Cover Image: Lessons From The Edge

Lessons From The Edge

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Member Reviews

Yovanovitch's memoir was so interesting. I feel like I have a very rudimentary understanding of the State Department and foreign service officers, but am very interested in both travel and foreign policy. This memoir really explained the balance and finesse that is involved in being a diplomat or ambassador and being supportive when appropriate, building relationships, and holding individuals accountable. Learning a bit more about how foreign service officers are seen abroad really helped me to understand how negatively the undermining of an ambassador can impact our relationships with other countries. Yovanovitch is a strong individual who held to her ethics. Glad I was able to learn a bit more about her and her interesting life.

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No better time to read this book than now. It taught me a lot but mainly it taught me how little every day Americans know what happens overseas and how much work it takes to understand international relations as a whole.

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I’m sure Ms Yovanovitch never expected to become a recognized name or face by cable tv table viewers and I surely never expected to be so excited to read a book by the former US Ambassador to UKraine. Such is trump world and all the lives he disrupted, disrespected and destroyed. A fascinating and thoughtful read, I am so glad I was able to give this five stars.

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What a fabulous memoir! Marie Yovanovitch is a modern day hero. She is brilliant and brave, courageous and unapologetic, dignified and honest. As I read this book, I kept thinking about that question: “If you could sit down with any person in history, who would it be?” For me, this book cemented my choice as Marie Yovanovitch. Simply amazing. I will definitely be picking up the hardcover for my personal library.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

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What an extraordinary story. I felt how much Ms. Yovanovitch loved her job, the people, and her country. She was tested hideously by the Trump administration. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

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Who would imagine that a self-described over-thinking female, a "goody-two-shoes" who always followed the rules and lacked self-confidence would have the makings of a successful U.S. Ambassador? And yet, it was with those qualities, along with her high intelligence, unceasing patriotism and loyalty, and keen instinct, that Maria Yovanovitch represented U.S. interests successfully in some of the most challenging places: Somalia, London, Armenia, and more, ending her ambassadorial career when then-President Trump recalled her in 2019. In her fascinating memoir, Yovanovitch recounts the details of her career, providing us with insights into the skill and personal sacrifices required by public servants such as she. I was gripped by her recounting of the details surrounding her recall and her subsequent Congressional testimonies. Lessons From the Edge is especially timely now as we watch the horrors of the Russian assault on Ukraine. Highly recommended.

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