Sumner Welles

Sumner Welles (1892-1961) served as U.S. Under Secretary of State from 1937-1943 and authored several influential works on foreign policy and international relations during the World War II era. His most significant books include The Time for Decision (1944) and Seven Decisions That Shaped History (1951), which provided firsthand accounts of American diplomatic efforts during crucial periods of the 20th century. As a diplomat and writer, Welles was known for his advocacy of non-interventionism before World War II and his subsequent support for the creation of the United Nations. His diplomatic mission to Europe in 1940, known as the Welles Mission, attempted to negotiate peace between the warring powers and was later documented in his writings. Welles's writing style combined political analysis with personal observations from his years of diplomatic service. His works were particularly valued for their insider perspective on major historical events and policy decisions, including the implementation of the Good Neighbor Policy toward Latin America and early U.S. involvement in World War II. In addition to his published works, Welles produced numerous diplomatic papers and memoranda that continue to serve as primary source materials for historians studying American foreign relations. His fall from political grace in 1943 led him to focus more intensively on writing, resulting in several books that offered critical analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.

Sumner Welles' works are not widely reviewed online, with only a small number of reader ratings available. His 1946 book "Where Are We Heading?" averages 4.0 stars on Goodreads across 5 ratings, while "The Time for Decision" (1944) has 3 ratings. Readers appreciate his insider perspective on foreign policy as a former U.S. Under Secretary of State, with several noting the historical value of his firsthand accounts. One reader praised his "clear analysis of international relations in the 1940s." Common criticisms include dense diplomatic language and a writing style that can feel dated. A Goodreads review notes "the prose is very much of its time period." Available ratings: Goodreads: - Where Are We Heading? - 4.0/5 (5 ratings) - The Time for Decision - 3.67/5 (3 ratings) - Seven Decisions That Shaped History - 4.0/5 (2 ratings) Amazon and other major review sites have insufficient data to form meaningful rating averages.

The Time for Decision (1944) Analysis of World War II diplomatic relations and a proposed framework for post-war international cooperation.

Where Are We Heading? (1946) Examination of American foreign policy during the early Cold War period and assessment of U.S.-Soviet relations.

Seven Decisions That Shaped History (1951) Study of crucial diplomatic decisions made between 1937 and 1945 that influenced the course of World War II and its aftermath.

Naboth's Vineyard: The Dominican Republic 1844-1924 (1928) Historical account of Dominican Republic's political development and U.S. intervention in the Caribbean nation.

An Intelligent American's Guide to the Peace (1945) Detailed analysis of post-World War II international challenges and proposals for maintaining global peace.

We Need Not Fail (1948) Discussion of the Palestine question and potential solutions to the Arab-Israeli conflict.