Diplomacy

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: "What is a revolutionary? If the answer to that question were without ambiguity, few revolutionaries would ever succeed. For revolutionaries almost always start from a position of inferior strength. They prevail because the established order is unable to grasp its own vulnerability. This is especially true when the revolutionary challenge emerges not with a march on the Bastille but in conservative garb. Few institutions have defenses against those who evoke the excpectation that they will preserve them," (p. 121).

One of my smarter impulses was buying this book. At first I was dissatisfied with it; seeing 'Diplomacy' as more a mixture of my Freshman-year Western Civ and International Relations classes. Now, supposedly older and smarter, I returned to the book over the holidays. Apparently it was waiting for me to grow up more than anything.

The brilliance of the book is in its clear emphasis on strategic points. Its historical critique has little mercy for failures to understand one's own capability and using that capability effectively. Equally important is the need to understand one's weaknesses, and know how to rectify one's situation. Thus the historical narrative and the maxims like the one quoted above are essential complements to each other. That is what makes this book increasingly important to me.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute 'must read'
Review: Described variously as a "masterpiece" and a "profound" _Diplomacy_ is a 'must read'.

Regardless of your opinion regarding his politics, there is no escaping the profound impact Henry Kissinger has had on late twentieth century strategic relations. Similarly, whether they vex or inspire you, the insights he outlines in _Diplomacy_ are consistently enlightening and regularly brilliant. A thoroughly researched and expertly presented text, _Diplomacy_ offers novices a solid introduction to the history of strategic relations and experts a challenging set of theories and interpretations. Furthermore, despite the dense and often dry nature of the history of diplomacy, Kissinger's presentation of his subject matter is accessible and compelling.

Admittedly, however, there is a flaw to the text not altogether uncommon to Kissinger's writing. He has been criticised in the past, and rightly so, for not attending adequately to economic factors in international relations. _Diplomacy_, while addressing economics to a degree, retains this failing, minimising the importance of economic factors in international relations by omission.

Despite this shortcoming, however, _Diplomacy_ remains a vitally important book and one I cannot recommend too highly.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent introduction to the art of diplomacy
Review: I originally picked up this book because of the author. The book should be the first text introduced in any Political Science, Military Science or Internal Affairs class.

The book is an excellent introduction to the more hardline philosphies that we see in various aspects of American foreign policy. It begins in Europe around the Treaty of Westphalia, specifically covering most of western Europe's attempt to keep the small Germanic states from uniting into one powerful nation-state that could dominate all of Europe (Some things never change).

Bored yet? Don't be. I can't do Kissinger's storytelling powers justice. He loves history and it shows. He creates a beautiful tapestry out of it while developing his concept of diplomacy. If you love history, you'll be right at home reading this book. If you don't, give it a try anyways, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Kissinger gives us in insiders' view of the intepretation of history and the thought processes that heavily defined American and European foreign policy for hundreds of years. We watch as the age of empires comes and goes, replaced by the age of alliances and counter-balancing alliances. We watch the rise of British-European colonialism and justification for it (from a political standpoint anyways) and the way it influenced US actions in South and Central America (especially Cuba) later on .

Kissinger gives us an excellent "in the power seat" introduction to Cold War politics and it is easy to see how the men at the top felt so strongly that communism was going to take over the world when you see it through his eyes. Another interesting aspect is that it provides Kissinger's (and Nixon's) view of the Vietnam war and the rational for it. And it explains why the rearming of the Germany (before the Wall came down) was so traumatic for the French on more levels than just historically and emotionally.

We are even shown how small nation-states like Vietnam, Eygpt and groups like the PLO managed to turn the old rules of diplomacy on its head and work them to their advantage. And we can feel in the book the undercurrent of change as economics and "national opinion" begin to play more and more of a role in politics in addition to military power.

The end of the book I have problems with. Kissinger is a better historian than journalist or editorialist. He has strong feelings about the Reagan era that I would hardly call objective. He's just too close to the fire to give an accurate account of the 80s, in my opinion.

This is a great book if you have even a passing interest in world affairs. Like a previous poster stated--if you want to understand politics, start here. For the "other half" of the Cold War perspective, pick up The Man Without a Face, by former East German Spychief, Marcus Wolf. This book has little to say about the current, post-Cold War political scene, but it is a great text for understanding how we got here.

Paraphrased: "The appearance of morality is more important than the morality itself" - Henry Kissinger

Rating:
Summary: The Art of Statesmanship, Past, Present, and Future
Review: Diplomacy, by Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, is a comprehensive review of thetheory and practice of statesmanship narrated by the most accomplisheddiplomat of our time. From the raison d'etat of Cardinal Richelieu tothe glasnost of Mikhail Gorbachev, Kissinger describes each era's keypracticioners of the diplomatic arts with a familiarity borne of alifetime of dedicated research.

Modern diplomacy is the result ofthe efforts of those who developed the art over the centuries. Thegreat statesmen of Europe: Richelieu, Metternich, Bismarck,et. al. each developed their theories of international relations basedon their nation's unique set of historical and geopoliticalcircumstances. The striking thing is how little things have changed.Kissinger shows how modern statesmen still make decisions based on thesame factors today.

