Profiles in Service: Peace Corps Roots in American Diplomacy - Softcover

East, Ben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1970526017 ISBN 13: 9781970526011

Publisher: Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training, 2026

Synopsis

From the founding of the Peace Corps to the front lines of modern diplomacy, Profiles in Service traces how volunteer service shaped the careers of Americans who would later represent the United States during moments of global crisis and change.

Drawing on interviews and firsthand accounts, the book follows future diplomats from remote villages to negotiating tables—through war, revolution, hostage crises, and post-conflict reconstruction—revealing how early service forged resilience, judgment, and cross-cultural fluency.

These are stories of individuals who navigated cultural divides, upheld American values under pressure, and carried the lessons of service into careers marked by consequence and sacrifice.

As the United States marks 250 years and the Peace Corps surpasses six decades of service, Profiles in Service offers a timely reflection on how citizen diplomacy helped shape modern U.S. foreign policy—and why those roots still matter.

About this title

About the Author

Ben East is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer whose work has been recognized by Peace Corps Worldwide and the Virginia Writers Club. He serves on The Foreign Service Journal editorial board. Profiles in Service, his first book of nonfiction, follows two novels.

From the Inside Flap

JFK's bold experiment influenced the careers of future ambassadors who helped lead America through war, crisis, and sweeping global change.

They tracked looted antiquities during the war in Iraq and re-established diplomacy amid the post-9/11 invasion of Afghanistan. They negotiated the Peace Corps into China only to watch their efforts unravel after Tiananmen Square. As hostages in Iran, they maintained diplomatic discipline to bridge a volatile divide during 444 days of captivity. While some led combat troops against Vietcong sanctuaries in Vietnam, others brought infrastructure to villages in the midst of raging firefights. Central to these missions of peace amid moments of crisis are individuals demonstrating great courage and conviction, whether integrating a southern high school or finding comfort in African village beliefs to grieve personal loss. From hurricane cleanup in Central America and economic development in South Korea to negotiations with Balkan warlords and African strongmen, these diplomats inserted American ideals and pragmatism into difficult moments to bring progress around the world.

Drawing on oral histories by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, fresh interviews, and other primary sources, Profiles links Peace Corps service with diplomatic achievement to highlight how the volunteer experience shaped individual careers—and modern American diplomacy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1970526017
• ISBN 13: 9781970526011
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 307