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World Order
- Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History
- Narrated by: Nicholas Hormann
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
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World Order
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Summary
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of World Order by Henry Kissinger, read by Nicholas Hormann.
World Order is the summation of Henry Kissinger's thinking about history, strategy and statecraft. As if taking a perspective from far above the globe, it examines the great tectonic plates of history and the motivations of nations, explaining the attitudes that states and empires have taken to the rest of the world from the formation of Europe to our own times.
Kissinger identifies four great 'world orders' in history - the European, Islamic, Chinese and American. Islamic states have looked to their destined expansion over regions populated by unbelievers, a position exemplified today by Iran under the ayatollahs. For over 2,000 years, the Chinese have seen 'all under heaven' as being tributary to the Chinese Emperor. America views itself as a 'city on a hill', a beacon to the world, whose values have universal validity.
How have these attitudes evolved, and how have they shaped the histories of their nations, their regions, and the rest of the world? What has happened when they have come into contact with each other? How have they balanced legitimacy and power at different times? What is the condition of each in our contemporary world, and how are they shaping relations between states now?
To answer these questions, Henry Kissinger draws upon a lifetime's historical study and unmatched experience as a world statesman. His account is shot through with observations about how historical change takes place, how some leaders shape their times and others fail to do so, and how far states can stray from the ideas which define them.
World Order is a masterpiece of narrative, analysis and portraits of great historical actors that only Henry Kissinger could have written.
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What listeners say about World Order
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 15-08-19
A bit like listening to Donald Trump with a PhD
The book is an excellent and useful overview of the various events, individuals and ideologies that have shaped the modern world. It's major downfall is the complete bias it has towards the US, describing it as a selfless, freedom-loving state that simply only wants good for the rest of the world, never putting it's own interest before the well-being of others. The same benefit-of-doubt attitude quickly disappears when discussing Europe or the Islamic world in which he becomes extremely critical, dismissive and condescending.
He sobers up ever so slightly when it comes to the invasion of Iraq but in summary he supports the US throughout and the "excellent statesmanship" shown by George Bush. Henry Kissinger is a true Republican and in some parts it does genuinely feel like I'm listening to Donald Trump with some brains.
All in all the book is a must read for those who want to understand the modern political landscape and is extremely useful to that end, if you can get past the blind patriotism.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adrian J. Smith
- 19-12-19
Essential International Relations text, regardless
Dr Kissinger's World Order takes as its premise the Westphalian state system, with an initial examination of the circumstances of European power that led to its creation, the play of European power throughout the ages, and the examination of alternative power structures, notably Islam and China.
The book is an excellent overview of how World Order functions, but contains some philosophical musings upon various contemporary factors affecting world order.
This book excels on several levels. The size, just right, plus the readability coupled with the breadth and scope make it an ideal book for anyone wanting to get a grasp of International Relations, or experienced international relations students (such as myself) who nonetheless want further knowledge and insight.
Overall, an excellent book and expertly put together.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vincent O'Sullivan
- 02-12-23
Highly recommended
Excellently written and narrated. Offers a unique perspective and insight into some of the most consequential events of our time.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 16-01-17
Solid book to understand today's world
Kissinger has authored a solid work that centers around Westphalian principles to explain the foundations of today's world order, while contrasting those principles with the cultural and philosophical elements from other regions and countries outside the Western world.
It would have been a better book had he not engaged in active propaganda about the United States and raised it's principles above those of other nations. In that sense I believe he lacked objectivity, hence my 3 stars. I guess as former Secretary of State he would never criticize his own country.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Florian
- 31-07-16
recommended
great reading... good voice ...great story, amazingly educative book. offcourse it presents everything from an idealistic point of view, but it gives one the opportunity to have a better understanding on how the world works and how the great military powers are playing it.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Fabrice Saenger
- 14-02-16
Kissinger's views on world order.
I could not agree with eveything Kissinger said. It was still an interesting to listen to the idea of someone who shape US foreign policy.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MLH
- 18-03-17
Incredibly insightful with equally incredible ethnocentric biases
Essential reading shows the responsibility of humanity to step up to the 3 existential challenges facing humanity
1. Nuclear proliferation
2. Environmental destruction
3. Cyber destruction
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alice Watchorn
- 08-01-18
Fascinating and thoughtful
A wonderful book that really makes you think. I particularly enjoyed the insights into current politics and foreign policy. He couldn’t be more on point.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Asim
- 22-02-23
a good read
I enjoyed narrator, I think he did a very good job.
The author could have added a bit more substance to the real American posture (e.g. Afghanistan and Iraq) - that would have provided a more clear picture about linking American idealism to that with reality - challenges America faced also inherent motivations from the different stakeholders in the America- this would have also then provided an authentic view to the readers and listeners.
but overall I recommend everyone to read this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Martin Ström
- 03-11-19
Genius.
Some reviews here says that the book is ethnocentric. That's not true. Henry is as smart and wise as they come. Truly a next level thinker.
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