Scan barcode
myanagis's review
A little long, didnt have time/patience to finish. Maybe will pick back up later
blasphemer's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Henry Kissinger was one of the primer experts on China. This book presents a deep and thoughtful analysis of China with the intent to press a cooperative coexistence and evolution of the Sino-U.S. relationship.
tagoreketabkhane31's review
4.0
Regardless of your views on the foreign policy stances of Secretary Kissinger, it cannot be ignored that he still remains one of the most influential figures in U.S. - Sino relations in the twentieth century. Kissinger gives a full account on his views of the PRC (People's Republic of China) and the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and how they view the international community that they are in, and the motivations of the government behind their policies and practices, both on domestic and international fronts. While many of the position points are his opinion formed by his interactions with his Chinese counterparts both in official and unofficial capacities, the book still remains an excellent read for those attempting to understand the role that the Chinese as a nation state under the CCP was formed and shaped by events to their role when the book was published.
guywhelon's review
4.0
For someone like me who isn't much into non-fiction, this is relatively readable. Kissinger gives some interesting anecdotes to describe his points, and the detail on Mao is especially interesting. The novel is undoubtedly biased, Kissinger almost treads on egg shells at some points, but I like this approach, he doesn't necessarily sway either way, which helps the reader to make their own decisions about the information presented.
Aside from this, the book is a fascinating approach to Chinese history (Mostly post 1900's) mainly in reference to Economic policy and the attitude to foreign intervention. Many people have stated that the book reads a little too personal by Kissinger's point of view, but I think this can't help but be the case given his presence in China when US/China relations were developing.
I recommend this book if you're interested in the US and China's relationship, as well as the decades leading up to China's current position, with an especial focus of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong, and also those you might not have heard of before, that was the case for me at least. :)
Aside from this, the book is a fascinating approach to Chinese history (Mostly post 1900's) mainly in reference to Economic policy and the attitude to foreign intervention. Many people have stated that the book reads a little too personal by Kissinger's point of view, but I think this can't help but be the case given his presence in China when US/China relations were developing.
I recommend this book if you're interested in the US and China's relationship, as well as the decades leading up to China's current position, with an especial focus of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong, and also those you might not have heard of before, that was the case for me at least. :)
shu_long's review
5.0
I’m giving this book 5 stars because of its uniqueness and the value of its personal interpretation of events, the many direct quotes and examples given, and the the author’s obvious importance in the last 40 years of world history. That is not to say this is a perfect book. It’s is peculiar to itself and worth the read.
As someone who has studied and lived in China, though after the periods referred to in the book for the most part, I find many of his explanations and analysis to be worthy of serious consideration and based on historical fact with consideration of the ancient and modern Chinese consciousness. Do I agree with everything? No. This book would have been too tame and timid if every statement expressed in its pages were wholly supported by all readers.
I anticipate, from a quick scan of other reviews, that some will find the author rather laudatory towards several of the Chinese leaders mentioned. He does show respect, something the American republic is often hesitant to do towards any foreign leader or even our own; however, you will find he writes with similar respect towards American leaders of similar time periods and it is impossible to write clear facts in some cases, without it being assumed that credit is being given.
The author has a very well realized concept of the stumbling blocks, cultural tripping points and shear weight of history that face any combination of leaders from China and the U.S. as they try to step forward into the future. In many cases, it seems that he is refraining from judgement or attempting to put forth facts that the general public with its media pipeline of information, may not have considered. One must read this book for its value as a statement of viewpoint and personally experienced event, understood from one man’s perspective. It is useful, in and of itself; all accounts of history have a perspective unique to the telling and the study of what it perceived or advertised is nearly as important as the event themselves. Consider Ramesses II and his carving commemorating the defeat of the Hittites at Kadesh.
As someone who has studied and lived in China, though after the periods referred to in the book for the most part, I find many of his explanations and analysis to be worthy of serious consideration and based on historical fact with consideration of the ancient and modern Chinese consciousness. Do I agree with everything? No. This book would have been too tame and timid if every statement expressed in its pages were wholly supported by all readers.
I anticipate, from a quick scan of other reviews, that some will find the author rather laudatory towards several of the Chinese leaders mentioned. He does show respect, something the American republic is often hesitant to do towards any foreign leader or even our own; however, you will find he writes with similar respect towards American leaders of similar time periods and it is impossible to write clear facts in some cases, without it being assumed that credit is being given.
The author has a very well realized concept of the stumbling blocks, cultural tripping points and shear weight of history that face any combination of leaders from China and the U.S. as they try to step forward into the future. In many cases, it seems that he is refraining from judgement or attempting to put forth facts that the general public with its media pipeline of information, may not have considered. One must read this book for its value as a statement of viewpoint and personally experienced event, understood from one man’s perspective. It is useful, in and of itself; all accounts of history have a perspective unique to the telling and the study of what it perceived or advertised is nearly as important as the event themselves. Consider Ramesses II and his carving commemorating the defeat of the Hittites at Kadesh.
lunabear33's review
4.0
Kissinger is one of my favourite authors when it comes to political and diplomatic history, this is a must-read for anyone interested in China
bucketoffish's review
5.0
This is a great geopolitical history of modern China, written by someone who played a major role in shaping relations between China and the United States. The amount of behind-the-scenes detail provided, including secret communications between leaders of the two countries, was extremely fascinating and provided a peak into what really happens in high-level diplomatic discussions between heads of state. It was especially interesting to me to see how leaders in both China and the US would say one thing to appease their publics, while saying something completely different in secret. It made me realize that national interests trump ideology in real geopolitical dealings, to the point where the latter is essentially just there for public consumption.