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Walter Isaacson

Kissinger: A Biography Hardcover – September 16, 1992

by Walter Isaacson (Author)

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A biography of the political figure, based on more than 150 interviews with Kissinger and others, chronicles his childhood in Nazi Germany, his rise in politics, his political relationships, and more. 75,000 first printing. Major ad/promo. First serial, Vanity Fair. Reader's Digest Cond Bks. Tour.

Print length

893 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

September 16, 1992
Dimensions

6.5 x 2 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

0671663232
ISBN-13

978-0671663230
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fullest account of Kissinger's life and career to date, other than for his memoirs, this massive biography provides plenty of ammunition for the former Secretary of State's supporters and detractors. Growing up in Nazi Germany as an Orthodox Jew, Kissinger faced beatings and virulent anti-Semitism, and in Isaacson's view these burdened him with lifelong feelings of insecurity and distrust, as well as a yearning for stability and order. Isaacson, assistant managing editor of Time , sees Kissinger as the foremost American negotiator of this century, but one whose furtive, conspiratorial, at times deceitful personality shaped his conservative realpolitik and diplomatic maneuvering. He maintains that Kissinger's foreign policy, rooted in stealth and surprise, mirrored and reinforced the darker side of his increasingly jealous patron, President Nixon, and goes on to reveal how Chief of Staff Alexander Haig undercut his rival. He also pierces the secretive world of Kissinger's lucrative, globetrotting post-White House career as a business consultant. A spooky, engrossing portrait of the only European-style realist ever to guide U.S. foreign policy. Photos. First serial to Vanity Fair; BOMC main selection; QPB and History Book Club alternates; Reader's Digest Condensed Book selection; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Isaacson, assistant managing editor of Time , has produced much more than another unauthorized biography, giving extensive insights into the younger years of Heinz Kissinger in Bavaria and how they shaped his character, his style in dealing with others, and his worldview. Over 150 interviews with Kissinger intimates, enemies, subordinates, and the man himself generate a less-than-flattering portrayal of the man behind the intellect and the myths. Isaacson covers Kissinger's Americanization, his use of Harvard ties to enhance his career, his forays into the stratosphere of the Council on Foreign Relations (NY), and his Washington years and exploits. He also examines Kissinger's ill-fated negotiations with the North Vietnamese, empire building as national security assistant, shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East, arms control efforts, and later years as private citizen and consultant. While there are other excellent Kissinger biographies (Stephen Graubard's Kissinger , LJ 6/1/73; John Stoessinger's Henry Kissinger: The Anguish of Power , LJ 9/15/76; Bruce Mazlich's Kissinger: The European Mind in American Policy , LJ 9/15/76), this work is the best to date on Henry K. Superstar. Essential for general libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/92.
- Frank Kessler, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A critical but resolutely objective and utterly fascinating biography of the guileful, egocentric geopolitical scientist who became America's most celebrated secretary of state. Drawing on access to his subject's private papers, family members, friends, and foes, as well as on archival sources, Isaacson (an assistant managing editor at Time; coauthor, The Wise Men, 1986) offers an authoritative and comprehensive account. Tracking Kissinger from his boyhood as a persecuted Jew in Nazi Germany through his current estate as a globe-trotting business consultant who turns 70 next May, the author notes that Kissinger has displayed a knack for attracting influential patrons throughout his career. This talent served Kissinger well as an Army intelligence operative during WW II, at Harvard (where he earned a Ph.D. and professorship), and as a cold-war strategist who made a name for himself advising think tanks and government agencies. Latching on to an ultimate sponsor, he joined the Nixon Administration in 1969; survived Watergate largely unscathed; gained worldwide fame (plus a Nobel Peace Prize) for negotiating an end to the Vietnam War; and won even greater renown for feats of shuttle diplomacy in Africa, the Mideast, and elsewhere. While Isaacson gives Kissinger full marks for his many accomplishments in foreign policy, he minces few words in recounting the secretiveness, devotion to Realpolitik, and personal insecurities that gained Kissinger a reputation for Dr. Strangelove-like duplicity. Although Kissinger consistently had the courage of his conviction--that those engaged in statecraft must deal with ambiguities and accommodations--Isaacson concludes that a general perception of Kissinger's ruthlessness frequently cost him dearly owing to Americans' allegiance to human rights, democratic principles, the rule of international law, and other idealistic values. An evenhanded, warts-and-all portrait of a larger-than-life individual who has left his mark behind. (Sixteen pages of b&w photographs--not seen.) (Book-of-the-Month Dual Selection for October) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; 1st edition (September 16, 1992)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 893 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671663232
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671663230
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.9 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 2 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #414,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #494 in United States National Government
- #1,538 in Political Leader Biographies

