President Obama’s former United States chief of protocol looks at why diplomacy and etiquette matter—and how they can help you in everyday life.

In her roles as chief of protocol for President Barack Obama and social secretary to President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, Capricia Penavic Marshall not only bore witness to history, but she also facilitated it. From curating rooms to have an intended impact to knowing which cultural gestures earned trust, her detailed measures were superpower influences that laid the groundwork for successful diplomacy between leaders and tilted the advantage, always, in her team’s favor. Sharing unvarnished anecdotes of harrowing near misses and exhilarating triumphs, Marshall offers the master class in soft power.

Praise for Protocol

“A trusted friend and a trusted colleague. I can’t imagine anyone who has been a greater public servant.” —Hillary Clinton

“Working with Capricia during the Obama administration was nothing short of wonderful! Her guiding hand and innovative methods laid the foundation for our successful diplomacy on the world stage.” —Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to Barack Obama and author of Finding My Voice

“Fascinating. . . . An informative and often charming primer on a little-known—but vital—government post.” —Kirkus Reviews