On China

By: Henry Kissinger

Narrated by: 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.

Critic reviews

“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 on audible

I don't think that I would have made it through this book by reading. The language is quite advanced and it the narration helps.

great content too.

Kissinger's relationships with China

Kissinger tells the story of American-Chinese relations through the lens of personal relationships and personalities of political leaders. His contributions are needed to produce a comprehensive perspective on China.