«Westmacott offers a personal memoir of representing Britain as an ambassador, mischievous but also passionate and full of insight, particularly into Turkey, Iran and the US, his final posting... The strength of Westmacott's account is that as well as shrewd analysis, he gives a vivid sense of how making common cause actually works... Above all, he makes a powerful case for the kind of diplomatic skills – and deep knowledge of other countries – which he has spent his life honing'»

Financial Times

«A highly readable account of a glittering diplomatic career... Combines deep insights into the critical foreign policy challenges of the last forty years while also offering valuable lessons for Britain's future international role'»

Tony Blair

«'Peter Westmacott was one of the most brilliant and consequential diplomats of his generation, rising to the apex of his service. Anyone interested in understanding how international relations work at the highest level should read They Call it Diplomacy'»

Andrew Roberts

«'Peter Westmacott's engaging memoir, drawing on a Foreign Office career that included the top job in Washington, provides a must-read guide to the crucial role for diplomacy in restoring British influence'»

Philip Stevens, Financial Times

«'Peter Westmacott's new book provides insights from a British envoy abroad [...] freed in his retirement of the bonds of self-restraint'»

Diplomat Online

«'Mounts a vigorous defense of the continuing relevance of the diplomat in an age of instant communication, social media and special envoys'»

The Foreign Service Journal