I Did It This Way is a quintessentially American story that illuminates a life of our times. George C. McGhee, an author, engineer, diplomat, industrialist and philanthropist chronicles his twenty-two years of distinguished service in the State Department in this richly detailed, engagingly eloquent memoir. He was already a promising young geologist when he was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, and his experiences in Great Britain on the eve of the Second World War opened for him undreamed of vistas far beyond the bounds of his provincial Texas upbringing. It was then that he became determined to pursue a career in the field of international diplomacy, and his subsequent personal success in the oil industry provided him with the financial wherewithal to achieve his aspirations in the arena of public service. Taking us through his travels to Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Germany, he provides rare insights into the subtle art of diplomacy, the delicate process of forging policy and conducting sensitive negotiations that ultimately determines the course of world events. Not only a fascinating autobiography, I Did It This Way offers a unique perspective on the history of the Twentieth Century and a provocative discussion of the pivotal role the United States must continue to play in the newly emergent global community.
