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On China cover art

On China

Written by: Henry Kissinger
Narrated by: Nicholas Hormann
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Publisher's Summary

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 21st-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.

©2011 Henry Kissinger (P)2011 Penguin

What the critics say

“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)

"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)

What listeners say about On China

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A really good listen

I learned a lot about China and am really happy with this book. Thanks to everyone who produced this book

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Finally a book on China that's not just bashing

I'm a Chinese-Canadian who grew up in Canada with family in China. Most of the books I've read regarding China from western scholars are so distasteful and biased against the country that I have a difficult time finishing them or taking them seriously at all. This is one of the first and only books I've read that seems to be from someone who actually understands a bit of the country and the perspective of the Chinese people, not just outright, "omg Chinese government not a democracy therefore bad, bad, bad". It's not that this book is amazingly in-depth on China or that Kissinger is a brilliant writer, it's that there are so few options out there that doesn't portray the country as a big bad villain like some sort of Disney movie that this one stands out. Myself along with some of my family members actually managed to finish it and feel somewhat satisfied that this author does, indeed, provide some useful insight into the country.

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