A review by stefiem
World Order by Henry Kissinger

5.0

This book took forever for me to read due to my work, but it was still such a tremendous insightful book into international relations. I'm aware Henry Kissinger certainly has a bad rep, but his intellect and work experience provides some great analysis in world politics. His book goes through the birth of a concept of order in various regions - Europe, Middle East, Asia, USA - and how the cultural and historical impressions have affected power relationships today. He also details the progression of American national strategies with the idea of a worldwide moral obligation. Lastly, he notes the dramatic changes that a nuclear and digital age has on national policies. However, he totally dismisses Latin America and Africa, seemingly grouping them under the umbrellas of other powers.

Generally, Kissinger's latest work is quite profound, despite a few blind spots. For a good study in pure realism, this read is most definitely a necessity. Much is based on history and his personal work experience, but I am left in awe of his level of analysis. (Just keep in mind the lack of moral values, apparently in both book and author.)