Abstract
Book diplomacy, as a form of cultural diplomacy, deserves more scholarly attention.
The United States’ Franklin Book Programs (1952–78) is a prime example of Cold War
book diplomacy that aimed at indigenous publishing in developing countries and
countering Soviet propaganda campaigns. This article examines the microhistory of
two of Franklin’s earliest and most successful publications in Cairo and Tehran: This I
Believe and Lives of Poor Boys Who Became Famous. It aims to assess how these books
achieved success amid the Middle East’s tense environment and the then-low literacy
rates in Egypt and Iran. The analysis includes examining the production and reception
processes of these books, illustrating the crucial role of translation and adaptation
in their success. By focusing on state and non-state actors and their public-private
network, it demonstrates the value of microhistory in presenting a nuanced view of
Cold War book diplomacy
The United States’ Franklin Book Programs (1952–78) is a prime example of Cold War
book diplomacy that aimed at indigenous publishing in developing countries and
countering Soviet propaganda campaigns. This article examines the microhistory of
two of Franklin’s earliest and most successful publications in Cairo and Tehran: This I
Believe and Lives of Poor Boys Who Became Famous. It aims to assess how these books
achieved success amid the Middle East’s tense environment and the then-low literacy
rates in Egypt and Iran. The analysis includes examining the production and reception
processes of these books, illustrating the crucial role of translation and adaptation
in their success. By focusing on state and non-state actors and their public-private
network, it demonstrates the value of microhistory in presenting a nuanced view of
Cold War book diplomacy
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Diplomatica: A Journal of Diplomacy and Society |
| Early online date | 31 Dec 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Early online date - 31 Dec 2024 |
Keywords
- translation and soft power
- cultural diplomacy
- book diplomacy
- franklin book programs
- franklin publications
- history of translation
- microhistory