François de Callières

François de Callières (1645-1717) is the author of On Negotiating with Sovereigns, an iconic work on diplomacy which has rarely if ever been out of print in English translation since it was first published in 1716. Based largely on previously undiscovered archival materials, this biography traces his long political career., from a first clandestine mission to Poland in 1670 to his advocacy of the the failed Franco-Jacobite invasion of Scotland in 1708. It documents the practice of the historical Callières, in contrast to the high-minded theory of On Negotiating with Sovereigns. François de Callières is one of the most important figures in the history of diplomatic thought and Laurence Pope, who is in the first rank of scholar-diplomats, has produced a biography worthy of him. It is impeccably researched, rich in absorbing detail, comprehensive in its account of his subject's activities (literary as well as diplomatic), shrewd in its judgements, and written with considerable verve. I enjoyed it immensely. G.R. Berridge, Emeritus Professor of International Politics, University of Leicester. History of International Relations, Diplomacy and Intelligence, 15 (History of International Relations Library, 16) Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Prologue Chapter One Norman Origins Chapter Two First Mission to Poland Chapter Three Back to the Vistula Chapter Four In the Courts of Powerful Women Chapter Five In Search of Patrons Chapter Six Climbing Parnassus Chapter Seven 'M. de Gigny' Goes to Holland Chapter Eight Vauban and the King Chapter Nine The Ryswick Conference Chapter Ten Between Two Wars Chapter Eleven By the King's Side Chapter Twelve The Ruinous War Chapter Thirteen The Scottish Diversion I: Lord Lovat's Lament Chapter Fourteen The Scottish Diversion II: Invasion Chapter Fifteen Elder Statesman Appendices 1 Mémoires to the King A. 'The Affairs of Poland' B. 'How to Preserve the Peace' C. 'How to Achieve Peace' D. 'The Affairs of Scotland' 2 Key Persons Mentioned in the Text Bibliography Index About the Author(s)/Editor(s) Laurence Pope, a retired American ambassador, is the editor of Letters (1694-1700) of François de Callières to the Marquise d'Huxelles, in collaboration with William S. Brooks (Mellen, 2004).