Fighting for peace

A seasoned diplomat looks back on the turbulent years of the Great War, offering a series of vivid sketches that blend personal anecdotes with sharp cultural observations. Through brisk, almost conversational chapters—ranging from an allegorical “apologue” to a tense dialogue between a householder and a burglar—he reveals the hidden currents of diplomacy, the awkward humor of bureaucratic life, and the relentless search for a lasting peace.

The narrative is peppered with the era’s colorful vocabulary, from “poilus” and “werwolf” to “schrecklichkeit,” inviting listeners into a world where formal protocol meets the raw reality of conflict. While the author admits he’s never lived a secret‑agent’s thriller, his candid reflections on negotiation, moral dilemmas, and the stubborn optimism of free peoples make the book feel like a thoughtful, if sometimes wry, companion to the history of 1914‑1918.