An Incredible Book

Isaacson has truly crafted an amazing piece of work. He does a brilliant job at analysing Kissinger's style. He does this through an intricate web of his accomplishments and failures. It is truly remarkable how he manages to dissect and understand Kissinger's approach.

The book offers a deep and detailed look into Kissinger's life and career. It explores the various factors that influenced his decisions and actions. By examining both his successes and his setbacks, Isaacson provides a well-rounded perspective.

I simply can't recommend this book enough. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or international relations. It offers valuable insights and a fascinating look into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

A highly interesting book indeed! Kissinger was truly a remarkable figure. He was a genius, with an intellect that could astound. However, his character was somewhat marred by vanity, a large ego, and an insatiable ambition. These flaws, while perhaps not uncommon in the world of politics and international relations, did leave an indelible mark on his otherwise impressive persona.

Despite these imperfections, Kissinger lived a fascinating and long life. He was at the center of many important events and negotiations, playing a significant role in shaping the global political landscape. His experiences and insights are captured in this book, making it a captivating read for anyone interested in history, politics, or international relations.

Overall, the book offers a balanced and engaging look at Kissinger, highlighting both his achievements and his flaws. It is a must-read for those who want to understand the man behind the legend and the complex world in which he operated.

Kissinger – “the most famous statesman of the modern era”: https://knigolandia.info/kissinger-a-...

I would like to start with a quote from Henry Kissinger's book "A World Restored" in 1957, which is so relevant that it could have been written yesterday: "Whenever peace in the sense of the avoidance of war is the primary objective of a power or a group of powers, the international system is at the mercy of its most ruthless member." It is precisely because of this type of perception that the American diplomat remains one of the most famous and influential personalities of the past century. And precisely these days I read and analyzed, according to which there are signs that his style of realpolitik is being applied again - but what exactly it is, this can be described better than anyone else by the great biographer Walter Isaacson. So far, I have read his massive biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci, and after sharing this text, I will also start his book on Elon Musk. But it must be noted that the impressive scope and depth in which he delves into the life story of Henry Kissinger. It is important to note that this book was originally published in 1992, in a very different world, so in itself it is a document of an era that, from our point of view, seems naive and optimistically stupid when it was believed that the end of history had come and the great world confrontations were already in the past. But above all, this is a chronicle of the governance of a country and its contradictory foreign policy - and it can be said that many of these pages are laughable with the direct descriptions of chaos, the details, and the human weaknesses that determine the direction of action of one of the two superpowers in the period. And what is even stranger is that to a large extent these actions are successful according to the current challenges - in the end, obviously, the assessment of history in such a case should be positive.

Publisher Trud

https://knigolandia.info/kissinger-a-...

As an avid reader with a passion for both history and the works of Walter Isaacson, it is rather astonishing that this magnificent biography of Kissinger remained unread on my bookshelf for decades.

I believe this was due to an intuitive bias I held against Kissinger, combined with the view that a proper historical examination of an era requires at least 50 years of distance.

Recently, I embarked on a Nixon binge after reading Garrett Graff's new biography a few months ago, which brought Kissinger back into my focus. Graff cited Isaacson's book, and I discovered it sitting on my shelf.

This book offers profound insights into the politics of the 1960s and 1970s. I personally lived through this tumultuous period, first as a college student and then as a law student. I thought I was well-versed in the events of that time, but I was pleasantly surprised to gain a wealth of new knowledge and understanding from this book.

In the end, I found Kissinger to be a rather loathsome figure. There is no doubt that he was brilliant, but his vanity, deviousness, insecurity, paranoia, conspiratorial nature, and worst of all, his amorality, were truly off-putting.

These personality traits not only reinforced but also encouraged Nixon's darkest suspicions and worst biases, setting the stage for a litany of controversial events, including wiretaps, Watergate, the secret bombing and subsequent invasion of Cambodia, the Christmas bombing of Hanoi, the destabilization of Chile, genocide and massacres in Bangladesh, and much more.

Despite my negative view of Kissinger, I must highly recommend this book. It provides a comprehensive and detailed account of a complex and influential figure, and offers valuable lessons about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of ethical leadership.

Kissinger

This biography primarily centers around his government work, with a particular emphasis on his tenure in the Nixon Administration. It is filled with a wealth of information, yet I found its writing to be rather lackluster. Kissinger, to this day, still persists as an enigma.

