Kissinger

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No American statesman has been as revered or reviled as Henry Kissinger. Once celebrated as “Super K”—the “indispensable man” sought after by presidents from Kennedy to Obama—he has also faced intense scrutiny from conspiracy theorists. In this comprehensive biography, Niall Ferguson utilizes Kissinger’s previously closed private papers and documents from over a hundred global archives to challenge the notion of Kissinger as a ruthless arch-realist, revealing a profound misunderstanding of his character. The first half of Kissinger’s life, often overlooked, tells the remarkable story of a Jewish refugee from Hitler’s Germany who ascended to the White House. Ferguson details Kissinger's early struggles, from working in a New York factory to serving in the infantry during World War II, where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of a concentration camp. His time at Harvard solidified his intellectual foundations, where he engaged with Kant’s philosophy and Metternich’s diplomacy, eventually gaining fame for advocating limited nuclear war. Despite facing setbacks, including press blunders and disillusionment with Nelson Rockefeller, a pivotal trip to Vietnam altered his trajectory. This biography not only chronicles Kissinger’s evolution into a key strategic thinker but also offers insights into the Cold War era, reshaping our understanding of his extraordinary life.