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Walter Isaacson

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Walter Isaacson, University Professor of History at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chairman of CNN, and editor of Time magazine. He is the author of Leonardo da Vinci; Steve Jobs; Einstein: His Life and Universe; Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; and Kissinger: A Biography. He is also the coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

304 global ratings

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4 star		19%
3 star		9%
2 star		3%
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Harry ARTN

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 6, 2009

Verified Purchase

21st Century will be different, hopefully the US will make a big difference
Knowledge becomes Evil if the aim be not virtuous

President "David" Dwight Eisenhower, Mandate for Change, (1963)
It was generally conceded that had an election been held, Ho Chi MINH would have been elected Premier ... I have never talked or corresponded with a person knowledgeable in Indochinese affairs who did not agree that had elections been held as of the time of the fighting, possibly 80 per cent of the population would have voted for the Communist Ho Chi MINH as their leader.

Nguyen Ai Quoc: It was patriotism, not communism, that inspired me. I only follow one Party: The Vietnamese Party. Ho Chi MINH

"The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end."
Leon Trotsky, Leon Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein on November 7, 1879

What was VC? Was it a He, or may be was a She? Were they raping your little girl? Were they holding an M16 aims at your children and women? Were they stealing your money from you bank accounts? Were he and she a threat your family and nation? What was so bad being VC? No one here realized what a VC was, may be a VC has so much responsibility protecting his/her, and or the nation's identity and independence? A VC borrows an American Declaration of Independence on their behalf to win the heart of the nation and world. I am telling you that a VC has a family, a mum and dad and sibling and a job protecting like any other American patriots. Many VC were Buddhism, Catholic, Ancestor Worship, Muslim, Cao Dai, Protestant, even Anglican. To the eye of the American people VC were bad and should be killed... a VC was a Vietnamese freedom fighter for their own right to be ruled and governed by themselves and similar to the American who fought against the British for your independence.
Cally, I do not know how you can go on living for what you did, everyone here has the right to talk; some were angry and some do not have a clue, but what you really should do is looking for method to enable to forgive yourself and free from your soul. The Vietnamese are willing forgive you what has happened, but can you forgive yourself? All I know that you have the courage to keep yourself all this long deep in your heart and soul.
Have you ever read any history of Vietnam under different Dynasty; many former kings later went on to become Buddhist monks to ask for their soul to be forgiven for what they did, and even though they were the protectors of our nation from invasions and killed only the enemy.

PEACE IS THE ONLY METHOD TO FORGIVE YOU ....
Edwin Tran
[...]

Although history was not kind to Vietnam, Vietnam still wants to have a good relationship with the US.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jesus L Gutierrez

Kissinger: A Biography

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 8, 2011

Verified Purchase

What Pavarotti represents to music, Einstein to physics, and Freud to psychology, Dr. Henry Kissinger represents to diplomacy.
In this biographical book, Isaacson combines his skills of being a good researcher and an excellent writer using an elegant style with the art of Michelangelo to paint a beautiful description of Dr. Kissinger's unique personality.
From this book,the reader will learn how Dr. Kissinger skillfully applied three techniques in his diplomatic endeavors. First, Dr. Kissinger compared old historical world events to the challenges with which he was dealing in foreign affairs during the time he served under former presidents Richard M Nixon and Gerald Ford. Second, Dr. Kissinger associated or linked world events at that time to shape foreign policy,looking forward to leading America to awakening and to learning about the European diplomacy of balance of power. And third,one of the main contributions of the author is to reveal how Dr. Kissinger'a ego interrelated with other large egos,such as Nixon,Mao,Brezhnev, as well as with other domestic and international figures. Dr. Kissinger played the role of a psychoanalyst,and the rest of the egos were treated by him with respect as if they were his patients,in the sence that all of them developed strong,deep,ambivalent emotions of admiration and hate we can perceive throughout Issacson's excellent book.However.everyone respect Dr. Kissinger's realistic analysis of national interest and his contributions to living in a world where international eagles can be restrained by a new international order that is in the process of being finalized.
After reading this interesting book,you will understand how Kissinger's personal diplomatic style shaped the United States's foreign policy and world leaders'decisions: as well,you will understand why he is strongly admired and well respected among leaders from different cultures. The legacy and homework for others is how to conduct a diplomatic policy away from the traditional dogmas wherever they arise.
You will learn from this book how Dr. Kissinger's historical perspective helped him interpret and act in world events and,above all,how he skillfully negotiated with world leaders and persuaded them to arrive at a negotiated, realistic agreement which would be accepted by the parties involved as a fair one.

