Kissinger: A Biography.

ISAACSON, Walter.

Item Number: 128104

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.

First edition of Isaacson’s authoritative biography of Henry Kissinger. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, with an autograph note signed by and in the hand of the author on Time Magazine letterhead which reads, “Dear Bill, Here’s an early-run copy. At least now it’s got an index! Any publicity would be appreciated. All best Walter.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He joined Nixon’s campaign for the 1960 Presidential race, and supported him again in 1968. After Nixon’s 1968 victory, Safire served as a speechwriter for him and Spiro Agnew. He authored several political columns in addition to his weekly column “On Language” in The New York Times Magazine from 1979 until the month of his death and authored two books on grammar and linguistics: The New Language of Politics (1968) and what Zimmer called Safire’s “magnum opus,” Safire’s Political Dictionary. Safire later served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board from 1995 to 2004 and in 2006 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.  Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Lawrence Ratzkin. Author photograph by Ted Thai.

The first full biography of Kissinger, this book explores the relationship between his complex personality - brilliant, conspiratorial, furtive, prone to power struggles, charming yet at times deceitful - and the foreign policy he pursued. It draws on extensive interviews with Kissinger as well as hundreds of other sources including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, H. R. Haldeman, Russian diplomats, cabinet colleagues, childhood friends, and business clients. The result is an intimate narrative, filled with surprising revelations, that take's the century's most colorful statesman from his childhood to his twilight years.