This book investigates the unspoken assumptions and underlying principles that guided British foreign policy from the late 19th century to the eve of World War I. Thomas G. Otte, drawing on extensive archival research and sociological insights, analyzes the British foreign service as a knowledge-based organization. He examines how the social and educational backgrounds of the diplomatic elite, within the broader context of Victorian and Edwardian Britain, shaped the collective mindset of diplomats. The book traces the evolution of this mindset and its reaction to and influence on international relations, including the balance of power, arms races, and the origins of appeasement and the First World War.

This scholarly work is recognized for its pioneering approach to the study of international history, grounded in extensive archival research. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the British foreign service and its role in shaping policy during a critical period. The book's strength lies in its detailed examination of the intellectual and social underpinnings of diplomatic decision-making.