glennmiller5309's review against another edition
5.0
Does the world need a 600-page book on Richard Holbrooke? Does Holbrooke merit a book of that length? In the capable and entertaining hands of George Packer, yes and yes. The best biographies are as much about a given person as they are about the times in which that person lived. Packer delivers on both counts -- Our Man is well-balanced between a detailed description of American foreign policy over the last 60 years and the tragicomic soap opera that was Richard Holbrooke's life. The book is roughly broken into thirds -- the Vietnam era, the Balkan wars of the 1990s, and Afghanistan. Packer writes like a novelist -- he sprinkles clues and foreshadowings throughout for payoff at a later point in the book. Disappointingly, the one teasing clue he included which had no solution were the multiple references to -- and quotes from -- "a younger woman" with whom Holbrooke had an affair. The reader can only guess at the identity.
docjh's review against another edition
4.0
Despite overusing first-person narrative (inserting himself into the story), the author has produced a very readable biography of one of the most fascinating US figures of the past 50 years. The book also covers some fascinating historical moments which await more thorough analysis in the future.
hemingshea's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Amazing blend of personal and US history. Probably the best biography I've ever read.
bloodyfool0's review against another edition
3.0
It is a giant of a book. Much too long in my opinion and too much talk about his personal affairs. The work done in Vietnam, Bosnia and Af-Pak should have taken centre stage. The book is interesting in the manner in which Holbrooke conducted himself in the administration. It would have been most interesting if he had indeed been able to sit in a position of real power rather than at the fringes. He worked hard on world order and trying to clean up the messy directionless US foreign policy. It is a good read for the most part but way too long as it spends much time on his personal affairs and relationships.
davidfranklin88's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars. I loved this book: the best biography I’ve read. George Packer takes us through his rapid ascent from a precocious 21-year-old in Vietnam, through to his apex in ending the Bosnian war, to his decline under Obama in which he seemed a product of a bygone age. The optimism, the achievement, the frustration: all mirroring the decline of American power in the same period. The writing is electric, and the asides in which Packer speaks straight at the reader and fires off a piece of razor-sharp insight are a treat.
Holbrooke was never Secretary of State because he upset too many people. But it was the truth that hurt them, not his arrogance. Tony Lake, whose volatile relationship with Holbrooke is charted brilliantly by Packer, had it right when he conceded that “what Holbrooke wants attention for is what he’s doing, not what he is”. Holbrooke’s energy was directed towards doing what was right, and he was right for most of his life. Packer is right to say there may never be another Holbrooke: a multipolar world will not have space for such a force of nature.
Holbrooke was never Secretary of State because he upset too many people. But it was the truth that hurt them, not his arrogance. Tony Lake, whose volatile relationship with Holbrooke is charted brilliantly by Packer, had it right when he conceded that “what Holbrooke wants attention for is what he’s doing, not what he is”. Holbrooke’s energy was directed towards doing what was right, and he was right for most of his life. Packer is right to say there may never be another Holbrooke: a multipolar world will not have space for such a force of nature.
ariel_bloomer's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Hate crime, Colonisation, and Infidelity
Minor: Genocide and Sexual violence
blakeschltz's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.5
I walked away from this book appreciating the insights into a life involved in politics more than any particular opinion or feeling towards Richard Holbrooke. I appreciated how it had some ties to other recent biographies I’ve read but beyond that, I don’t walk away profoundly moved in any way by this book.