This book shows the strong influence of judgements made of Wilson by the British diplomatists during the early years of his national prominence (1912-1914) on the way the British dealt with Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference. It also shows the strong effect which practitioners of the so-called "Old Diplomacy" had on Lloyd George on this key issue of wartime and peace diplomacy. It shows that the British diplomatists viewed Wilson as a very successful American politician, but not as a prophet, or saviour. The religious imagery used by certain historians and more junior British diplomats, such as Harold Nicolson and John Maynard Keynes does not reflect the views of their more senior colleagues.

This is a narrative study of British diplomatic perceptions of Woodrow Wilson during his presidential campaign and presidency. Using archival material not previously explored for this purpose, George Conyne is able to challenge the conventional view of British reactions to Wilson and American policy at the Paris Peace Conference. He casts fresh light on the sources and the consequences of their image of the president of the United States.