Does America Need a Foreign Policy?

Abridged
Author: Henry Kissinger
Narrator: Philip Bosco
Genres: Politics, United States
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: November 2009
Length: 3 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 2.5/5
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

In this timely, thoughtful, and important book, at once far-seeing and brilliantly readable, America's most famous diplomatist explains why we urgently need a new and coherent foreign policy and what our foreign policy goals should be in this new millennium. In seven accessible chapters, Does America Need a Foreign Policy? provides a crystalline assessment of how the United States' ascendancy as the world's dominant presence in the twentieth century may be effectively reconciled with the urgent need in the twenty-first century to achieve a bold new world order. With a new Afterword by the author that addresses the situation in the aftermath of September 11, Does America Need a Foreign Policy? asks and answers the most pressing questions of our nation today.

Reviews (9)

Mr. Establishment

Written by Anonymous on June 20th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Most of Kissinger's advice is very general (we should work to maintain a balance of power in Asia), and he simply assumes things that are really worth discussing (e.g., Europe is key to America's security). Kissinger has a 19th century view of the world, where the global is chessboard and the great powers move the pieces. learned very little from this book -- most of what was said you could get from the talking heads on CNN and Fox.

Policy

Written by Highler on July 12th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

This book had some very thought provoking statements and ideals, and that was enough to keep me listening through some of the drier/longer parts. Towards the end, it seems to drift a little from the intended purpose and left me questioning, “Where is he going?” Unfortunately, the book starts strong and seems to go slowly downhill from there.

Does America Need a Foreign Policy? [abr]

Written by Mary McGuire from Milford, CT on June 9th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Kissinger's name brings back memories of the heyday of foreign policy so I was interested in hearing what time has taught him. Apparently nothing. His views are still local, shortsighted and defensive. The pain I endured listening to Kissinger 's voice in the beginning and end of this audiobook did, however, make me marvel at it's use as an effective torture device . . .

Does America Need a Foreign Policy?

Written by Lou Anne on February 19th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

An excellent book by an brilliant, erudite author -- the vocabulary/word choice amazes, and the views (while I might not agree with them) are well-supported and shaped by his lifelong involvement in foreign policy. I often replayed segments (the audio book layout enables easy replays) because of the complexity of the content -- you do have to concentrate on the theses!

Does America Need a Foreign Policy?

Written by Sandra on February 2nd, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

The author has written a well thought out book. His vocabulary is astounding. I learned quite a bit about foreign policy and jotted down a few words to look up in the dictionary. I had to replay parts of the book because the reader's voice seems to drone on at times, making it hard to focus on the subject matter.

Does America Need a Foreign Policy

Written by Anonymous on January 13th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 2/5

I couldn't listen to this narrator for more than five minutes, and the content seemed much too boring for the car.

Very Interesting

Written by CLIFF on December 14th, 2004

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I found it quite interesting. Considering the world economy and America's involvement in wars, I would recommend the cd to all listeners.

Does America Need a Foreign Policy?

Written by Colleen on November 1st, 2004

  • Book Rating: 3/5

First, let me say that I believe Henry Kissinger is a brilliant man. Unfortunately, perhaps because of that brillance it is somewhat hard to fully comprehend what he proposes. If I was reading this book, I'd probably be re-reading sections. There is a lot of, to paraphrase, 3 rules of this, 4 lessons of that, 6 approaches to this, etc. He does have an interesting perspective, even if I didn't agree with all of his proposals.

Henry Kissenger review

Written by Walter Mallon on October 13th, 2004

  • Book Rating: 2/5

I learned nothing from this book. Henry speaks in academic generalities that do very little for me.