Kissinger: A Biography: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|1992 book by Walter Isaacson}} |
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'''''Kissinger: A Biography''''' is a non-fiction book authored by [[Walter Isaacson]]. Published by [[Simon & Schuster]], the [[Biography|bigophical analysis of [[Henry Kissinger]] has received positive reviews from publications such as ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name=barth>http://movies2.nytimes.com/books/98/12/06/specials/isaacson-kissinger.html</ref> |
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Barth Healey of ''[[The New York Times]]'' remarked that for Kissinger "aficionados" the book "makes [for] compulsive reading" and that "for students of his years of influence on United States foreign policy" the book becomes "compulsory".<ref name=barth/> |
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{{Infobox book |
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|name = Kissinger: A Biography |
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|image = File:Kissinger_(Walter_Isaacson_book).jpg |
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|caption = First edition hardcover image |
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|author = [[Walter Isaacson]] |
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|country = United States |
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|language = English |
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|subject = [[Henry Kissinger]] |
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|publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] |
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|published = 1992 |
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|pages = 893 |
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|isbn = |
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}} |
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'''''Kissinger: A Biography''''' is a non-fiction book authored by [[United States|American]] historian and journalist [[Walter Isaacson]]. Published by [[Simon & Schuster]] in 1992, the [[Biography|biographical]] analysis of prominent public official [[Henry Kissinger]] has received positive reviews from publications such as ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'' and ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name=draper>{{cite news|authorlink=Theodore Draper|url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/books/98/12/06/specials/isaacson-kissinger.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 6, 1992|accessdate=April 6, 2020|title=Little Heinz And Big Henry|first=Theodore|last=Draper}}</ref><ref name=foreign>{{cite journal|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/1992-09-01/kissinger-biography|title=Kissinger: A Biography|date=Fall 1992|journal=[[Foreign Affairs]]|first=William G.|last=Hyland|volume=71|issue=4|page=197|doi=10.2307/20045321|jstor=20045321|accessdate=April 6, 2020|authorlink=William G. Hyland}}</ref> |
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==Background and contents== |
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{{expand section|date=April 2020}} |
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The author had previously served as a journalist with ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and become one of that magazine's editors as well as co-written, with [[Evan Thomas]], the [[Cold War]] chronicle ''[[The Wise Men (book)|The Wise Men]]''.<ref name=draper/> |
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Isaacson started out writing the book with considerable personal access not only to Kissinger himself but to multiple associates of the public figure. The author additionally used a wide variety of political documents from Kissinger's many years of public service. Despite this close association, Isaacson insisted on maintaining his independence over the final work.<ref name=draper/> One reviewer later noted that the book constituted the first "full-scale biography of the former secretary of state that examines not only his public life and policy but his origins and his activities since leaving office."<ref name=foreign/> |
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In broad terms, the author states that Kissinger's promotion of particular foreign policies, including aggressive regime change efforts in different nations, contributed to a general victory for the [[Western world|Western bloc]] during the [[Cold War]]. However, Isaacson finds that Kissinger significantly moved away from previously held [[Ideal (ethics)|ethical ideals]] and severely compromised America's world standing as well, with said foreign efforts undermining the cause of [[Democracy|democratic government]] and [[human rights]]. The author views Kissinger as having achieved the [[American dream]] and amassed considerable [[Power (sociology)|power]] at the expense of not just intellectual [[honesty]] but general [[personal character]].<ref name=draper/> |
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==Reception== |
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{{expand section|date=April 2020}} |
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Historian and journalist [[Theodore Draper]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that for Kissinger "aficionados" the book "makes [for] compulsive reading" and that "for students of his years of influence on United States foreign policy" the book becomes "compulsory". Remarking upon Kissinger's willingness to assist Isaacson with research as well as the official's lack of insistence on controlling the final product, Draper commented, "Cooperating with Mr. Isaacson may come to seem one of his greatest miscalculations."<ref name=draper/> Writing for ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'', journalist and public official [[William G. Hyland]] praised the book as well. Hyland stated that Isaacson possessed a style "with an engaging flair" while still having achieved "a balanced objectivity".<ref name=foreign/> |
