During the fourteenth and thirteenth centuries BCE, the kings of Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, and Hatti participated in a complex international community. These two hundred years also witnessed the production of luxurious artworks made of gold, ivory, alabaster, and faience--objects that helped to foster good relations among the kingdoms. In fact, as Marian H. Feldman makes clear here, art and international relations during the Late Bronze Age formed an unprecedented symbiosis, in concert with expanded travel and written communications across the Mediterranean. And thus diplomacy was invigorated through the exchange of lavish art objects and luxury goods, which shared a repertoire of imagery that modern scholars have called the first International Style in the history of art. Previous studies have focused almost exclusively on stylistic attribution of these objects at the expense of social contextualization. Feldman's Diplomacy by Design instead examines the profound connection between art produced during this period and its social and political contexts, revealing inanimate objects as catalysts--or even participants--in human dynamics. Feldman's fascinating study shows the ways in which the diplomatic circulation of these works actively mediated and strengthened political relations, intercultural interactions, and economic negotiations and she does so through diverse disciplinary frameworks including art history, anthropology, and social history. Written by a specialist in ancient Near Eastern art and archaeology who has excavated and traveled extensively in this area of the world, Diplomacy by Design considers anew the symbolic power of material culture and its centrality in the construction of human relations.

The Architecture of Diplomacy reveals the complex interplay of architecture, politics, and power in the history of America's embassy-building program. Through colorful personalities, bizarre episodes, and high drama this compelling story takes readers from scandalous "inspection" junkets by members of Congress to bugged offices at the Moscow embassy to the daring rescue of American personnel in Somalia by Marines and Navy Seals. Rigorously researched and lucidly written, The Architecture of Diplomacy focuses on the embassy-building program during the Cold War years, when the United States initiated a massive construction campaign that would demonstrate its commitment to its allies and assert its presence as a superpower.

In Design and Diplomacy, Mary Jean Thompson tells her story of achieving personal fulfillment and professional success by turning setbacks into steppingstones. She does this by combining multidimensional thinking with the heart and soul, grit and grace, to follow through from thinking to doing.She writes of a powerful work ethic and a wellspring of core values shaped by family, heritage, and place. These include multitasking to achieve higher levels of perfection, and maintaining her dignity and honesty no matter what others do. She draws on these and other principles time and time again in her journey from Oregon's fertile Willamette Valley to building an unparalleled design enterprise to serving as a European diplomat.Growing up in a loving and supportive family, strengthened by a fine liberal arts education, and mobilizing her keen intellect and entrepreneurial spirit, she overcomes personal heartache and professional breaches of trust to launch four innovative national companies while raising four remarkable children.Over a span of four decades, she pioneers a radical rethinking about the purpose and power of healthcare environments. Her inspiring, people-centered designs include healthcare, historic restoration, corporate, educational, and residential projects across the country, including 35 hospitals. Winning more healthcare design awards in this period than any other interiors firm in the United States, she builds a portfolio of projects totaling more than $1 billion.Her proven ability to bring together people of exceptional abilities leads to a career as Honorary Consul of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Now representing a sovereign nation with powerful diplomatic skills, she works with the country's highest officials to create major public diplomacy advances for Liechtenstein in the United States.Sharing her story in this richly illustrated book, Mary Jean Thompson--mother, grandmother, trailblazer, classical pianist, accomplished skier, world traveler, civic and cultural leader, and woman of impeccable taste and style--reveals how family, creativity, and hard work shape a life of purpose and impact, the life of a Renaissance woman.###

Renowned biographer Anthony Seldon invites the reader into the day-to-day life of an internationally important diplomatic seat. A winning formula across the board, this book cannot fail to enthrall those interested in art, horticulture, interior design, architecture, history, diplomacy, politics, and "the special relationship", as we are given a sneak-peek into the day-to-day life, past and present, of the Residence.