Rating: 
Summary: Kissinger War Criminal
Review: if you want the evil truth about Dr K and how he undermined the 1968 peace talks, read "No Peace, No Honor: Nixon, Kissinger, and Betrayal in Vietnam" by Larry Berman.
This book explains how Nixon and Kissinger illegally colluded with SVN and Nguyen Van Thieu - he was told by Nixon via Anna Chenault to "hold on, we are going to win" and "you will get a better deal with us". So Thieu says he won't talk peace, Nixon wins, Kissinger openly changes sides after working with the Democrats, and together they crank up the war.
The point is: The War could have ended in 1968 if it were not for this man - Dr Death himself, Henry Adolf Kissinger!
Rating: 
Summary: Diplomacy" Defines World Arena
Review:
One assumes a good understanding of world history to read the "Diplomacy" by Henry Kissinger. In this wonderful book, the author streamlines the history of modern world politics and international policies through a documentary-like depiction of world diplomacy. In an unique perspective, Kissinger writes this book through eyes of diplomats, how they strive for the international goal set by their country, how policies initiates the interaction and sentiments among the world community, and how previous leaders' agreements produces the results in modern world structure. As the book discloses, in a constant effort to create a favorable international environment, countries are constantly struggling with each other, militarily, economically, and politically through diplomacy for their goals. Thus this convoluted relation leads to war, sanctions, alliances and periodically adjusts the power-balance system in regions.
Of course, without the broad knowledge of modern world history, I think the book is difficult to digest. One got to know when and what has happened through the time before they tries to understand what the diplomacy were about. Though Kissinger includes large amount of details telling about motives of international policies and the reasoning behind leader conferences, it would be extremely arduous for one to understand the scope of world politics without knowing sequential facts of events in historical view. Kissinger's analyze of modern world structure as result of World War II and Cold War is very objective; he was excellent at writing about the constant changing tension of power balance during Cold War through an effective analytical view over Western Europe, Soviet Union, and America's political thoughts both internationally and domestically. As a senior expert in international relations, he examines the world politics with a thorough view, and paid extremely details in each conflicting nation's own domestic sentiments and politics, therefore to reason how those domestic conditions pushed forwarded an international agendas imbued of concern for selfish goals and worries of security among countries.
In this book, Kissinger offers an insider perspective, construing the history and thoughts that gradually transformed American and European Foreign Policy for hundreds of years. He defines the modern political arena as the by-product of historical struggles among conflicting powers. As we learn the come and goes of age of empires, replaced by the age of alliances and opposition alliances, world politics is aiming at power-balance and constantly adjust accordingly. When one side is too strong, the others unite together to counter it; and when one side is weak, it efforts to form a mutual relationship with other weak nations for a stronger line. When it comes to Cold War, Kissinger explicitly discloses the fear among Western Europe and the United States in the expansion of Soviet communism, and how they come together for agreements that lead to military alliance and economical integrations which erect the opposing wall against U.S.S.R. This fear, gives justification for military intervention in even small countries such as Vietnam and Korea, defines how balance is significantly important to super powers even in minor regional issues.
As the book draws to its end, it is obvious that Kissinger is pointing out that in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union; Unite States is emerging as an unchallengeable world super power. Her status as the greatest power on the Earth continues to shape world policy undisputedly and setting up an unbalanced new world order. American ideology of freedom and democracy, righteousness and the ideals of self-determination are being exported world wide just as American military power exerts tremendous amount of pressure around the globe ensuring a system of stability under the new world order. Yet, as "Diplomacy" tells stories of Cold War with records of facts and diplomatic maneuverings, United States has been wining big in world influence long before the actual collapse of Soviet Union. In an apparent contrary to USA, Soviet was establishing the power of influences through harsh military and political pressures; although its expansionist policy yields the Warsaw Pact etc, the membership of its alliance was based on coercions without will. Both America and Soviet was bearing huge amount of economic burden to offer foreign aid and assistances to other countries; however the result was different, as USA and its allies builds an integrated economy while soviet was pressing for a socialist agenda. Thus in the long run, America and her allies are growing to prosperity with a good cause, while Soviet hardship in economy and difficulties controlling the puppet governments through coercion finally leads it to collapse. That same reason American values are being flourished around globe while Soviet idealism crushed in the face of own failure.
Although Contender like Charles A. Kupchan in "The End of The American Era" offers very fundamental analysis over the integration of Europe as a new emerging super power counter-balance to the United States after the Cold War. His perspective is far from convincing. Though a more united Europe forms a stronger figure for U. S. foreign policy thinkers and practitioners to heed, the effect is very minimum. As a super nation, American economical, military power has gain its world status and puts derive on European cultures. Even with the newly integrated Europe Union, 47 out of 50 U.S. states are individually stronger than EU in term of gross domestic product. With such a hanging gap, it is doubtful that how this new European power ever offers equal pressures to United States. Meanwhile, as Kissinger's analysis shows, European powers are always pressured to form such union to bargain for their particular diplomatic goal, yet among themselves, different culture, economic struggles are constantly being present as a force to counteract their own political ties. Europe, being small geographically, is incredible diverse in their history, culture and ideology. Therefore it is hard to imagine how it would manage to overcome all the differences and really unite together as a strong figure. While that's in indefinite thoughts, America, with its vast resourceful land mass, a much bigger population, and an unchallengeable power to influence every corner in the world is a much better candidate for the leader of future as well. This hegemony status is hard to flip back easily.