Finally,the author presents a well-balanced analysis of Dr. Kissinger's personal strenghts and flaws. I would say that, most likely, Dr. Kissinger is aware of both. Being an expert in balance of power among nations, he must have a deep inner understanding of how to balance and manage his own strenghts and flaws. Otherwise,he would not be able to operate so succesfully at the domestic and at the international levels.

3 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Kissinger the most horrible man i have read aboutx

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 30, 2016

Verified Purchase

I wish I knew where to start. I was a child during kissinger hey day. So I thought I would read the biography of the man that was Secretary of state to one and a half presidents. This is a well researched book and by no means is it a bright breezy biography. I'm 140 pages in as of the writing of this review. To say I knew nothing of the subject matter isn't quite true I lived in a house where my mother saying get off my tv you arrogant Jew bastard was a nightly occurance. To say my mother hated kissinger would be an understatement and as an adult I find her hatred of people tirsome at best. But after reading what I have of this biography for once I find her assessment spot on. Kissinger is mean arrogant and horrible to the people who care about him. He is a social climber in the worse sense of the word. I despise him for the way he and other men have used first wives to get what they desire wealth,education,stature. What they feel will advance THEIR career. Then when they've reached the top the dutiful wife that has worked two jobs kept house and made it possible for the husband to attain HIS goals is no longer suitable to mingle in her husband's social circle. So she is discarded like rubbish. Now the newly minted PhD is free to find the arm candy that will nod politely at snobby cocktail parties and host her own snobby party. Not to mention bring her own truckload of money with her name. Kissinger is and ugly (both physically and morally) inveterate social climber that seeks highest social circles so he can be flattered and fawned over. He's not brilliant he's stupid to the utmost because he fails to give people the respect that he wants for himself. Will I finish the 770 page book the answer is yes and I will have learned what not to be and how not to treat people

9 people found this helpful

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Tipu Sultan

Supremely excellent!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

A supremely excellent book, gives a unique insight into the great man's life and times.

h c

This is great. I was interested in this book primarily because ...

Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on December 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is great.I was interested in this book primarily because Kissinger is seen in the Indian Subcontinent as a villain who was indirectly responsible for the genocide in Bangladesh. Kissinger tried his best to prevent the victory of India in 1971 war with Pakistan and his vile diplomacy will go down as a terrible chapter in modern American history.Kissinger tried to prevent the disintegration of Pakistan, which was already a failed state by 1970.He wanted to become a modern Machiavelli but he ended up as a cohort of Mao tse tung. Kissinger will go down in history with the ignominy of defeat and an insulting end , with dollops of glamour and media glare.
Kissinger primarily suffered from the memories of his childhood and never recovered from the insecurity he faced in German occupation.He never helped the state of Israel even though he is a Jew.He remains one of the most controversial diplomats of the twentieth century who ultimately failed to do justice to the trust reposed upon him by America.

14 people found this helpful

Christian

Naja

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on May 18, 2014

Verified Purchase

Vielleicht liegt es an den Übersetzer, aber ich finde es etwas zäh. Sehr konzentriertes Lesen ist notwendig im Gegensatz zu seinem Werk über Steven Jobs.
Ich lese zur Zeit Einstein nebenbei im Original und finde es trotz AE leichter zu lesen.
Fazit: Buch wahrscheinlich i.O., Übersetzung eher misslungen, hier wurde eine bessere Übersetzung vielleicht dem Werke gut tun.

One person found this helpful

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Chris Maes

Very good read

Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on January 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

Very good read indeed, especially perhaps for someone who was a young adult like me when Dr. Kissinger and his shuttle diplomacy was on every news show on the planet.
Interesting and credible character descriptions of the characters involved: Kissinger of course, but also Nixon, Ford, Haldeman, and all the other players involved in Watergate, Vietnam, Cold War, and the thawing of relations with China as a counter balance to Soviet antagonism.
US-Iraeli relations are also discussed at length in the broader setting of perceived US interest in the Middle East.
Funny to get the hindsight of good policy decisions for the wrong reasons.
How brilliant minds get influenced by twisted personality and personal ambition and paranoia.

One person found this helpful

marina de bernard

pessimo

Reviewed in Italy 🇮🇹 on November 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

Il libro è arrivato senza copertina e con numerose pagine piegate all'interno

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