Foreign Service Officers must be well-informed and knowledgeable across many disciplines: current world and national affairs, economics, history, public affairs, and management, among others. And, since Foreign Service Officers represent the United States to the world, they must also possess an insightful understanding of American society and culture. This breadth of knowledge is usually gathered gradually over time. The best foundation is a solid education and a personal life-habit of reading, learning, and expanding one’s understanding of the world.

Given this breadth, it is difficult to provide a definitive reading list that will prepare a person for the Foreign Service selection process, and for a Foreign Service career. Nonetheless, the reading list below illustrates the kinds of books and readings that can set you in the right direction.

  • Download the Suggested Reading List (pdf).
  • Read Dipnote: The Department's official blog where you can discuss important foreign policy issues with senior Department officials.
  • Read the Foreign Service Journal, published monthly by the American Foreign Service Association. Each issue covers foreign affairs from an insider’s perspective, providing thoughtful articles on international issues, the practice of diplomacy and the U.S. Foreign Service.
  • Read Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service, by Harry W. Kopp and Charles A. Gillespie. This is an insider's guide that examines the foreign service as an institution, a profession, and a career.
  • Order a copy of the all-new 2011 edition of Inside a U.S. Embassy: Diplomacy at Work, which provides a unique look into the work and lives of the diplomats and specialists who make up the U.S. Foreign Service.
  • Order Realities of Foreign Service Life, Volume I and Volume II: collections of essays that give an honest, balanced view of the realities of living the mobile Foreign Service lifestyle.

For an online exploration of diplomatic history and foreign affairs see www.usdiplomacy.org.