📖 Overview
John Brady Kiesling is a former U.S. diplomat who gained public attention in 2003 when he resigned from his post as Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Athens in protest of the Iraq War. His resignation letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell became widely circulated and was published in The New York Times.
After his diplomatic career, Kiesling established himself as an author and expert on Greek history and archaeology. His book "Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower" (2006) examines U.S. foreign policy and draws from his two decades of diplomatic service.
Kiesling's work "Greek Urban Warriors: Resistance and Terrorism 1967-2014" (2014) provides detailed analysis of political violence and terrorist movements in modern Greece. He has maintained connections to Greece through academic work and continues to contribute to discussions on Greek politics and society.
Based in Athens, Kiesling shares his expertise through writing and occasional speaking engagements on topics including diplomacy, Greek history, and international relations. His background combines practical diplomatic experience with scholarly research, particularly focused on Greek political movements and archaeological studies.
👀 Reviews
Limited reader reviews exist online for John Brady Kiesling's works. His book "Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower" (2006) has only 6 ratings on Goodreads with an average of 3.83/5 stars.
Readers appreciated his insider perspective as a former US diplomat and his analysis of US foreign policy challenges. One reader noted his "valuable insights into how diplomacy actually works" and another highlighted his "candid assessment of diplomatic failures."
Criticism focused on the book's academic tone and dense policy discussions. A reviewer on Amazon mentioned it "can be dry at times" and "requires prior knowledge of international relations concepts."
His more recent book "Greek Urban Warriors" (2014) has minimal online reviews or ratings available.
Amazon: 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Goodreads: 3.83/5 (6 ratings)
Library Thing: No ratings
Google Books: No reviews
📚 Books by John Brady Kiesling
Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower (2006)
Drawing from his experience as a US Foreign Service Officer, Kiesling examines American foreign policy and advocates for a more pragmatic diplomatic approach.
Greek Urban Warriors: Resistance and Terrorism 1967-2014 (2014) A detailed historical analysis of political violence and terrorist organizations in modern Greece, focusing on the rise and activities of revolutionary groups.
Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set (2000) A comprehensive guide documenting Armenian archaeological sites, monuments, and cultural landmarks, co-authored with Hovann H. Simonian.
Greek Urban Warriors: Resistance and Terrorism 1967-2014 (2014) A detailed historical analysis of political violence and terrorist organizations in modern Greece, focusing on the rise and activities of revolutionary groups.
Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set (2000) A comprehensive guide documenting Armenian archaeological sites, monuments, and cultural landmarks, co-authored with Hovann H. Simonian.