He played a crucial role in shaping American foreign policy during a significant period. His actions and decisions had far-reaching consequences. However, despite the detailed account provided in the biography, the narrative fails to fully capture the complexity and intrigue that surrounds him.

Perhaps it is due to the nature of the subject matter or the author's writing style. Nevertheless, Kissinger's influence and the mysteries that shroud him continue to fascinate scholars and the public alike. There is still much to discover and understand about this complex figure.

Overall, while the biography offers valuable insights into Kissinger's government work, it falls short in presenting a more engaging and captivating portrayal of the man himself.

At first, I was rather hesitant about delving into a biography of Henry Kissinger. The reason being, I was deeply concerned about the kind of author who could truly capture the intricacies of Kissinger's times, his profound expertise in foreign relations, and the subtleties of his personal character.

However, after having read Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, I made up my mind to give him a chance. And I must say, I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Walter Isaacson has more than proved himself to be more than capable of the task at hand. He has meticulously examined Kissinger's decisions within the tactical, strategic, diplomatic, and moral context of his era.

Isaacson also takes a close look at his relationships with others. This includes, of course, his association with Nixon, his interactions with the media, and even the social circles that he regularly frequented.

I would highly recommend this work to anyone seeking an all-encompassing view of one of the most complex of men. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Kissinger's life, work, and the times in which he lived.

Having read a significant number of books penned by Henry Kissinger, it was truly fascinating to view the man beyond his remarkable genius.

The biography was composed in the early 1990s, and I believed it offered a perspective where certain aspects of the analysis had not yet made the transition from the realm of politics to the gaze of history.

This analysis led to some disparities in the portrayal of HK, which I perceived to be more critical rather than otherwise. Although the criticisms were legitimate, I felt that there was another, more positive side to HK that the author failed to explore. For instance, when reading the chapters regarding the Watergate investigations, I anticipated that HK would be severely condemned and would lack any political allies to safeguard him. However, as history reveals, that was not the actual situation.

Overall, the biography is well-researched and does an excellent job of presenting the staff dynamics and personalities involved in the policy-making of that era. It provides valuable insights into the complex world of politics and the individuals who shaped it.

Despite its shortcomings in presenting a more balanced view of HK, it still serves as a useful resource for understanding the events and人物 of that time.

Perhaps future biographies will offer a more comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of this influential figure.

Surprisingly humorous, excellent contextualization, not always subjective.

Isaacson's opinion on Kissinger is not exactly subtle. But is that a bad thing?

Well, it might not be. Isaacson's approach of presenting his views in a perhaps less-than-subtle way can actually add an interesting layer to the analysis.

His humor can make the reading more engaging and accessible, drawing the reader in and making them more likely to pay attention to the details.

The excellent contextualization helps to place Kissinger's actions and decisions within a broader historical and political framework, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding.

And while not always being subjective means that Isaacson may present different perspectives and interpretations, this can actually enhance the overall quality of the work.

It encourages the reader to think critically and form their own opinions, rather than simply being spoon-fed a one-sided view.

So, in the end, Isaacson's not-so-subtle opinion on Kissinger might just be a refreshing and valuable addition to the discourse.

While the book presents a subjective assessment of Kissinger by Walter Isaacson, my motivation for choosing it was to understand what makes Kissinger who he is. At times, it is extremely critical of Kissinger and his actions. However, as discussed in the book, his actions are also an integral part of his philosophy of realpolitik. I truly loved this book and look forward to selecting another biography by this master. Next, I am going to pick 'Kissinger - The Negotiator'. This will provide further insights into the complex and influential figure that Kissinger is. I am eager to explore his negotiating skills and the impact they had on international relations. The biography is likely to offer a detailed account of his diplomatic efforts and the strategies he employed. I am confident that it will be as engaging and informative as the previous one.

Isaacson has made a monumental documentary study of Kissinger. With the same ease, he juggles between internal government documents and notes, articles from diplomatic journals, scientific works and books by Kissinger himself, journalistic articles and anecdotal stories from interviews with eyewitnesses. The book can be read as a kind of course on the main events in American foreign diplomacy during the era of Kissinger. The Vietnam War. The coup against Allende in Chile. The Yom Kippur War. The détente with China.

