A well-written, slightly hagiographic, but fascinatingly detailed biography of the Secretary of State who served four years in Truman’s second term, from 1948-1952.  These were incredible years of post-WWII adjustments and the beginning of the Cold War.  Acheson was at the center of so many important initiatives from the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine to Korea, China, NATO, a divided Germany, containment, the beginning of Viet Nam, the decisions about atomic and hydrogen bombs and their use, and McCarthyism.  A man of sophisticated East Coast style and tastes (father was Episcopal bishop of Connecticut, Yale, Harvard law School, Supreme Court clerk for Brandeis, friend of McLeish, Harriman, Frankfurter, Holmes), Acheson was a pragmatist and realist who worked tirelessly for European unity, an American focus on Europe, and a practical Realpolitik with the Soviet Union.  His policies were ultimately vindicated but the chaotic, unpredictable, contingent series of events in his period presaged the world we live in today, though today we lack the simplicity of a dichotomous conflict.  An informative and enjoyable book.