Reviewed by Canon Mike D Williams
Do individuals shape world events? Henry Kissinger thinks they do based on his experience as Secretary of State for President Nixon. The leaders of events featured are the reconstruction of post war Germany by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Charles De Gaulle and the sovereignty of France, President Nixon’s approach to foreign affairs, Anwar Sadat establishing peace between Egypt and Israel, the creation by Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore as a city state, and the reforms to the UK economy under Mrs Thatcher.
In periods of crisis, management of the status quo is not sufficient. Such times require transformational leaders. The six leaders featured were all influenced by the Second World War and its aftermath. Within the major European powers only Great Britain preserved the pre-war political institutions. The defeated Germany faced partition and the need to recreate a nation. Konrad Adenauer undertook the difficult task of balancing the desire of the German people to rebuild whilst being under the authority of the Allied Powers. Adenauer realigned his nation to western Europe and set out key principles that allowed the nation to flourish long after his departure.
Charles De Gaulle, escaped from France to London and set up the Free French organisation. He had no resources just the determination to retain a sense of the France as a sovereign nation. He held that vision and on the reoccupation of Paris held out against any Allied interference. After years out of office he came back to bring the nation together and build a strong constitution.
Kissinger, as Secretary of State had close insight into the leadership and faults of President Nixon. The focus is on foreign affairs where Kissinger took the leading role with Nixon. The Vietnam War, opening to China and Middle east Peace all feature during increasing domestic turmoil due to Watergate.
The Middle East peace process in the 1970s progressed forward once Anwar Sadat came to power in Egypt and realigned away from the Soviets towards the United States. There are many interesting insights into Sadat and how he paid with his life for seeking peace.
The story of Lee Kuan Yew who melded Singapore into a city state is less well known. Mrs Thatcher getting the UK back on its feet is the final chapter. In both these chapters insights come from the personal relationship Kissinger had with those leaders. He observed their strengths and particular style of leading.
The introduction does provide interesting views about leadership but the six case studies are more about the events with less depth to the analysis of the leadership involved. Kissinger was active in world diplomacy and his interactions with the leaders is evident in many of the stories. The book shows evidence of the team of researchers delving into archives alongside the best of Penguin’s editors working to produce this very polished account.