The China Diary of George H. W. Bush: The Making of a Global
ISBN: , SKU: , AUTHOR: Engel, Jeffrey A. / Bush, George H. W., PUBLISHER: Princeton University Press, Available in print for ong>theong> first time, this day-by-day ong>diaryong> ong>ofong> George H. W. Bush's life in China opens a fascinating window into one ong>ofong> ong>theong> most formative periods ong>ofong> his career. As head ong>ofong> ong>theong> United States Liaison ong>Ofong>fice in Beijing from to , Bush witnessed high-level policy deliberations and daily social interactions between ong>theong> two Cold War superpowers. "ong>Theong> China ong>Diaryong> ong>ofong> George H. W. Bush" ong>ofong>fers an intimate look at this fundamental period ong>ofong> international history, marks a monumental contribution to our understanding ong>ofong> U.S.-China relations, and sheds light on ong>theong> ideals ong>ofong> a global president in ong>theong> making. In compelling words, Bush reveals a thoughtful and pragmatic realism that would guide him for decades to come. He considers ong>theong> crisis ong>ofong> Vietnam, ong>theong> difficulties ong>ofong> detente, and tensions in ong>theong> Middle East, while lamenting ong>theong> global decline in American power. He formulates views on ong>theong> importance ong>ofong> international alliances and personal diplomacy, as he struggles to form meaningful relationships with China's top leaders. With a critical eye for detail, he depicts key political figures, including Gerald Ford, Donald Rumsfeld, Deng Xiaoping, and ong>theong> ever-difficult Henry Kissinger. Throughout, Bush ong>ofong>fers impressions ong>ofong> China and its people, describing his explorations ong>ofong> Beijing by bicycle, and his experiences with Chinese food, language lessons, and Ping-Pong. Complete with a preface by George H. W. Bush, and an introduction and essay by Jeffrey Engel that place Bush's China experience in ong>theong> broad context ong>ofong> his public career, "ong>Theong> China ong>Diaryong> ong>ofong> George H. W. Bush" ong>ofong>fers an unmediated perspective on American diplomatic history, and explores a crucial period's impact on a future commander in chief.