On China

De: Henry Kissinger

Narrado por: Nicholas Hormann

“Fascinating, shrewd . . . The book deftly traces the rhythms and patterns of Chinese history.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“No one can lay claim to so much influence on the shaping of foreign policy over the past 50 years as Henry Kissinger.” —The Financial Times

In this sweeping and insightful history, Henry Kissinger turns for the first time at book length to a country he has known intimately for decades and whose modern relations with the West he helped shape. On China illuminates the inner workings of Chinese diplomacy during such pivotal events as the initial encounters between China and tight line modern European powers, the formation and breakdown of the Sino-Soviet alliance, the Korean War, and Richard Nixon’s historic trip to Beijing. With a new final chapter on the emerging superpower’s twenty-first-century role in global politics and economics, On China provides historical perspective on Chinese foreign affairs from one of the premier statesmen of our time.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Fascinating, shrewd . . . [The book’s] portrait of China is informed by Mr. Kissinger’s intimate firsthand knowledge of several generations of Chinese leaders. The book deftly traces the rhythms and patterns in Chinese history . . . even as it explicates the philosophical differences that separate it from the United States.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“Nobody living can claim greater credit than Mr. Kissinger for America's 1971 opening to Beijing, after more than two decades of estrangement, and for China's subsequent opening to the world. So it's fitting that Mr. Kissinger has now written On China, a fluent, fascinating . . . book that is part history, part memoir and above all an examination of the premises, methods and aims of Chinese foreign policy.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Fascinating . . . In On China, statesman Henry Kissinger draws on historical records and 40 years of direct interaction with four generations of Chinese leaders to analyze the link between China’s ancient past and its present day trajectory. In doing so, the man who helped shape modern East-West relations presents an often unsettling, occasionally hopeful and always compelling accounting of what we’re up against.” —The Chicago Sun-Times

“Fascinating . . . No living American has played a more important role than Henry Kissinger, the former national security adviser and secretary of state, in bringing about the historic rapprochement between the United States and China. . . . [Kissinger] draw[s] deep insights into China's traumatic encounter with much stronger Western powers.” —The San Francisco Chronicle

“On China, Kissinger's 13th book, blends an incisive strategic analysis of the moves and countermoves of China, the United States and the former Soviet Union with telling vignettes about his meetings with Chinese Communist Party leaders . . . entertaining.” —The Los Angeles Times

“No one can lay claim to so much influence on the shaping of foreign policy over the past 50 years as Henry Kissinger.” —The Financial Times

“From the eminent elder statesman, an astute appraisal on Chinese diplomacy from ancient times to the fraught present “strategic trust” with the United States. Former Secretary of State Kissinger brings his considerable scholarly knowledge and professional expertise to this chronicle of the complicated evolution and precarious future of Chinese diplomacy with the West. . . . Sage words and critical perspective lent by a significant participant in historical events.” —Kirkus Reviews

The Struggle for Understanding

The topic is timely .... and timeless. The way forward is not easily discerned by even the most perspicacious and they are not always the most influential in governments. Kissinger displays the capabilities and capacities which justified his position on the world stage, Mr. Hofmann does an excellent job of presenting his words with appropriate gravity. As is too often the case, those who would most benefit from these insights are unlikely to read them.

Helps to understand the global political scenario

The kind of reading we need to in times of uncertainty and Russia x Ukraine war

I loved this diplomat info! The old Swashbuckler

A timing of info. A nod to Nixon's geo-political sense and, tho it pains my heart, to a sentence (that's all I'll give) by John Foster Dulles, the great deceiver/criminal.
Somehow this story is all new to me. The Confucianism, shunning war and more. Seeing Henry as Xi's guest speaking so well a few weeks ago (100 years old, sounding REAL GOOD), seeing the human call for prosperity as overtaking the Nation State's call to war. Long standing alliance against the Polar bear and more...,, like shared goals, strategic threats i.e. No War. From early in Chinese history they Malcolm Gladwell everything.
It is what I see, Chinese..., the new capitalist, without a war machine, so watch out folks, you gotta compete !!
The narration was informative and a streamlined enhancement.

Best book on China

This book tops all other books that I have ever read about China, whether it was a non-fiction or a fiction, whether it was written by Chinese, American, or Chinese-American. My view on this, though not authoritative, has some validities. For after all, I have lived 45% of my life in China and the other 55% here in the West.

The book provided no earth-shaking views of any kind, rather it showed Kissinger’s deep understanding of China. What is an understanding? It is knowing, the knowledge of something that transcends the barriers of language. Kissinger articulated complex, subtle and delicate topics at such an ease, that one was made to feel as if s/he was visiting an old friend. Every word was something one already knew, but only now being spoken out aloud. It was ingenious.

Excellent - Provides a truly broad scope of China

Would you listen to On China again? Why?

Provides a truly broad scope of China and how it perceives itself and it's place in the world. (And why ! )

I will listen to the book again because all of it is worthy of total understanding.

What did you like best about this story?

The broad scope and the first person detail that is not apparent to the media "entertainers".

Which scene was your favorite?

Insight into meetings, conferences, understandings, misunderstandings, and ambiguities.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How diplomacy is really conducted out of the public view and how it can be made to work for the mutual benefit of the various parties at different times, place and geopolitical balancing.

Any additional comments?

An excellent presentation of China / US / and world geopolitics.

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me

Would you consider the audio edition of On China to be better than the print version?

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me to say more, I will give you this tripe.

What did you like best about this story?

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me to say more, I will give you this tripe.

What does Nicholas Hormann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me to say more, I will give you this tripe.

If you could give On China a new subtitle, what would it be?

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me to say more, I will give you this tripe.

Any additional comments?

I just want to give a star rating. If you force me to say more, I will give you this tripe.

A few short words from a listener.

If you could sum up On China in three words, what would they be?

An enriching experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On China?

The dialogs between President Nixon and Chairman Mao.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Hormann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but Nicholas Hormann did an excellent job. I even looked to see what else he narrated to see if I would be interested in any of the other works.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It would have to be a documentary, I would simply call it 'On China' and leave it at that.

Any additional comments?

This was a very enlightening experience. I'm very glad to have listened to it-I definitely wouldn't have made it through reading it. Its too high of a reading level for me.

As someone who has lived in China and Taiwan

As a who’s lived and worked in China and Taiwan for over 7 years I find this book to be a pragmatic and sensible view of Chinese society and puts a lot of my experience in both of those places into perspective. Worth listening to or reading for someone who wants to a balanced, non-sensational account of China in how it relates to western society.

Dr. Kissinger - national treasure

I learned much from the chapters on Chinese history. Let's hope for peaceful, respectful cooperation.

Wisdom from a statesman Kissinger - a must read

This book provides the depth and breath analysis between the US and China over the last many decades. A must read before the US takes a drastic change in mapping out the course going forward for the sake of world peace.