Diplomacy
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About this ebook
Simon Schama in the NEW YORKER
Spanning more than three centuries, from Cardinal Richelieu to the fragility of the 'New World Order', DIPLOMACY is the now-classic history of international relations by the former Secretary of State and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Kissinger's intimate portraits of world leaders, many from personal experience, provide the reader with a unique insight into what really goes on -- and why -- behind the closed doors of the corridors of power.
'Budding diplomats and politicians should read it as avidly as their predecessors read Machiavelli'
Douglas Hurd in the DAILY TELEGRAPH
'If you want to pay someone a compliment, give them Henry Kissinger's DIPLOMACY ... It is certainly one of the best, and most enjoyable [books] on international relations past and present ... DIPLOMACY should be read for the sheer historical sweep, the characterisations, the story-telling, the ability to look at large parts of the world as a whole'
Malcolm Rutherford in the FINANCIAL TIMES
Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger was the fifty-sixth Secretary of State. Born in Germany, Dr. Kissinger came to the United States in 1938 and was naturalized a US citizen in 1943. He served in the US Army in Europe in World War Two and attended Harvard University on a scholarship, where he later became a member of the faculty. Among the awards he has received are the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Medal of Liberty. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut.
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Reviews for Diplomacy
240 ratings11 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book unfortunately has a misleading title, as it is much more about history than about diplomacy itself. But that is not necessarily a problem, as it still has a lot to offer. Henry Kissinger, with his background in foreign affairs going back to almost the end of World War II and his academic origins has a lot to offer, both in detailed knowledge, engaging narrative and an interesting way of weaving historic trends together not necessarily in chronological order.The only thing that I did not find quite so excellent was a trend to impose his own position on his description of event that he participated in. This has led to a definitely POV narrative where a bit of academic distance would have better served, and a certain disregard of contemporary event not involving the author, in particular the Carter administration, which certainly has diplomatic content that he could have expanded on.It might have been better to make this a true history book, keeping to past events. But it is certainly a worthwhile if quite voluminous read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Useful insight analysis.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Do not take seriously any economist, historian, diplomat speaking on the 20th century or the current state of the nations who has not read this book! Of course, many may not agree with some of Kissinger's conclusions, but I doubt there are many who could rival his insight and analysis of the conflicts and leaders who shaped the world we have now. I also think this would be an excellent foundation for any negotiator. Seeing the detailed styles, techniques and mistakes of those we depended on in international negotiations would replace years of experience (mistakes), even for individual or minor negotiations.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5With all of the controversy that still surrounds Kissinger's policies, that book makes me think he should have been a fine historian. Lucid and invigorating analysis of complex international relations issues.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A very informative and well-researched book, Diplomacy can get tedious at times. This is why I only recommend this to those who are really interested in the topic. Otherwise, you might be tempted to skip chapters just to finish reading this book
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I will not say which highly placed government official called this book a sleeper, and unless you're an international relations freak, this is exactly the book you need guaranteed to do in a few minutes what a nice cup of tea (and a sleeping pill) before bed will. That is, if you like to sleep with this tome on your nightstand.But since I am an international relations freak, I found this book extremely informative with enough subject matter for one of those um, dinner conversations where you're too polite to throw cutleries at each other when you don't agree on things but deliver your opinions with knife precision anyway. And should there be someone unfortunate enough to enter my bedroom unannounced, this book with its dimension and weight also makes for good self defense material. ´nuff said.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Masterpiece. Truly impressive, though of course biased by Kissingers personal views. Should be on the pillow of every statesman. A huge argument for the compulsory teaching of International Relations History to anyone concerned with the "res publica".
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a hefty book so it took me a long time to read but Henry Kissinger was extremely thorough in his research and details. There is a large amount of information in this book, and it covers diplomacy worldwide, not just American diplomacy, which I liked. It could get a little dry from time to time but I'm glad I waded through the book.If you are interested in international relations and diplomacy, then this would be an excellent book for you. Just be prepared for it to take a long time to get through.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5An interesting reference. An even better cure for insomnia.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I think the previous reviewer really was off the mark. Examining Diplomacy as a moral treatise in international foreign policy is much like speedreading through Immanuel Kant. You're missing the point.Diplomacy examines the evolution of international foreign policy, mainly from the balance-of-power perspective, starting with the Vienna Congress and analyzing its "Pax Europa" that it established up until the First World War. Then it examines, critiques, and analyzes 20th century foreign policy in the United States, with discussions of World War II, Potsdam, Korea, and of course Vietnam. Personally I strongly urge people to skip the Vietnam chapters, as they're so glossed over with omissions because of his criminal liability in certain parts of the globe as to make them fairly bland. If you want a good commentary on power politics and realist foreign policy to either critique or understand realist policy, here it is. If, like Haelius you love Carter-era/U.N. foreign policy methodology and think any other method is morally analogous to fellating Shaitan, you will probably hate this book.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Probably the worst book I've started to read on diplomacy; a complete waste of paper. He is so far from reality, in so many areas, that I quit reading the book and only skimmed through the rest of it. I cannot understand anyone entrusting the fate of a nation to someone holding these ideas/ideals. Having lived in many states (of the USA), several other countries, and in speaking with numerous friends from around the globe, my personal opinion is: this man's extrememly distorted view of reality can only be relied upon to be a clear picture of what will NOT work.