While the book comes out to be subjective assessment of Kissinger by Walter Isaacson, the reason for me picking it was to see what is it that makes Kissinger. It is at times extremely critical of Kissinger an his actions. But his actions are also part of his philosophy as has been discussed in the book, of realpolitik. Totally loved the book. Look forward to pick another biography by the master. Going to pick 'Kissinger - The negotiator' next.

My impression of Henry Kissinger has long been that he was an incredibly manipulative and cold man who conducted foreign policy with a ruthless disregard for morality. Sideshow by William Shawcross that I read recently only reinforced that view. Walter Isaacson's biogarphy helps to put the man in perspective, and though Kissinger doesn't quite come out here as an an angel of peace and mercy, his accomplishments as a statesman get equal footing with his shortcomings as a decent human being and po...

It is too bad this book was written in 1995....would have liked to read of Isacson's take on Kissinger's view of the aftermath of 9/11 but that of course can undoubtedly be gleaned elsewhere.This book still represents a remarkable work attempting to take on one of the most enigmatic characters of recent years. This exhaustive and plainly well documented book leaves me a bit awed by Isacson's research capabilities. It is at times a bit redundant and perhaps 'preachy' in advocating various points

Lots of information to unpack in this one. I didn't enjoy it as much as Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, but I don't know if that's because I found the subject matter less interesting, or didn't relate to it as much because the events were before my memory, or just that his writing style improved and developed in the twenty years between the books... or more likely, a combination of the three.I knew very little about Kissinger, other than the name and that he was influential in politics at so...

Aside from a gnarly chapter on US-Soviet nuclear reduction programs, it's required reading for pretty much anyone interested in international diplomacy and power dynamics.

This was an amazing book. It includes amazing detail that I thought would be lost to time. The writer is A+.The topic was fascinating. This is another book I wish I had read when I was much younger. I wanted to understand who Kissinger was. Both the extreme right and extreme left think he is a curse and war criminal. He is far from either, just a man responding to causes and conditions in his life. I find myself somewhat admiring him for his intelligence, craftiness, insight and expertise. I gre...

Kissinger This biography main,y focuses on his government work, especially in the Nixon Administration. It contains a lot of information but I thought it was pretty dull in its writing. Kissinger still remains an enigma.

Walter Isaacson, who has written esteemed biographies of Benjamin Franklin, The Wise Men, and Einstein, tackles the complex character of Henry Kissinger, academic, diplomat, and consultant. Kissinger is a difficult character to pin down, as Isaacson notes. He was devious, self-promoting, self-deprecating, intelligent, ambitious, and successful. The author interviewed over 150 people--including Kissinger himself--to gather information for this lengthy volume (767 pages of text). At the outset, Is...

Kissinger was meretricious, obsequious, craven and amoral, a sociopathic liar and an egomaniac. So how did he become a celebrity, an idol, even a sex symbol? Today, accustomed to anodyne and anonymous DC wonks, we can't even imagine a "superstar diplomat".I think the reason lies in the palpable climate of fear of the Cold War-gripped 1970s. The USSR was, for all people knew, very close to conquering the world, resulting in either nuclear apocalypse or totalitarian slavery. Into that milieu stepp...

When I came here in 1938, I was asked to write an essay at George Washington High School about what it meant to be an American. I wrote that . . . I thought that this was a country where one could walk across the street with one’s head erect.—from a Kissinger farewell speech as secretary of state, January 1977 "The statement: Henry Kissinger is a war criminal, is a statement I've been making for many years. It's not a piece of rhetoric, not a metaphor, it's a job description." - Christopher

This book is sort of an introductory course in American foreign policy in itself. Isaacson delves into Kissinger's philosophy of international relations, its flaws and strengths. But, this book is not a dry academic text by any means. It is a riveting character study of Kissinger and also to a lesser extent of President Nixon. As Kissinger is quoted in the book as saying, personality shapes history. Nixon's and Kissinger's strange clashing and complementary relationship surely shaped history. As...

Short, insecure, a swinger, a global power and protege of Rockefeller that coached Donald Rumsfold. Basically, Nixon strategy found the best player and partner but not sure about who actually gave the call on the Watergate scandal. So much preoccupied with leaks, one could say that was a master of Makiaveli strategy and o global diplomacy

When Bernie Sander's ferociously challenged Hillary Clinton willingness to take input from Henry Kissinger, I was astonished. Bernie said "I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend," Sanders said angrily, when he raised the issue in the debate. "I will not take advice from Henry Kissinger." why? I have held the opinion that Kissinger was one of the most effective Secretaries of State and Foreign policy experts America has ever produced . What was Sanders talking about???A quick goo...

I've been reading Kissinger books since 2017. As someone who has been very curious about the new rising force China, about international relations, about the balance of power, I find his writing insightful.This book is about Kissinger as a person and as a politician, depicting the personality ("mixture of charm and seduction, flattery and duplicity"), his approach on Foreign Affairs (which is considered cold, calculating, manipulating, morally flawed by his critics and creative by his supporters...

This book is a 1991 bio of Kissinger by Isaacson that was re-released in 2005. I have been interested in diplomacy and diplomatic history since the time when Kissinger was first practicing his craft with Nixon. His life and accomplishments have been chronicled by many, including HK himself. Given his prolific writing and the importance of his tenure, I wondered whether there was value in reading Isaacson’s bio nearly sixty after his entry into prominence during the Vietnam war. I think there is,...

Walter Isaacson is an excellent writer, with the ability to be historically accurate, tell a good story, and provide reasoned and thoughtful analysis about the subject he is writing about. This definitely holds true for his biography of Henry Kissinger. Written in 1992, Isaacson was able to interview many of the major players (including both Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford) who worked with Kissinger while he was in office National Security Adviser and then Secretary of State. One especially well-c...

Returning to the wonderful world of political biographies, I chose to tackle another of Walter Isaacson's collection, looking at Henry Kissinger. Isaacson traces Kissinger's humble beginnings in Germany through to his meteoric rise through the American political stratosphere, concentrated in the Nixon and Ford White Houses. Throughout the book, numerous storylines present three distinct themes in Kissinger's life: the stellar academic, the megalomaniacal fiend, and the astute statesman. Isaacson...

At first I was hesitant about reading a biography of Henry Kissinger because I was concerned about what kind of author could grasp the complexities of Kissinger’s times, his expertise in foreign relations, and personal nuances. However, after reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, I decided to give him a chance. I was not disappointed. Walter Isaacson has proved to be well up to the task of examining Kissinger’s decisions in the tactical, strategic, diplomatic, and moral context of h...

Let me state very clearly that when I give this book two stars it reflects only how I personally react to the book. It is very well researched, and it is thorough. Too thorough for me, or let’s put it this way, I didn’t know enough before picking it up. This made it difficult to follow. Yes, I am glad I read it, but it was a chore. Keep in mind that I enjoy books of non-fiction. I have given Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and Universe and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, all by Walter Isaacs...

An exceedingly thorough biography of a very interesting man. Kissinger's towering intellect, combined with his charm and wit made him an incredibly effective diplomat. On the other hand, his personal insecurity and scheming made him a toxic person to work with, and his amoral approach to international relations led to some extremely unfortunate outcomes.It seems clear that his brilliance, as well as his penchant for realpolitik was more suited to a world in which leaders are not answerable to th...