Dr. Kissinger begins his review of America'scontributions to statesmanship by examining our two foremost foreignpolicy theorists: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Kissingerdepicts these gentlemen as the architects of our foreign policy andshows how succeeding administrations have followed the policies of oneor the other. He also reviews World Wars I and II and the dreams ofoverly idealistic Americans that motivated those generations to maketremendous sacrifices in order to make the world a better place tolive. In both cases, our hopes of creating a world composed of trulydemocratic nations was dashed by the realpolitik of our adversaries.Still, despite two world wars, Korea and Vietnam, our idealism isintact enabling us to remain a beacon of freedom for all theworld.

Dr. Kissinger writes about diplomatic leaders, past andpresent, with complete familiarity. It's almost as if he's describinga group of close friends that he meets at the club every week for agame of high-stakes poker. The difference is Kissinger knows them sowell he can accurately predict what they will do and why. We'refortunate he is on our side!

Diplomacy is an important addition tothe library of every student and practicioner of the internationalpolitical process. Advanced students of World History andInternational Relations will profit from his conclusions. Beginningstudents will be inspired to conduct more dilligent research on theevents he describes. I am personally much better informed for havingread this book. You will be as well!

Rating:
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: Kissinger's analysis of REalpolitik is strong. But, he underestimate's Hitler's diplomatic skill, overestimates the Wilsonian beliefs of the leaders of the 30s, and writes sentences in musty formulae( 'it is a measure of__that________' or 'they had forgotten____-if indeed they[or he] had ever known it'.)He is terribly repetitive, and makes odd comparisons to keep the reader interested. Excluding his repetitions and digressive comparisons would knock off a hundred pages. Finally, his taste for balance-of-power, Realpolitik, and statesmen like Bismarck and Disraeli seems more nostalgic than reasoned.

Rating:
Summary: The lesson: the sweeping forces of history remain the same
Review: Surely Dr. Kissinger is the only man alive who can speak of Richelieu, Bismark and Reagan in the same breath with credibility and authority.

The only other worthy historical accounts I've read written by such a key protagonist are by Churchill.

Kissinger is the ultimate proponent of Realpolitik, an overused and ill understood concept that he illuminates well by placing it in historical context. It rests on the premise that personal morality be kept distinct from the principles which guide statesmanship - and that ultimately we're all better served by this. Clouding the two will too often lead to a powerful state, such as the US, overextending itself and failing to meet its goals. Kissinger shows that this has been true for centuries.

The tragedy of the book is that it was written when it was. I'd love to read more of Dr. Kissinger's analysis on US and European policy in Somalia, the former Yugoslavia, and towards the former Soviet Union in the era of Chechnya. He would likely advocate a far less activist stance - but how would he reconcile this with the high profile given to the moral dimension by CNN and the world media?

It's time for a prescription for democracies in the age of the internet and satellite TV. Still, Diplomacy is a great read - I had intended only to dip into it, but found myself unable to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Not 100% objetive
Review: The book itself gives you the opportunity to relive the history of the world's pollitical balance of the twentieth century. It can be considered a prime source of information because Kissinger was an important character during Cold War negotiations for the United States. It is really worth it because of the way it's written. However, I believe many of his opinions are not very impartial. That diminishes its value as an objective and historical study. I recommend that anyone who's planning to read it gets to know some history before in order to understand him completely.

Rating:
Summary: International Affairs
Review: Kissinger writes of the history of international politics from the Peace of Westphallia until the modern era with obvious familiarity and ease. The chapters can be read individually or as a continuing history. This book proved worthwhile not only by giving me greater insight into politics among nations, but also some very well appreciated background on subject matter covered in my Modern Europe 306 history course. The philosophies of Idealism and Realism shine through, and Kissenger always a realist, presents his case well. One aspect missing from this otherwise nearly complete volume is a more telling account of his involvment in the context of the greater scheme of things: Arms talks, Indonesia and Chile to name a few. Taken as a whole I recomend this to any student of history, international affairs, and especially to the individual who would like a greater understanding of how things international work.

Rating:
Summary: The complexities of international relations made simple
Review: Dr. Kissinger has written a marvelous book that takes a reader on an enlightening path through history. Beginning with the Peace of Westphalia (the advent of international relations), the author uses his keen sense of perception to analyze the actions of world leaders and explain how those actions shaped the further development of the international system. He masterfully shows how the experiences of previous generations influenced the diplomacy of the current generation.

The most interesting part of the book is when Dr. Kissinger details the international system since the United States entered into global politics. He argues that the unique American political development correlated into a diplomatic style unlike the world had ever seen. American diplomacy was based upon democratic ideals that rejected states acting for individual gain. Instead Americans believed that the expansion of democratic ideals to all people would result in a natural state of harmony among nations. With this basis, Kissinger outlines 20th century history showing how American idealism helped and hindered in different situations.

Dr. Kissinger draws extensively on his personal experience in the field, providing a more complete picture for the reader. The author's style is easy to read and captivating without excessive detail and theory. A must read for any serious student of international politics and history, and an enlightening read for others with an interest in global relations.

Rating:
Summary: Henry Kissinger is successful in describing world Diplomacy.
Review: Doctor Henry Kissinger, the controversial American political character, establishes an easy to understand, opininiated descrpition of world diplomacy over the last century and a half. It's a little long, and I beiieve it's very redundant. It's not a book to carefully read, but a brisk skimming will allow you go gain the knowledge that this book offers. A glossary would of helped. The maps and pictures are nice. Mike Stanton would be proud as Henry K displays his no nonsense attitude! Anyway, if you are taking a high school or college world history class, be sure to pick up a copy. It'll take long to read but it's worth it. It's not written to CLEARLY, I wouldn't reccomend it to my family and friends, but to my peer students. 29. 21.