Servants of Diplomacy: A Domestic History of the Victorian Foreign Office.

"Servants of Diplomacy: A Domestic History of the Victorian Foreign Office" by Keith Hamilton provides a detailed account of the daily lives and experiences of the clerks, librarians, messengers, and domestic staff who worked in the Victorian Foreign Office. The book explores various aspects of the office, including accommodation and domestic staff, the librarian's department, and messengers, over two time periods. Hamilton's research highlights the challenges faced by the staff, such as dilapidated buildings, malfunctioning lifts, and unsanitary conditions. The book also emphasizes the importance of individual personalities and their impact on the development of the Foreign Office. While some additional context and framing would have been helpful, the book offers an engaging and personal perspective on the inner workings of the Victorian Foreign Office. [Extracted from the article]