Speaking Frankly.

by James F. Byrnes

In his memoirs, James F. Byrnes, former US Secretary of State, recalls the difficult negotiations with the Soviet Union on the subject of German reparations during the Potsdam Conference from 17 July 1945 to 2 August 1945.

Genres: History

324 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Byrnes had been on the Supreme Court and was made Secretary of State by FDR. A very interesting look behind the scenes of government workings especially of the Yalta and Paris Peace conferences of World War II. Suprisingly readable even for those who don't consider themselves history buffs but find this era interesting.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty nice excursion through the most important history period. Real gift to the people engaged with history , especially for FDR biography reviewers.
Full of details and provides chance to plunge into the real feelings of the past

[La-Shanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appropriate for high school and postsecondary students and adults who want to further their knowledge on government relations and Nazi Germany.

[Leah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may be coming into this with a bias due to previous knowledge of Byrnes, and the opinions of others who didn't like him, but I wasn't thrilled with his retelling of history. Yes, he was a central player and made many of the major decisions. But they are retold in a rather dry way, and Byrnes is perpetually surprised at things that don't turn out as planned, and it's always the fault of the Russians not keeping their promises or things would have been a success. There is also no mention of controversy surrounding any of his decisions, or the points of view of any who disagreed with him, and he doesn't express many regrets on a personal level.

My quibble as a reader is that, unlike other memoirs of this type that spice things up by recounting funny little stories of things that happen behind the scenes (see Witness to History, 1929-1969, which I just read the day before this one, for example) Byrnes's idea of a funny story is of him making a toast that falls flat ("Let those who war has joined, let peace not tear asunder") - he thinks because the Russians didn't get the cultural reference. But actually it was just not funny. And that was the closest he gets to humor.

At its best, this memoir is a clear and cogent explanation of the details of what was going on at the most important conferences of the WWII era and just beyond, from someone who helped shape events as they unfolded (literally helping draw the lines on the maps) and helped create the world we live in today.

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish this one either -- but not because my dog ate it. After discovering Byrnes turned into a really conservative dude, I didn't want to waste my time taking in his opinions about what happened under FDR ….

[Larry Gundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

you need to know some history of our foreign policy

[Oma Eagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

published 1947