I highly recommend this book as a high-level reference literature to learn about historical events in a unique perspective. This book is also great for the study of international relation, geopolitics, and political psychology as it gives a good explanation of the modern international political economy. Understanding this book will offer good background for one to understand the motives behind many international policies and domestic reforms. "Diplomacy" is extremely detailed, very sequentially and logically written; it lays out the context of world politics in an unprecedented perspective. In many aspects, this is also a marvelous material for studying political arena of the world as Kissinger offers so much primary source information in this book. This book is insightful, miraculously revealing the back bones of decision made by world leaders. Its logical reasoning is hardly disputable. As the modern world progress to a more interactive international community where one affects others as a more daily dose of practice, it would be wise to understand the conduction of diplomacy and how it synchronizes with changes around the globe.
Rating:
Summary: I was amazed Kissinger could write so well
Review: If I could give Kissinger's Diplomacy 10 stars, I certainly would. This book is extremely well written. I was amazed at how well Henry Kissinger explained 300 years of Western history and diplomacy. Because the book is so well written, I would recommend it to folks interested in history, political science, international relations, or for just interesting reading of a good book.
I found the early chapter on Woodrow Wilson's approach to American exceptionalism, which included our native idealism, collaborative successes, and mutual security and multilateral action in international affairs to be very insightful and Kissinger returns to these concepts again and again in his analysis of statescraft. Likewise in this early chapter he contrasts Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt's philosophy of action only with clear national interests in mind, a world of realpolitik. He also explains balance of power approaches and adequately demonstrated the barriers, benefits, consequences, and downside of each of these approaches. After reading this 800 page book, I am ready to sit down and start reading again. It is really that good.
There are numerous highlights but I will share a few with you.
His chapter on Richelieu and Louis XIV demonstrated how Richelieu created the first modern state to emerge from the Middle Ages. Richelieu acted to consolidate power for the French king which ran counter to the mind set of the Middle Ages. Unfortunatley, as Kissinger demonstrates, Louis XIV squanders this power with needless wars, for which his relative Louis XVI paid the ultimate price.
One section of the book, regarding the Concert of Europe after the fall of Napoleon, reveals statescraft at the heights. Metternich and Talleyrand helped create a peace that lasted over 100 years based on realistic balance of power and alliances based on common values.
The development of the German state under the power of Bismark compared to the downfall of France under Napoleon III was very interesting. Unfortunately the power of the new German state was misused in World War I.
The sections on World War I demonstrated the pattern by which military decisions and preparedness outweigh and preceed correcting diplomacy. In this section Kissinger and Tuchman offer a common view of the origins of World War I.
Kissinger and Tuchman however diverge when it comes to Vietnam. Tuckman's short crisp summary of the tragedy of Vietnam in her book The March of Folley is a very good summary, but Kissinger's chapters on Vietnam in Diplomacy certainly put meat on the bones of fact.
Finally Kissinger's analysis of his years working with Richard Nixon were real eye-openers. Richard Nixon undoubtedly had considerable gifts in the area of foreign policy which makes the tragedy of Watergate even more sad.
I just do not think anyone with half a brain would be dissatisfied with this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Memoirs of an Exceptional Diplomat
Review: Dr. Kissinger's affection for his adopted country is refreshing in this age of national self-doubt. He continuously refers to America's "exceptionalism" as embodying a new motivation in foreign affairs and in diplomacy. Now, ten years after its publication, Dr. Kissinger's book can explain how we are still so sorely misunderstood by the community of nations, and particularly by our allies. Throughout history, nations have followed policies which support their own self-interest, "realpolitik," or have created alliances against the powerful, "balance of power." Still others have cast a protective net over one geopolitical realm or another, "spheres of influence." For the first time in history, America represents a nation which has been motivated principally by doing what is right. Basing foreign policy on liberty, democracy, and self-determinatioin is the essence of "Wilsonian" statecraft, or simply "exceptionalism." As a German Jew, Dr. Kissinger was a beneficiary of America's altruism, generosity, and melting pot immigration policies. He has repaid that debt by serving America at the highest levels of government. Cynics have written that Dr. Kissinger is obsessed with crafting his own legacy. The fact is that America benefitted from his historic perspective as a representative of American exceptionalism. He played historic roles in the US' opening to China, in the negotiations to end the Vietnam war, and the policies leading to the end of the cold war. His insight corrects some past interpretations of modern American history, and can illuminate our path forward. Dr. Kissinger points out that exceptions to American exceptionalism have occured when our policies conflict with our ideals, such as in Vietnam. The bad old ways of handling foreign affairs are still standard operating procedures among our fellow nations and an enhanced understanding of them is critical if American exceptionalism is to energize our future. Dr. Kissinger has written an awe-inspiring book about the formative years of an exceptional country, and even if he does feature himself in a few chapters, he can be forgiven. He can only serve as an affirmative model for future diplomats. The more we have like him, the longer our country will serve as a champion of democracy and self-determination.
