This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

From her early career as a social worker to serving as one of the few women present in international negotiations, Wendy Sherman has experienced politics and international diplomacy like few have. Among her past positions, Sherman has served as special advisor to President Bill Clinton, North Korea policy coordinator and chief U.S. negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal. 

With the current administration’s shift away from foreign policy, as seen in President Trump’s withdrawal from the very deal with Iran that she helped create, Sherman believes American diplomacy is under greater threat now than in any other recent time.

Yet even still, this era is marked by increasing global interconnectedness. Sherman has focused on diplomatic negotiations to achieve greater peace and security. In her book, Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence, Sherman describes her experiences and perspectives to give us all a deeper understanding of past and present international diplomacy.