The Wise Men by Walter Isaacson

Favorite Quote

“In their time, they operated largely behind the scenes, little known by the public. But they achieved great things: the shaping of a world order; the creation of international institutions; the forging of a lasting peace in a perilous time.” — Walter Isaacson

The Book in One Sentence

The Wise Men is part biography, part gripping historic tale, telling the stories of six key, underrated, often behind-the-scenes statesmen who decisively contributed to America’s prosperity post-WWII both as individuals and through their interconnected actions.

Why should you read it?

If you like stories about unsung heroes and underrated personalities that, for some reason or other, ended up mostly behind the scenes where others took the credit, this book is for you. It’s a fascinating door into the world of the elites, but also into what they struggle with, and how they try to ethically and nobly navigate an environment that often wants to seduce them into corruption. Plus, it’s a great behind-the-scenes look of America during the Cold War, and how some of the policies that still heavily influence its strategical direction today came into being back then.

Key Takeaways

1. Like people, nation’s make decisions on a case-by-case basis — it’s just that the process is even more chaotic than in humans.
2. Leaders should hold their governments accountable, push them to act honorably, and demand clear perspectives after the inevitable clashes of ideas.
3. It’s important to think hard about policy, draw fine distinctions, and not over-simplify foreign guidelines.