'Today, there's a growing notion that diplomacy is too important to be left to diplomats alone. Dr. Hofstadter's book fulfills a pressing need of educating the public at large about an important aspect of consular functions.' - Aaron Jacob, former Israel Ambassador to the United Nations and Director of Diplomatic Affairs, American Jewish Committee, New York, USA 'This easy-to-understand book on the meaning of the consular institution will appeal to all readers in different stages of their transnational pursuits.' - Nido Qubein, President, High Point University, North Carolina, USA 'As consuls around the world bring people and cultures together, this handbook is a welcome resource for understanding their role as micro-builders of global communities.' - Mark Gillem, Principal, Urban Collective and Professor, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA This book offers a tool in international relations conducted separately from the activities of ambassadors and other diplomats at the highest level of diplomacy at embassies in capital cities. In communities around the world, foreign consuls provide a local link to the modern arena of global activities. To be credible players in the international community, educational, civic and business leaders have to understand the role and nature of a variety of named consuls (such as a career consul, honorary consul, consul general, vice consul, head of post, and trade commissioner) and their official functions in various locations throughout a nation. The book also presents the international rules of consular diplomacy, such as rank and titles determining consular precedence to provide guidelines in areas with an active consular corps. Lastly, the book clarifies the difference between citizens on their government's career consular track and those (mostly co-nationals) who function as honorary consuls. Cami Green Hofstadter is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Miami and Florida International University, USA.