However, what remains deeply hidden beneath the layers and layers of information is Kissinger himself. A refugee from Nazism in Germany, although far from poor and suffering, he has the necessary psychological traits that catapult him into the diplomatic orbit. Maniacal desire for control, underhanded maneuvers and trustworthiness. Insecurity. Emotionality. Lack of empathy and human sense. Sharp intelligence. The desire to please the powerful of the day and his critics, combined with the desire to step on everyone with less intelligence. A realist. A cynic, considering ideals as an obstacle. Ambitious and tireless in the intellectual game that can change the world. A flexible combinator and a charming user. The qualities of Kissinger are partly listed, but the man remains in the shade, blurred and unclear. The powerful of the day and their maneuvers - including President Nixon himself - are presented even more impersonally and faintly memorable. And the comrades' conscientiously dug up details about every little bureaucratic wrangle are more successfully captivating than any adherent. The boredom in the middle of some paragraph filled with countless repetitions or countless minutiae is guaranteed.

Risking to sound heretical, I think it would have been better if Isaacson had refrained from writing exactly this particular biography. He has not succeeded, and the enormous effort has not paid off. I would not go so far as to say that otherwise the antipathetic Kissinger (I compare him to a charming cobra) deserves more - but given his own orientation more towards results and less towards speculations, moral dilemmas and boring details - in the end it may well turn out that way. Simply, the biographer and the subject are at diametrically opposite poles, which is to the detriment of both, as well as the reader.

2.5⭐️

P.S. Nice edition, design and translation!

The detailed accounting of Kissinger’s bewildering successes and complex personality are truly overwhelming.

For so many decades, he has managed to maintain a larger than life clout without even having an official government post. This is no small feat.

His achievements are numerous and span across various fields. From international diplomacy to strategic thinking, Kissinger has left an indelible mark.

His complex personality adds another layer to his already remarkable story. He is a man of great intellect, charm, and shrewdness.

Despite the passage of time, his influence continues to be felt around the world.

Whether it is in shaping foreign policies or advising world leaders, Kissinger’s presence is always felt.

His story is one that will be studied and analyzed for years to come, serving as an inspiration to future generations.

Returning to the captivating realm of political biographies, I decided to explore another of Walter Isaacson's works, specifically focusing on Henry Kissinger. Isaacson meticulously traces Kissinger's journey from his modest beginnings in Germany to his remarkable ascent through the American political hierarchy, with a particular emphasis on his tenure in the Nixon and Ford White Houses.

Throughout the book, numerous storylines unfold, presenting three distinct aspects of Kissinger's life: the brilliant academic, the power-hungry megalomaniac, and the astute statesman. Isaacson provides a wealth of information and detailed accounts of Kissinger's life thus far, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into some of America's formative years in the mid- to late-20th century.

Kissinger's academic prowess was a key factor in his success. From an early age, his aptitude for learning was exceptional. After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938, a 15-year-old Kissinger and his family settled in New York. Despite the language barrier, he excelled in his studies, never using his circumstances as an excuse. His initial interest in mathematics eventually led to a passion for history, which redirected his academic focus to the liberal arts.

Kissinger's academic achievements earned him a scholarship to Harvard, where he concentrated on international history. His professors were impressed by his passion for understanding the world through past events. He advanced to graduate studies and earned a doctoral degree with a dissertation on the post-Napoleonic organization of Europe, which proved invaluable in understanding the Cold War.

However, Kissinger's academic success also gave rise to megalomaniacal tendencies. As an academic, he used his position of authority to direct the research of his students, often steamrolling over their ideas and taking credit for them himself. This behavior set the stage for many other instances of his power-hungry nature.

In his role as a statesman, Kissinger was second to none. He took the lead in many of Nixon's foreign policy initiatives, including the secret mission to China in 1971. His diplomatic skills and ability to navigate complex international relations were instrumental in achieving many of America's goals.

After thoroughly examining the book, it is difficult to determine Isaacson's stance on Kissinger. The biography presents a balanced view, highlighting both his achievements and his flaws. While some segments paint a negative picture of Kissinger, others are highly supportive of his abilities.

Overall, this biography offers a wealth of knowledge and insight into one of the most influential figures in American politics. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the 1960s and 70s or in the role of the United States in the Cold War. Kudos to Mr. Isaacson for this outstanding piece of work.