Choose Your Weapons

by Douglas Hurd
Choose Your Weapons cover
Good Books rating 4.23
History
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  • ID: 6346
  • Added: 2025-11-13
  • Updated: 2025-11-13
  • ISBN: 9780297858515
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-03-28
  • Reviews: 3

Choose Your Weapons delves into the enduring debate between liberal interventionism and conservative diplomacy, tracing its roots through key historical figures. The book starts with Canning and Castelreagh in post-Waterloo Britain, moves to the clash between Palmerston and Aberdeen, and examines the strategies of Salisbury and Grey. It culminates with the post-war compromise laid by Eden and Bevin, which has shaped international relations for over half a century. As the world faces new challenges like terrorism and racial conflict, the old questions and divisions resurface, making this exploration of political strategies more relevant than ever.

Reviews
LoveReading · 2011-01-20
fascinating 4.00

The book is described as a page-turning exploration of British foreign policy. It is praised for its engaging and informative content.

The reviewer describes the book as a page-turning account of the history of British foreign policy, highlighting its engaging and informative nature. They appreciate the way Hurd brings the subject to life, making it both enjoyable and educational. The reviewer also notes that the book is a fascinating study, providing a series of insightful studies of most of the foreign secretaries from the Napoleonic War to the present day.

Quick quotes

    A page-turning book about the history of British foreign policy.

    Douglas Hurd has done the impossible..he has produced a page-turning book about the history of British foreign policy.

    A fascinating study.

The Independent · 2010-02-26
thoughtful 4.20

The book is commended for its narrative history and the author's personal insights. It is seen as a thoughtful and elegant exploration of British foreign policy.

The reviewer appreciates that Hurd avoids judgementalism, presenting a fine narrative history that is informed by his own experiences. They highlight the book's thoughtful and elegant approach to British foreign policy, emphasizing the continuity running through it. The reviewer finds the book to be a page-turner, making the history of British foreign policy engaging and accessible.

Quick quotes

    On the whole, Hurd avoids judgementalism.

    This is fine narrative history but informed by Hurd's own experience.

    One of the great achievements of this thoughtful and elegant book is to emphasise the thread of continuity running through British foreign policy.

The Guardian · 2010-02-20
enjoyable 4.50

The book is praised for its engaging narrative and insightful exploration of British foreign policy. It is noted for its enjoyable and informative content.

The reviewer highlights that the book is a hugely enjoyable read, charting Britain's fortunes in its relations with the rest of the world from the early 19th century to 1956. They appreciate the way Hurd brings the workings of Parliament to life, making it both well-written and enjoyable. The reviewer also notes that the book is fine narrative history, informed by Hurd's own experiences, which adds depth and authenticity to the content.

Quick quotes

    Choose Your Weapons is a hugely enjoyable book.

    Working from the early 19th century to 1956, Hurd charts Britain's fortunes in its relations with the rest of the world.

    This is fine narrative history but informed by Hurd's own experience.

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