Rating:
Summary: A well written survey of 300 years of diplomatic history
Review: Diplomacy by Henry Kissinger is a masterful survey of diplomacy and the two strains that have marked its American application: realism, most associated with "Realpolitik" and in the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, and idealism, most associated with Woodrow Wilson. These tow variants of diplomatic thinking have competed with each other over the years to capture the direction of American foreign policy.
Realism focuses on a nations objective geopolitical strengths and resources and maintains that foreign policy decisions should be made in a calculating manner so as to enhance the raw power of a state. Military power, control over vital resources and unilateral actions are the hallmarks of this approach. Idealism asserts that the very heart of war is the concern over raw military power and the acquisition of control over vital resources. Collaborative organizations, mutual security and multilateral action are the characteristics of this approach.
The book focuses on the exceedingly long run up to the First World War. This begins with the Concert of Europe at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and ends with the unification of Germany and the rise of the German Empire. The Great Powers then abandon all of the shared security arrangements they had so meticulously marshaled for over 100 years and through themselves into war. Kissinger does a remarkable job of showing how military decisions and preparedness outstrip the political ability to control the fate of nations. Suddenly, nations find themselves locked into rigid and aggressive mobilization schedules and in war before the reality of the decision has been fully apprehended by the civilian leadership.
Kissinger then turns his focus to the Treaty of Versailles, the chaos of the interwar period, the rise of Nazism and the Second World War. All of this to show how the Cold War began and how this period of increasing tension and hostility between the US and the Soviet Union colored the foreign policy decisions of the US and eventually enmeshed us in the Vietnam War.
Finally, the end of the cold war and the rise of the "New World Order" is discussed. As an aside, it is amazing to me that George H.W. Bush got so much grief from the black helicopter set when he used this term. Some people assumed he was referring to some "end times" interpretation of scripture while those versed in the language of diplomacy understood he was referring to a new structure, with the demise of the Soviet Union, to the international system of power among nations.
All in all this is an incredibly well written work; a broad and complex subject treated with the assurance of a dedicated student and masterful practitioner of the discipline. Finally it is astounding how the errors, and travails of one generation of diplomats set up the conditions for war or peace for the next. Indeed, one can trace back the antecedents of the cold war to the events in the Concert of Europe.
A long and satisfying read.
John C. McKee
Rating:
Summary: A Work of Genius
Review: I'm a history buff and this is one of the most brilliant books I've ever read in terms of its insight and breadth and depth of learning. The main reason it's so good is because of the dazzlingly brilliant light it sheds on the crucial events and phenomena of the modern historical era. Kissinger doesn't just tell you what happened, he tells you why it happened in such a way to open up your eyes to new dimensions for appreciating what James Joyce called the "nightmare" of history. In short, DIPLOMACY isn't just a book; it's an education. It's not often that I've felt so intellectually rewarded after reading a book (though Richard Rhodes' THE MAKING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB, which I'm reading right now, is undoubtedly going to be another one). From a publishing standpoint, DIPLOMACY has had a rather paradoxical time of it. On one hand, if it was written by an anonymous academic rather than Kissinger, it wouldn't have had anywhere close to the audience it's had, but would then have been treated more fairly by the critics. On the other hand, because it was written by a massively controversial public figure, it's often been panned for political reasons rather than objective critical ones. However, I would implore the common reader that however he or she may happen to feel about Kissinger as a man, don't make the same mistake some of his misguided critics have made. Read the thing with an open mind, and you might just realize you've discovered a true political classic.
Rating:
Summary: U! S! A! U! S! A!
Review: This book is an excellent counterweight to so many Chomsky-esque views taught in college. I majored in Government and consistently heard Profs' philosophical umbrellas: "The Soviets never had territorial ambitions"; "The Soviets merely built up for protection from us, and for buffer zones"; "They were never a threat to anyone or our way of life." If you've heard similar views (that typically shut out debate on tangibles), this is the book for you! Starting at the WWII era (about 300 pages in:-), Kissinger makes the case for the U.S. as accidental superpower setting new standards for diplomacy -- based on concepts like democracy, self-determination, and anti-Euro-imperialism. Kissinger's stories seem straight, real, and from the center of things (often first hand). This book is an excellent source for a sweeping view of the growing US role/perspective in 20th Century affairs. It can be your source for debate points, diplomatic concepts and plays, and political history. Also try Ambrose's "Rise to Globalism."
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