The Back Channel

A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal

By: William J. Burns

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, William J. Burns

“A masterful diplomatic memoir” (The Washington Post) from Joe Biden’s nominee for CIA director, a career ambassador who served five presidents and 10 secretaries of state — an impassioned argument for the enduring value of diplomacy in an increasingly volatile world.

Over the course of more than three decades as an American diplomat, William J. Burns played a central role in the most consequential diplomatic episodes of his time - from the bloodless end of the Cold War to the collapse of post-Cold War relations with Putin’s Russia, from post-9/11 tumult in the Middle East to the secret nuclear talks with Iran.

In The Back Channel, Burns recounts, with novelistic detail and incisive analysis, some of the seminal moments of his career. Drawing on a trove of newly declassified cables and memos, he gives readers a rare inside look at American diplomacy in action. His dispatches from war-torn Chechnya and Qaddafi’s bizarre camp in the Libyan desert and his warnings of the “Perfect Storm” that would be unleashed by the Iraq War will reshape our understanding of history - and inform the policy debates of the future. Burns sketches the contours of effective American leadership in a world that resembles neither the zero-sum Cold War contest of his early years as a diplomat nor the “unipolar moment” of American primacy that followed.

Ultimately, The Back Channel is an eloquent, deeply informed, and timely story of a life spent in service of American interests abroad. It is also a powerful reminder, in a time of great turmoil, of the enduring importance of diplomacy.

Advance praise for The Back Channel:

“Bill Burns is simply one of the finest U.S. diplomats of the last half century. The Back Channel demonstrates his rare and precious combination of strategic insight and policy action. It is full of riveting historical detail but also, more important, shrewd insights into how we can advance our interests and values in a world where U.S. leadership remains the linchpin of international order.” (James A. Baker III)

“From one of America’s consummate diplomats, The Back Channel is an incisive and sorely needed case for the revitalization of diplomacy - what Burns wisely describes as our ‘tool of first resort.’” (Henry Kissinger)

“Burns not only offers a vivid account of how American diplomacy works, he also puts forward a compelling vision for its future that will surely inspire new generations to follow his incredible example.” (Madeleine K. Albright)

©2019 William J. Burns (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Told with humor and humility, The Back Channel brings all the behind-the-scenes efforts into the light, and brings readers into the room to share the journey of a talented, tough-minded diplomat par excellence who served as conduit and catalyst in making America stronger.” (John Kerry)

“The Back Channel deserves to be widely read - it’s a great book filled with fascinating stories and the kind of wisdom that is sorely needed these days.” (George P. Shultz)

“Bill Burns, one of the most respected diplomats of the post-Cold War years, has now written what I regard as the best diplomatic memoir of that period - must reading for anyone looking back on an era that’s now ending, and for any young person looking forward to diplomacy as a profession in whatever era is likely to come.” (John Lewis Gaddis, Robert A. Lovett professor of military and naval history, Yale University)

Review

A great book that explains the inner workings of American diplomacy and how it has shaped US foreign policy over the last few decades. It also shows the vital and important role The State Department plays in keeping up and showing how important America’s role in the world is. William Burns does a excellent job in chronicling his years with The State Department and making a case for why the US needs diplomacy. Burns also explains how diplomacy can be made more effective as well as how it can tackle the future foreign problems America faces. A awesome book for anyone interested in U.S foreign policy.

Truly an interesting autobiography

William Burns has had a front row seat to most of the major diplomatic events of the last a several decades. He writes as if an objective observer that places country above party and real work pragmatism above blind ideology.

Staff the State Department!

Sharply written and inspiring, this is a tale of highs, lows and triumphs in statecraft. The foreign service and diplomats are, unfortunately, not frequent headliners in the crisis obsessed media. Their contributions to averting crisis the world over have shone a bright light into some of civilizations darkest moments. Burns personal story is an inspiring and thoughtful journey around the world.

Refreshing, diplomatic, informative

A breath of fresh air, listening to an intelligent individual describing events and interactions in a diplomatic manner. I learned a lot that about the back channels of recent world events. I pray our country can re-establish it's diplomatic influence after being devastated by this current administration.

Pretty fast paced

Anyone interested in politics should find this engaging, you don't have to be a State Department employee or international relations student in order to enjoy it. Not exactly edge-of-your-seat pacing, but plenty interesting enough to keep your attention. For a book about the inner workings of diplomacy that's an accomplishment in itself.

Gave me much greater apprec for art of diplomacy

The book held my attention from start to finish. Maybe President Trump should read this book....couldn't hurt.

Fair, balanced, and a necessary perspective

Steady narration, a comprehensive telling of American diplomacy through the many diplomatic issues of the last many administrations. A VERY valuable and honest perspective.

Fantastic diplomatic memoir

If you are interested in American foreign policy or diplomacy, this is a fantastic book. It weaves together the personal experiences of one of America’s foremost diplomats with fascinating insights into contemporary foreign policy. Just a tremendous book.

Fascinating insights into the art of diplomacy, and its need for the future.

Byrnes gives us a detailed look at many of his diplomatic experiences, especially Iran nuclear agreement. The book has a very strong ending with Byrnes recommendations for the improvement in the future US diplomacy future for the State Department.

Great story and narration and advice

Thought this book was an excellent summation of US foreign policy over the last quarter century - was very impressed by the author’s analytical skill.