Henry Kissinger: A Biography
Henry Kissinger was born in Fürth, Germany, on May 27, 1923. His parents, Louis and Paula Kissinger, were German Jews. In 1938, the Kissingers fled Nazi Germany and immigrated to the United States.
Kissinger attended Harvard University and received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1950. He then attended Harvard Law School and received his law degree in 1954.
After law school, Kissinger worked as an attorney and as a consultant to the Council on Foreign Relations. In 1969, he was appointed National Security Advisor by President Richard Nixon. Kissinger served as National Security Advisor until 1975, and he also served as Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977.
As National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, Kissinger played a major role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. He was a key figure in the negotiations that led to the end of the Vietnam War, and he also played a major role in the development of détente, a policy of reducing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Kissinger has been a controversial figure throughout his career. Some people admire him for his intelligence and his diplomatic skills, while others criticize him for his support of authoritarian regimes and for his role in the Vietnam War.
After leaving government service, Kissinger continued to work as a diplomat and as a consultant on international affairs. He has also written several books on foreign policy, including "Diplomacy" (1994), "World Order" (2014), and "Leadership" (2022).
Henry Kissinger is one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th century. He played a major role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, and his legacy continues to be debated today.