First published 1988
Richard Holbrooke stands in his embassy office as reports flood in from across East Asia. Political systems crack under pressure while economic forces reshape entire societies. Holbrooke must balance American interests against rapidly changing realities on the ground. From Seoul to Manila, he witnesses governments fall and new powers rise. Each decision carries consequences that ripple across the Pacific. His cables to Washington grow more urgent as traditional alliances strain and unexpected partnerships form. The veteran diplomat discovers that his decades of experience may not prepare him for this moment of transformation. At stake is not just American influence but the stability of nations home to hundreds of millions. Holbrooke faces choices that will define his career and shape the future of a region caught between its past and an uncertain tomorrow.
Genres: history, international-relations, 20th-century, 21st-century, current-affairs, asian-american, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: career-defining-moment, fish-out-of-water
Setting: East Asia, Seoul, Manila, Washington
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
80 pages · Paperback · Trilateral Commission