose behind-the-scenes pragmatism and willingness to compromise belied his Cold Warrior rhetoric. Dulles the hawk is transformed via extensive primary and secondary sources that include interviews with Dulles relatives, into Dulles the dove. Marks also provides insights into the psychological makeup of the man who presided over Foggy Bottom, leading readers to conclude that Dulles worked hard to rein in a bellicose president intent upon saber-rattling. Essential for all good academic and larger public libraries.-Library Journal
Marks' synthesis of a mine of historiography is skillful. Recommended for the advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty.-Choice
The book provides a very good point of departure for a fresh debate on the subject.-International Studies
This is a wonderful book for those of us who grew up with the one-dimensional view of John Foster Dulles as hard-line secretary of state and author of brinksmanship and massive retaliation. Frederick Marks writes to redress the long-standing imbalance of historical works dealing with this period and this man--and does a fine job. This is a welcome addition to the fields of diplomatic history and international relations. Marks has not only given the character of John Foster Dulles new life, but has also provided students of history a new perspective with which to read this period of time. Marks has given breadth to a previously narrowly interpreted period of the cold war.-The Register
"Marks' synthesis of a mine of historiography is skillful. Recommended for the advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty."-Choice
"The book provides a very good point of departure for a fresh debate on the subject."-International Studies
"This is a wonderful book for those of us who grew up with the one-dimensional view of John Foster Dulles as hard-line secretary of state and author of brinksmanship and massive retaliation. Frederick Marks writes to redress the long-standing imbalance of historical works dealing with this period and this man--and does a fine job. This is a welcome addition to the fields of diplomatic history and international relations. Marks has not only given the character of John Foster Dulles new life, but has also provided students of history a new perspective with which to read this period of time. Marks has given breadth to a previously narrowly interpreted period of the cold war."-The Register
"Continuing in the tradition of scholars like Fred Greenstein and others who have reexamined the stereotype images of the Eisenhower years. Marks has produced a monumental revision of the view of John Foster Dulles, Ike's Secretary of State, as inflexible ideologue. Through extensive combing of biographies of key figures of the Dulles era, Marks finds a professional diplomate whose behind-the-scenes pragmatism and willingness to compromise belied his Cold Warrior rhetoric. Dulles the hawk is transformed via extensive primary and secondary sources that include interviews with Dulles relatives, into Dulles the dove. Marks also provides insights into the psychological makeup of the man who presided over Foggy Bottom, leading readers to conclude that Dulles worked hard to rein in a bellicose president intent upon saber-rattling. Essential for all good academic and larger public libraries."-Library Journal

Author Bio

FREDERICK W. MARKS III has taught at Purdue and St. John's Universities. In addition to lecturing widely on the subject of diplomatic history, he has published over a dozen articles in scholarly journals both at home and abroad. He is also the author of three previous books: Independence on Trial: Foreign Affairs and the Making of the Constitution, Velvet on Iron: The Diplomacy of Theodore Roosevelt and Wind over Sand: The Diplomacy of Franklin Roosevelt.