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On China Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,230 listener ratings
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“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.
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"From what I can tell, the old man has not lost his mental faculties one bit. Since he has been an integral part of our relations with China for over forty years, and since China is such a dominant factor in the World's future, you really need to read and digest the good Doctor's words."
— Al (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Fascinating, shrewd…The book deftly traces the rhythms and patterns of Chinese history.”
— New York Times -
“Fluent, fascinating…part history, part memoir, and above all an examination of the premises, methods, and aims of Chinese foreign policy.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Fascinating…In On China, statesman Henry Kissinger draws on historical records and forty 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.”
— Chicago Sun-Times -
“Fascinating…No living American has played a more important role than Henry Kissinger, the former national security advisor 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.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“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.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“No one can lay claim to so much influence on the shaping of foreign policy over the past fifty years as Henry Kissinger.”
— Financial Times -
“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
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
On China Listener Reviews
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10/27/2020
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Timothy Mott Sr, 3/29/2018
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" Pretty good overview of US-China relations and forecasts for the future. Quite a bit of Kissinger ego in there. "
— Aaron, 2/17/2014 -
" I am not a henry kissinger fan, but did enjoy the historical aspects of this detailed account of relations between the US and China. "
— Rod, 2/8/2014 -
" This was a very hard book to finish. As I read the book I kept thinking the the Chinese leadership could do no wrong when it came diplomacy and was all seeing. Kissinger seemed to gloss over all the domestic issues and seemed to explain away Tiananmen as an internal affair that the US should ignore. He seems to believe everything the Chinese leaders say or write and spends way too much of the book quoting them. After reading this book I would put Henry Kissinger and Edger Snow on the same level. "
— Tomlikeslife, 2/7/2014 -
" Very good. Very accessible history of China's diplomatic apparatus throughout history, focusing specifically on Maoist China-American relations. Strongly recommend. "
— Josh, 2/4/2014 -
" Most of the book is about the diplomatic history of China-USA. But there are also a lot about the URSS and about Mao. It's an interesting book from someone who witnessed from inside the beginning of the diplomatic relations of China with the west. "
— Rui, 2/1/2014 -
" Kissinger sets out an interesting overview of the last 200 years of Chinese diplomacy, describing its evolution from a closed system to a CCCP led cold war balancing act. In quite a few places it felt like he gave Chinese leaders such as chairman Mao and G.S. Deng, a bit too much credit for insight and strategic planning and balancing of power. "
— Arjen, 1/10/2014 -
" Best book on modern Chinese history. Kissinger provided the perspective and insights only a seasoned statesman like him can offer. "
— Wallis, 1/9/2014 -
" Good overview of China-American histories from one distinct perspective "
— Calsee, 12/18/2013 -
" A great historical overview of Sino-American diplomacy from the grandmaster himself (although, I was hoping for a bit more insight on the future of China and our relationship with her). "
— Neil, 11/22/2013 -
" Loved the personal portraits by Kissinger of some importants figures of China history like Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. "
— Sara, 11/17/2013 -
" Whole lot of information and good detail on China's modern history - yet an uneasy ending. "
— Dane, 9/16/2013 -
" Kissinger and history in my lifetime, a must read... "
— Chuck, 6/17/2013 -
" Great comprehensive look at US-Sino relationship from the 1800s to present day, along with an overview of Chinese history and culture. "
— Matt, 2/16/2013 -
" With the ascent of China you will do good to understand them better "
— Rodrigo, 1/11/2013 -
" Didn't add very much beyond what was already covered in Nixon and Mao: The Week That Changed the World and Kissinger's own Does America Need a Foreign Policy? : Toward a Diplomacy for the 21st Century. "
— Erwin, 8/27/2012 -
" Very detailed and historical look at the development of China, as a civilization, political and economic power. Interesting read yet a bit too matter-of-fact historical. HK could have used a little more story telling to rely all the facts and historical data into a more interesting read. "
— Rex, 3/22/2012 -
" Recommended as a useful historical and current basis for watching U.S. - China relations develop over the next few decades. "
— Gary, 1/24/2012 -
" One of the best books on foreign relations or China I've ever read. It is an inside look into the China and its relations with the US. Kissenger reaffirms his intellect. The presentation of Mao is fascinating. "
— Paul, 1/15/2012 -
" Quite thorough, and surprisingly even-handed, given his reputation. Not extraordinary, but worth reading. "
— Nick, 12/19/2011 -
" It's wonderful to hear a nuanced history by one who has been an active and intelligent participant. "
— John, 6/11/2011 -
" Although one can make fun of Kissinger’s enormous self-confidence, he really knows his stuff. This book is articulate, accurate, probing, and comprehensive. I highly recommend it. <br/><br/>Rating: 4.5/5<br/> "
— Jill, 5/21/2011
About Henry A. Kissinger
Henry Kissinger served as national security advisor and then secretary of state under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He received the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Medal of Liberty, among other awards.
About Nicholas Hormann
Nicholas Hormann has appeared in over a hundred plays on and off Broadway and in the nation’s leading professional theaters, including the American Conservatory Theater, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Kennedy Center. He has made guest appearances on numerous television series and narrates audiobooks. He attended the Yale School of Drama and lives in Los Angeles.