Book Review - Married to the Foreign Service

Recommended. 4/4/26 dwm

  It's unusual to have a book connection. This book came to my attention at work a few weeks ago. 

 I'm a few steps away from really knowing the author and her family, but am familiar enough for the story to mean more than it would otherwise.

 Evelyn Lee Dyer's story began in Norfolk, Virginia.When she finished high school, a family member encouraged her to take the Civil Service test which was a path to a better job than she might fine in her hometown.

 Her first posting lasted four years at the Norfolk, Virginia NAval Base.  

 From there, her ambition and fearlessness led her to code school and a career serving in various departments of the Federal Government, starting with a position in Istanbul, Turkey.

 Evelyn's life story is fascinating for the opportunities and challenges she faced. She adept at navigating the cities where she served around Europe and seemingly was quick in picking up the language.

She met her husband while assigned to be a secretary for the youngest Assistant Secretary of State, John W. Hanes, Jr., in the history of the State Department at that time. He served the same person as an Assistant to the Assistant Secretary. They were married in June, 1962.

It's been a privilege getting to know that former Assistant to the Assistant Secretary. He ultimately retired as an American counsel general.

Her story includes capital 'H' history in terms of world events, such as the time military forces for the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia in August 20 - 21, 1968, but the stories of representing the country and raising the family, at the same time, are what you'll enjoy and remember most.

Married to the Foreign Service - An American Life in the Era of Cold War Diplomacy is available at all the usual places, click here for the link at Barnes and Noble.