The Price of Power: Kissinger in the Nixon White House

The Price of Power examines Henry Kissinger's role as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State during the Nixon administration. Through extensive research and interviews, journalist Seymour Hersh documents Kissinger's involvement in major foreign policy decisions from 1969-1976. The book covers key events including the Vietnam War negotiations, opening relations with China, arms control talks with the Soviet Union, and multiple international crises. Hersh draws from declassified documents and firsthand accounts from government officials to reconstruct the decision-making process behind these pivotal moments. The narrative tracks Kissinger's accumulation and exercise of power within the Nixon White House, revealing the complex relationship between the two men. The book examines their shared worldview and approach to diplomacy, while also highlighting the tensions and rivalries that emerged. This investigative work raises fundamental questions about accountability, transparency, and the concentration of foreign policy authority in the executive branch. The author's critical lens challenges conventional accounts of this era and prompts reflection on the true costs of realpolitik diplomacy.

Readers describe this as a detailed investigative work that exposes the inner workings of Nixon and Kissinger's foreign policy decisions. The book draws heavily from over 1,000 interviews with former officials and declassified documents. Readers appreciated: - The depth of research and documentation - Revelations about secret bombing campaigns and wiretapping - Clear explanation of complex foreign policy decisions - The book's influence on later historical assessments Common criticisms: - Hersh's hostile tone toward Kissinger - Some claims rely on anonymous sources - Dense political details can be hard to follow - Repetitive in places Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (63 ratings) Reader quote: "Meticulously researched but clearly written with an agenda. Still the definitive account of this period." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted the book remains relevant for understanding current U.S. foreign policy and executive power.

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🔹 Seymour Hersh won the Pulitzer Prize for his 1969 exposé of the My Lai Massacre before writing this controversial book about Kissinger, cementing his reputation as one of America's premier investigative journalists. 🔹 The book reveals that Henry Kissinger ordered FBI wiretaps on his own staff members and several journalists between 1969 and 1971, leading to significant public outrage when published. 🔹 During his research, Hersh conducted over 1,000 interviews with former Nixon administration officials, intelligence officers, and diplomats to piece together the book's narrative. 🔹 The book details how Kissinger secretly prolonged the Vietnam War by sabotaging peace talks in 1968 to help Nixon win the presidential election, an action that some consider treasonous. 🔹 Upon the book's release in 1983, Kissinger and his allies launched an aggressive campaign to discredit Hersh and the book, though many of its major revelations have since been corroborated by declassified documents.