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Reporter [[Peter Jennings]] of [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] commented that the book "[c]onfirms Kissinger's place as one of the great international players" yet "takes him down a peg as well". Jennings additionally stated that it "makes for compulsive reading."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Kissinger/Walter-Isaacson/9780743286978|accessdate=April 12, 2020|title=Kissinger - Book by Walter Isaacson - Official Publisher Page|publisher=[[SimonAndSchuster.com]]|date=September 27, 2005|isbn=9780743286978|last1=Isaacson|first1=Walter}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Books|Politics|United States}} |
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*[[1992 in literature]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*[https://www.c-span.org/video/?32833-1/kissinger-biography ''Booknotes'' interview with Isaacson on ''Kissinger'' - September 27, 1992] |
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{{Walter Isaacson}} |
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[[Category:American political books]] |
[[Category:American political books]] |
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[[Category:English-language books]] |
[[Category:English-language books]] |
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[[Category:Books about politics of the United States]] |
[[Category:Books about politics of the United States]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Henry Kissinger]] |
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[[Category:Books by Walter Isaacson]] |
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[[Category:Biographies about American Jews]] |
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{{Stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 17:05, 9 September 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2020) |
.jpg) First edition hardcover image | |
| Author | Walter Isaacson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Henry Kissinger |
| Published | 1992 |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 893 |
Kissinger: A Biography is a non-fiction book authored by American historian and journalist Walter Isaacson. Published by Simon & Schuster in 1992, the biographical analysis of prominent public official Henry Kissinger has received positive reviews from publications such as Foreign Affairs and The New York Times.[1][2]
Background and contents
[edit]![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2020) |
The author had previously served as a journalist with Time and become one of that magazine's editors as well as co-written, with Evan Thomas, the Cold War chronicle The Wise Men.[1]
Isaacson started out writing the book with considerable personal access not only to Kissinger himself but to multiple associates of the public figure. The author additionally used a wide variety of political documents from Kissinger's many years of public service. Despite this close association, Isaacson insisted on maintaining his independence over the final work.[1] One reviewer later noted that the book constituted the first "full-scale biography of the former secretary of state that examines not only his public life and policy but his origins and his activities since leaving office."[2]
In broad terms, the author states that Kissinger's promotion of particular foreign policies, including aggressive regime change efforts in different nations, contributed to a general victory for the Western bloc during the Cold War. However, Isaacson finds that Kissinger significantly moved away from previously held ethical ideals and severely compromised America's world standing as well, with said foreign efforts undermining the cause of democratic government and human rights. The author views Kissinger as having achieved the American dream and amassed considerable power at the expense of not just intellectual honesty but general personal character.[1]
Reception
[edit] | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2020) |
Historian and journalist Theodore Draper of The New York Times wrote that for Kissinger "aficionados" the book "makes [for] compulsive reading" and that "for students of his years of influence on United States foreign policy" the book becomes "compulsory". Remarking upon Kissinger's willingness to assist Isaacson with research as well as the official's lack of insistence on controlling the final product, Draper commented, "Cooperating with Mr. Isaacson may come to seem one of his greatest miscalculations."[1] Writing for Foreign Affairs, journalist and public official William G. Hyland praised the book as well. Hyland stated that Isaacson possessed a style "with an engaging flair" while still having achieved "a balanced objectivity".[2]
Reporter Peter Jennings of ABC News commented that the book "[c]onfirms Kissinger's place as one of the great international players" yet "takes him down a peg as well". Jennings additionally stated that it "makes for compulsive reading."[3]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Draper, Theodore (September 6, 1992). "Little Heinz And Big Henry". The New York Times. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c Hyland, William G. (Fall 1992). "Kissinger: A Biography". Foreign Affairs. 71 (4): 197. doi:10.2307/20045321. JSTOR 20045321. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Isaacson, Walter (September 27, 2005). Kissinger - Book by Walter Isaacson - Official Publisher Page. SimonAndSchuster.com. ISBN 9780743286978. Retrieved April 12, 2020.