Dean Acheson

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Dean Acheson was a pivotal Secretary of State, shaping U.S. foreign policy in the crucial post-World War II decade as the American Century gained momentum. His career is marked by significant achievements, including the Marshall Plan and the establishment of NATO. In this acclaimed biography, Robert L. Beisner offers a compelling portrait of Acheson, drawing from extensive research in government archives, memoirs, letters, and diaries. Beisner highlights Acheson's major successes, particularly his remarkable ability to transform West Germany and Japan from adversaries into key allies, while also addressing his missteps. Central to Acheson's actions was a resolute determination to counter the Soviet bloc and defeat the Soviet Union at every opportunity. The book explores Acheson's friendship with Truman, contrasting their personalities—one a bourbon-loving Midwesterner, the other a dapper Connecticut gentleman. Acheson, described as over six feet tall with steel blue eyes and a wolfish grin, was an unforgettable figure: intellectually brilliant, debonair, and resilient. This vivid portrayal encapsulates an extraordinary life and exemplifies the art of biography.