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This is a fascinating collection of essays compiled by the American Foreign Service Association. The book is divided into three parts: profiles of the different positions in a typical embassy; a collection of one-day journals from embassy staff members; and case-histories of exceptional events experienced by embassy personnel. Each of these two-page essays is written by an active or formerly active embassy staff person from all levels--ambassador to security guard including secretary and foreign service national. Included in the book are a world map of US embassies and consulates, a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations as well as a list of websites.

There are 23 profiles of the various embassy positions. The first, of course, is Ambassador, and then ranges down through Consul General, the various liaison officers and winds up with the Marine Security Guard. Each is written by a person actually occupying that post and thus gives a personal touch to the descriptions.

There are 17 of these. Each describes the writer's own typical day from dawn to dusk. Included are home and community as well as work-related activities. A common theme running through this part is that there is never a dull moment and that most of the people have a healthy sense of humor that accompanies them through the day!

This is the most interesting part of the book. Twenty-six essays describe the writer's personal recounting of an exceptional event which happened in the course of his or her "official" duties. These essays are witness to the dedication and the willingness to go beyond a mere following of the "book" in order to solve unforeseen problems as they arise and in many cases save lives, often in the face of considerable danger. Many of the events recounted were never reported in the press--but that does not diminish the merit of the actions involved.

What impressed me most about this book was the amazing diversity of our foreign service personnel. Staff members come from all walks of life--men and women of many national and cultural origins. Each has a different job to do but they all work together with total dedication.