pickIn this timely memoir, Ambassador John Sullivan tells the story of his eventful tenure at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during a time of increasing tension, Covid lockdowns, diplomatic expulsions, and ultimately culminating in the invasion of Ukraine and the death of Sulivan's beloved wife, Grace. Sullivan is an engaging storyteller with an eye for the humorous moments in what could be a very sober recounting of a serious turning point in history.
pickAs US ambassador to Russia, Sullivan had a front row seat to the initial invasion of Ukraine and was also there in early COVID and Britney Griner‘s detention. Not only does he come across as a very reasonable guy, but he adds some history and his own experiences of the Russian people to make this a rich story. I was fascinated by this one and appreciated getting more of the story from a sort of insider.
so-so45/150 This was an interesting moment in American history, when the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the United States, toured the country, was welcomed by Hollywood stars and generally treated like a ally. The book is a bit repetitive, Khrushchev acts the buffoon, then loses his temper and throws a tantrum, apologizes and then it starts again at the next location visited. 3 ⭐⭐⭐💫
#two4tuesday
1. I have 3 possible options: (a) Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe; (b) Well That Didn‘t Go As Planned; or (c) Traveling Purposefully in a Vague Direction
2. I‘m not sure how I‘d define a life “well-lived” but Madeline Albright has certainly had an interesting life.
pickHilarious, heart-warming, inspiring, heart-breaking, chilling - all the things one might expect from the adventures of a group of people involved in the interplanetary diplomatic equivalent of shit detail. As this series shows, Scalzi does the banter well, is willing to sprinkle in some bad-ass-ery, doesn't shy from the awful cost of conflict, and always leaves room for hope. 1/2
Just completed the Foreign Service Officer Assessment today, a grueling conclusion to a grueling hiring process (technically it's not over, even if I did pass 😵💫). If all goes well the tagged book could be the title of my autobiography one day. 😀
