The Diplomacy of Isolation: South African Foreign Policy Making

In this review of The Diplomacy of Isolation, the reviewer finds a detailed, interview-based study of South African foreign policy under Prime Ministers Vorster and Botha between 1966 and 1981. The book is best suited for readers seeking a historical, personality-driven explanation of how leaders shaped South African international relations; its single biggest reason to buy is the unique access to firsthand interviews that illuminate the decision making process. This review focuses on the book's research depth, narrative clarity, and its value to scholars and interested general readers.

Key Features

• Interview-driven research: The book draws on three years of original research and personal interviews, providing direct insight into the actors who shaped policy.
• Focused historical period: Concentrating on 1966-1981 allows a sustained, contextual study of the Vorster and Botha administrations and their foreign policy choices.
• Personality analysis: The narrative emphasizes the role and influence of powerful personalities, clarifying how individual leaders affected South Africa's direction abroad.
• Policy-making emphasis: The text examines not only events but the processes and deliberations behind key diplomatic decisions, useful for comparative studies.
• Academic grounding: Three years of research underpin the conclusions, making the book a credible resource for students and researchers of international politics.

Who It's For

The Diplomacy of Isolation is well suited to graduate students, historians, and policy analysts who want a concentrated study of South African foreign policy during a pivotal Cold War-era span. Readers who appreciate source-based histories and value first-person accounts will find the book particularly informative.

Casual readers looking for a broad survey of South African history or an introductory text on the entire apartheid era may find the book narrowly focused; those seeking extensive policy data tables or contemporary analysis beyond 1981 should look elsewhere. The work is strongest as a specialized academic or reference text rather than a general-interest narrative.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides valuable firsthand material from personal interviews that illuminate key decisions and personalities.
• Maintains concentrated focus on 1966-1981, allowing depth rather than a rushed overview.
• Useful for scholars due to its research-based approach and emphasis on policy-making processes.

Cons

• The narrow chronological focus means readers wanting later developments or broader social context must consult other sources.

Specifications

Title	The Diplomacy of Isolation: South African Foreign Policy Making
Author	D. Geldenhuys
Subject focus	South African foreign policy, 1966-1981
Primary figures	Prime Ministers Vorster and Botha
Research basis	Three years of research with personal interviews
Approach	Personality and policy-making analysis

Our Verdict

The Diplomacy of Isolation is a focused, well-researched account that will repay the time of scholars and serious students of international politics who need insight into how leaders shaped South Africa's foreign policy. Its interview material and detailed attention to the 1966-1981 period make it good value as a specialized reference, though readers seeking broader or more recent overviews should pair it with complementary works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What period does the book cover?
The book covers South African foreign policy between 1966 and 1981, focusing on the Vorster and Botha administrations.

Does the author use original sources?
Yes, the study is based on three years of research and includes personal interviews with people involved in policy making.

Is it suitable for general readers?
It is best for readers with an interest in academic or policy-focused history; casual readers may find its scope specialized.