The Wise Men | Walter Isaacson & Evan Thomas

The Wise Men is a sweeping political biography that chronicles the lives and legacies of six influential American statesmen—Dean Acheson, Charles Bohlen, Averell Harriman, George Kennan, Robert Lovett, and John McCloy—who shaped U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. Drawn together by their shared experiences during World War II and a belief in internationalism, these men crafted the institutions and doctrines that defined America's global role in the 20th century.

From the formation of NATO to the Marshall Plan, their decisions steered the country through some of its most critical postwar challenges. With rich detail and insightful analysis, Isaacson and Thomas explore the unique blend of intellect, privilege, and patriotism that defined this elite group. The book is both a compelling historical narrative and a study in leadership, diplomacy, and the exercise of power.