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kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
5.0
There was once a popular aphorism that used to circulate within the now discredited circles of American exceptionalism, “no one is above the law.” Looking back, I find it laughable that we ever conceded to such an utter falsehood in the first place.
Henry Kissinger is the personification of corruption and the poster boy of diplomatic immunity. His crimes, a small fraction of which are judiciously detailed here by the late, great Christopher Hitchens, are so far beyond contempt that their characterization defied my thesaurus.
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Kissinger in an interview with journalist Oriana Fallaci, 4 November 1972:
“The main point arises from the fact that I’ve always acted alone. Americans like that immensely. Americans like the cowboy who leads the wagon train by riding ahead alone on his horse, the cowboy who rides all alone into the town, the village, with his horse and nothing else.”
That quote… Kissinger fancies himself a leader and he’s not. The wagon masters and cowboys to which he compares himself said “follow me.” Kissinger never said that. What Kissinger said was “trust me.” A leader will put himself in harm’s way for a greater good. Henry Kissinger put others in harm’s way for corporate interests and/or political capital.
*NOTE: Thank you to my GR friend Michael for pointing me to the Fallaci interview!
https://lithub.com/the-interview-that-became-henry-kissingers-most-disastrous-decision/
Henry Kissinger is the personification of corruption and the poster boy of diplomatic immunity. His crimes, a small fraction of which are judiciously detailed here by the late, great Christopher Hitchens, are so far beyond contempt that their characterization defied my thesaurus.
_________________________________
Kissinger in an interview with journalist Oriana Fallaci, 4 November 1972:
“The main point arises from the fact that I’ve always acted alone. Americans like that immensely. Americans like the cowboy who leads the wagon train by riding ahead alone on his horse, the cowboy who rides all alone into the town, the village, with his horse and nothing else.”
That quote… Kissinger fancies himself a leader and he’s not. The wagon masters and cowboys to which he compares himself said “follow me.” Kissinger never said that. What Kissinger said was “trust me.” A leader will put himself in harm’s way for a greater good. Henry Kissinger put others in harm’s way for corporate interests and/or political capital.
*NOTE: Thank you to my GR friend Michael for pointing me to the Fallaci interview!
https://lithub.com/the-interview-that-became-henry-kissingers-most-disastrous-decision/
tittypete's review against another edition
3.0
Drier than a popcorn fart. Basically Hitch proves that Henry Kissinger is a war criminal if we allowed international law to be applied. But we don't and won't.
loonyboi's review against another edition
1.0
Absolutely dreadful. I don't know if Hitchens is right about Kissinger. If he is, his utterly obnoxious tone and need to blast insults in all directions undercuts his argument significantly. I hated every page of this book.
upbeatmick's review against another edition
4.0
This reads as a character assassination both carefully measured and extremely brutal, and, on the surface, appears to have the virtue of being true. Based upon this novel's reading, it would stand to reason that Kissinger is a violent, reprehensible criminal, and unrepentant about his heinous acts throughout the world - those in Chile and Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia seem most evil, superficially.
This was not quite in Hitchens' normal writing style, wherein one can almost hear him speaking the words as they are read. It is, nonetheless, a well-written, informative collection of essays.
This was not quite in Hitchens' normal writing style, wherein one can almost hear him speaking the words as they are read. It is, nonetheless, a well-written, informative collection of essays.
munsontime's review against another edition
3.0
Kissinger was a piece of shit. One of the worst ever. Some new info for me in this, but overall, it was tough to get through, due to not just subject matter, but also I didn’t care for the writing style at all. Would recommend instead listening to the podcast Behind the Bastards if you’re looking to dive deeper into one of the most evil men of our century.
mizar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Extremely well researched and informative.
not_frank_not_ever's review against another edition
4.0
I wish it was a bit more in-depth, but it’s ultimately a fun (read: horrifying) romp through the exploits of one of the biggest pieces of human garbage to ever walk this miserable planet. I’m happy this book exists, and even happier that Kissinger no longer does.
kimscozyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Yeah so. I learned about fascist regimes and massacres I'd never heard of before (such as in East Timor) and I also am inclined to agree with the author, in light of the frankly damning quotes, documents, and circumstances laid out in this book, that Kissinger could be hanged for crimes against humanity. I think he at the very least ought to rot in prison for the rest of his days.