Nixon and Mao: The Week That Changed the World

Marvelous.....

Exquisitely written historical documentation of one of the defining moments of the 20th Century, or as I like to call it 'The week the world shook.' Much has been written about the monumental meeting between American President Richard Nixon and Chinese Communist leader Mao-Tse-Tung in February 1972, but never, in my opinion, has it been told as brilliantly and as compellingly as in 'Nixon and Mao.' Margaret MacMillan is a master historian and someone I admire greatly. Her writing is fast-paced, enthralling, exceptionally detailed, and she has the god-given ability to breath life into history and jolt it alive. She is a professional of the highest order and she is a historian for us fellow historians. There are so many moments when this book was so engrossing for me, my eyes were just popping out of my head, and my enjoyment level for a book has never been greater. Her portraits of Nixon, Kissinger, Mao and Chou En-lai are richly drawn, as are the other players in the mother of all diplomatic breakthroughs. Mao, for the most part, was a monster, and Nixon was, and is, despised by myself and many Americans. Yet the fact that both men could break through the 22 year diplomatic freeze between the US and China to restore full normalization of relations between the two countries was a tremendous achievement for both. Nixon for all his devasting failures achieved a historic opening that is still benefiting both the US and China today. The 'new international order that would reduce lingering enmities, strengthen historic friendships, and give new hope to mankind' that Nixon had hoped for, he had achieved. It was the shining light in a dark presidency. This book is an example of why I fell in love with books and reading. It's a joy.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding

A deep, detailed account of a pivotal moment in recent history. MacMillan gives an almost novelists insight into the larger than life people in this larger than life story but also fascinating behind the scenes details. Remarkably even handed to all sides, this highly readable history will be hard to put down for those inclined toward history. Well worth a look.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

False Information

I was copilot of AF1 on this mission and Ms MacMillan wrote in her book that the Chinese insisted in flying the aircraft into Peking which is NOT TRUE. They did place a navigator and radio operator onboard but certainly not pilots.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Became bored with this book.

I bet this book will do well. It's short, an easy read, well written, and about an interesting subject. It just doesn't do it for me. The author basically claims Bill Clinton was the most engaged president in foreign policy since Richard Nixon. What?!? George HW Bush has long been claimed by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike as a foreign policy guru. In fact, it lost him the election in 1992 some would say because he was too foccussed on foreign policy. That gaffe aside, the book has a racey narrative style sure to please. I just think its a little heavy on form over substance. Where's the footnotes?

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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