The Diplomacy of War
Graeme S. Mount

In The Diplomacy of War, Graeme S. Mount and Eric Laferrière offer a richly detailed case study of the Korean War, tracing how five Commonwealth countries—Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—sought to influence American strategy in one of the Cold War’s earliest and bloodiest conflicts. Though 16 nations fought on behalf of South Korea, and millions perished, the war's diplomacy unfolded in backchannels and multilateral meetings as much as on battlefields.

Drawing on archives from Canada, the United States, China, the Soviet Union, the United Nations, and more, the authors examine how Commonwealth allies navigated the difficult terrain between cooperation and dissent with Washington. Their findings reveal a complicated reality: while a united Commonwealth might have shifted U.S. policy, national priorities and strategic needs often undermined coordination.

This compelling and meticulously researched book offers lasting insight into Cold War diplomacy, alliance politics, and Canada’s enduring effort to shape international decision-making—not through command, but coalition.

Praise for Diplomacy of War

"A praiseworthy addition to the published material on the Korean war. Graeme Mount has written a volume that is interesting, readable, and exceedingly well-documented. I found it fascinating." - John Melady, author of Korea: Canada's Forgotten War

"Mount argues convincingly that, while a united Commonwealth might have had some influence on the American-dominated politics and strategy of the Korean war, in practice, the Commonwealth was rarely united. The great strength of the book is in the wealth of detail with which Mount charts the course of policy-making in each of the Commonwealth capitals, the very limited coordination between them, and the way in which their individual strategic needs inevitably led to differing policy positions on Korea. Fifty years on, the relationship coalition with superpower is as relevant as ever." - Peter Londey, historian at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

"Drawing on new and comprehensive research, The Diplomacy of War both assesses previous histories and presents its own judicious findings. It advances our understanding of the Korean War and makes complex diplomatic history accessible." - Hank Nelson, Professor Emeritus at the Australian National University 

Graeme S. Mount teaches history at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. He is the author of thirteen books, including Chile and the Nazis and Adventures Along Borders. 

Andre Laferriere teaches history at the William G. Davis Sr. Public School in Brampton, Ontario. 

2004; 204 pages

The Diplomacy of War Retail Prices
Paperback:
9781551642383 $24.99
Hardcover:
9781551642390 $53.99