Really, this is a five-star book, but i have a tough time doing that for historical writing too often; and, as an audiobook, Barbara Caruso makes for a terrific reader. I am preparing for a trip to China in 2016 and this is a terrific way to think about how we got to where we are - summarizing the 20th century's great historical arcs and whats changed since 1972. I must now certainly also reconsider how I think about Nixon, who I think I'd known more through Dan Aykroyd's impersonation than anything else.

This is a unique book in that it is sort of like a biography of several men, all tied into one, based on their roles in the early 1970s opening of Sino-U.S. relations. I had read some of Kissinger's memoirs about his secret visit to China in 1971, and have also read a biography of Mao, but this book also adds Nixon and Zhou Enlai to the fray. The result is a very interesting and cogent narrative that underlines the significance of that time and those events. Recommended.

The book is an interesting overview of the openning of US-China relations. The author does an effective job of describing all of the events and personalities surrounding the eventual meetings (from ping-pong diplomacy, the logistics of the actual trip, biographies of the major players). Much this has been covered in more detail in other books (biographies of Nixon, Mao, histories of China etc) but the book is interesting and does cover a lot of ground, which helps illustrate the importance of this event in the Cold War and the present international system. While the book does an effective job of showing the diplomatic/strategic concerns that impacted the decision to negotiate/meet by both sides (Vietnam, Taiwan, USSR)--(possible impact on US relations with other smaller state allies ie Philipines fear of being "abandoned" as it viewed Taiwan had been)--However, the title of the book "The Week that Changed the Word" may lead some to believe that the book will examine the larger impact of US-Sino relations on our history. The book only touches on this very briefly in the conclusion. In all fairness, it would be difficult to examine the description of the meeting as well as the larger impacts. Readers should be aware that the book is more of a history rather than an analysis of international relations.

Book gives you insights in one of the significant changes in the relationship with China and the United States. Fully examines all the major players-Nixon, Mao, Henry Kissinger and very importantly Premier Chou En-lai. Lot of historical background information, how the meeting was set up in secret by both sides and a lot of interesting side light to meetings. Cast a new light on the how the relationship between two of the world powers changed. Of the four major power players, Mao was in some ways the smallest player and almost the man behind the curtin in the Wizard of Oz. Although he was sick and near the end of his life, Mao could still pull the strings of everyone. Highly recommend this book to the person studying both the American 20th Century and the US Presidency.