The Inevitability of Tragedy - Henry Kissinger and His World

The Inevitability of Tragedy is a fascinating intellectual biography that examines Henry Kissinger's role in American government through his ideas. It analyses the continuing controversies surrounding Kissinger's policies in such places as Vietnam and Chile by offering an understanding of his definition of realism; his belief that foreign affairs must be conducted through a balance of power; and his view that promoting democracy is likely to result in defeats for the United States.

Barry Gewen places Kissinger's ideas in a European context by tracing them through his experience as a refugee from Nazi Germany and exploring the links between his notions of power and those of his mentor, Hans Morgenthau, as well as those of two other German-Jewish émigrés-Leo Strauss and Hannah Arendt-who shared his concerns about the weaknesses of democracy.

About the author

Barry Gewen, an editor at the New York Times Book Review for thirty years, has written on politics, international affairs, and culture for several publications, including the Times, the New Republic, Dissent, and the National Interest. He lives in New York City.

Summary

A fresh portrait of Henry Kissinger focusing on the fundamental ideas underlying his policies: realism, balance of power and national interest.

Product details

• Authors: Barry Gewen
• Publisher: Norton
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2021
• EAN: 9780393867565
• ISBN: 978-0-393-86756-5
• No. of pages: 496
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 214 mm x 30 mm
• Weight: 380 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Non-fiction book > History > Biographies, autobiographies; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political, Biography: historical, political & military, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / General, 20th Century, POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / Diplomacy, HISTORY / World, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Political leaders & leadership, Diplomacy, General and world history, Biography: historical, political and military, Political leaders and leadership