This memoir describes events and anecdotes from James Lowenstein’s long international career in government, the private sector, and foundations. It arose out of a wish by its subject to record for posterity some of the observations from his three decades in government service. These reminiscences would shed light on the many persons, institutions, or events with which he has been involved. He decided that his story was best told from an independent perspective by an author who could put that story in its broader historical context.

This book is based on professional research, including interviews with Lowenstein and several of his friends and colleagues, an examination of memoranda and other papers in his personal archive, a review of other published accounts (such as memoirs, oral histories, newspapers), and reading in the scholarly and other secondary literature on relevant themes in foreign affairs.

Lowenstein’s long career in foreign affairs reflects in miniature the contours of the American Century, when United States’ global leadership was at its zenith-mostly for good but sometimes for ill.