First published 2022
Henry Kissinger examines how six twentieth-century leaders rebuilt their nations through distinct strategies. Konrad Adenauer restored Germany's place among nations after World War II through what Kissinger terms "the strategy of humility." Charles de Gaulle positioned France alongside the victorious Allies and restored its grandeur via "the strategy of will." Richard Nixon gained geostrategic advantage for America during the Cold War using "the strategy of equilibrium." Anwar Sadat brought peace to the Middle East after twenty-five years of conflict through "the strategy of transcendence." Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore into a powerhouse city-state by "the strategy of excellence." Margaret Thatcher revived Britain's morale and international standing when it was called "the sick man of Europe" through "the strategy of conviction." Kissinger brings personal knowledge to each case study, having known these leaders and participated in many events he describes. The book concludes with his thoughts on world order and why leadership remains indispensable today.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, political-science, leadership, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-figures
Setting: Germany, France, America, Middle East, Singapore, Britain
Period: 20th Century, Cold War
528 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press