Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing

"Should you ever get a chance to take part in a counter-terrorism exercise, step forward... but never volunteer to be a hostage." From Chapter 2 of "⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠⁠": "How to Tackle Terrorism". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #terrorism

"A bomb has exploded in Ankara. A big one. City centre." My colleague from the British embassy in the capital of Turkey, five hours' drive to the east, sounded shaken. "Should we declare a crisis?" From Chapter 1 of "⁠Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties⁠": "How to Survive a Crisis". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #crisis #crisismanagement #Turkey

Meet Ray: "a shambling, swarthy, sunken-eyed bear of a man... the first thing I saw when I peered into the cab was his butcher's arms: broad and sheened with sweat". One of a host of fascinating characters who taught me the lessons in the book "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

"The Two Rooms" is one of my "Hotel Stories". It features Ms N, the most brilliant and occasionally homicidal hotel managers in the world, and her beautiful, smart but naive colleague, Tatiana.

I'm afraid I'm not brilliant at accents - particularly US accents! But I hope you enjoy the story. Any voice actors out there who fancy doing a better version? Get in touch and - most of all - enjoy!

#writing #writingtips #thrillers #thriller #international #books #book #booktok #stories #shortstories

How do get invited to the King's Birthday Party in a British Embassy overseas? Find out more in my new book ⁠⁠Lessons in Diplomacy⁠. It might be easier than you think! I hope you enjoy the book. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy

How do you become an ambassador? My new book ⁠Lessons in Diplomacy⁠ explores what diplomacy can teach us all. Here is a run-through of the main chapters and sections, from "How to become an ambassador" through "How to survive a crisis", "How to handle politicians" and "How to drink wine and know things" to "How to make diplomacy reflect our changing world". Let me know what you think of the book! #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms

Are the conspiracy theories right? What if the entire world, as we perceive it, is controlled by shadowy forces? A 1955 short story helped begin a strong tradition of tales exploring alternative realities. You can find the story on which this podcast is based on my blog, here. Other blog posts mentioned in the podcast are The Machine Stops and Vintage Season. I recommend them both. #sci-fi #stories #shortstories #books #booktok

Why did Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin allow Vladimir Putin to kill him after Prigozhin's mutiny in 2023? Prigozhin might have taken more care if he'd seen the classic early 1990s Russian movie Burnt by the Sun. More about this in my book Lessons in Diplomacy. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms

From my book "Lessons in Diplomacy": How to make the perfect Pimm's. Watch the video of Antonio making a mouthwatering Pimms at https://rleighturner.com/perfect-pimms/. #diplomacy #ambassador #ambassadors #diplomat #diplomats #diplomat #booksfordiplomacy #diplomacybook #booksaboutdiplomacy #pimms #perfectpimms #rleighturner

"The Three-Body Problem" is out on Netflix. Some Chinese critics are reportedly angered by the series' depiction of China. I can see why. Let's look at the book, and how the Netflix version compares.

You can read the blog post on which this podcast is based on my rleighturner.com website.