A World Restored

Name: A World Restored
ISBN: 9787532769308

基辛格 / 冯洁音 / 唐良铁 / 毛云Shanghai Translation Publishing House · ChinaNov 2016

4.5

Word count: 234K words
Chapters: 93
ISBN: 9787532769308

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Summary

Henry Kissinger is the most famous American diplomat of the twentieth century, a major figure in world history, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. This book is Kissinger's first, partly a political biography and partly a diplomatic history, combining rigorous historical narrative based on historical documents with objective analysis and commentary based on his theory. It focuses on the efforts of the world's nations to construct a new international order after Russia defeated Napoleon, with particular attention to the limitations of diplomacy and the elements of international stability. The idea of "balance-of-power diplomacy" expounded in the book laid the foundation of Kissinger's strategic thinking, and the book's success established his reputation as a first-rate scholar of the realist school. A World Restored may appear to be a work recounting European history, but in it Kissinger also delineates the basic principles of balance-of-power diplomacy, and it is not hard to find these principles in the policies he later adopted when serving as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. The book clearly sets out Kissinger's view: international peace is best ensured not by law or international organizations but by dispersing power to restrain the ambitions of the strong. — Francis Fukuyama Kissinger's first book reviews the later stages of the Napoleonic Wars and the various efforts made by European statesmen to achieve long-term peace. At a time when most political scientists were preoccupied with the threat of thermonuclear war, discussing early nineteenth-century European court diplomacy seemed odd and irrelevant. But Kissinger suggests that even if the instruments of war change, the task of statesmen remains the same: to use mutual fear among the great powers to build a balance of power that maintains the order of the international system. — The Atlantic

Editor's review

A World Restored is the foundational academic work of Dr. Henry Kissinger, originating from his Harvard doctoral dissertation. This book is not his widely known political memoir but a profound historical and political analysis focused on the reconstruction of European order after the Napoleonic Wars in the early nineteenth century. From his distinctive realpolitik perspective, Kissinger analyzes how Austrian Chancellor Metternich and British Foreign Secretary Castlereagh, through the Congress of Vienna, constructed a "Concert of Europe" system based on the principles of balance of power and legitimacy, thereby bringing about nearly a century of relative peace.

As an editor, I believe the value of this book lies in the classic model it provides for understanding the nature of international relations. Kissinger treats diplomacy as the art of "finding the least bad choice among endless possibilities." The book's discussion of concepts such as "legitimacy," "balance of power," and "revolutionary state" transcends specific historical events and speaks directly to the eternal propositions of power, order, and stability. Its calm, restrained, and strategically insightful style is continuous with the Kissinger who later became a statesman. Reading this book not only provides insight into a crucial period of history but also offers a framework of thinking for analyzing complex international configurations. For readers who wish to understand the origins of Kissinger's thought and explore the logic by which international order is formed, this is an indispensable must-read.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in international relations, diplomatic history, and geopolitics
Readers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the roots of Kissinger's realist political thought
Those who enjoy serious works combining historical depth with strategic macro-analysis
Professionals engaged in research or work related to politics, history, and diplomacy

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting Kissinger's personal political memoirs or commentary on contemporary international affairs
Readers seeking light, story-driven reading or novelized historical narrative

Reading tips

It is advisable to first acquire a basic understanding of the background of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna; the reading experience will be smoother.
The book can be read in comparison with Kissinger's later works On China and World Order to observe the continuity and development of his intellectual trajectory.
When reading, focus on the analysis of core concepts (such as "balance of power" and "legitimacy") rather than memorizing specific historical details.

About the publisher

Shanghai Translation Publishing House China · Founded in 1978

Shanghai Translation Publishing House is a Chinese publisher oriented mainly toward translation and publishing. Its publications cover foreign literature, world classics and classic works, as well as social culture, folk literature and classical poetry. The database contains 2,618 titles, including Never Let Me Go, Les Misérables (2 volumes), Don Quixote (illustrated collector's edition), The Complete Comedies of Molière (4 volumes), The Complete Novels of Kafka (3 volumes), The Collected Works of Dostoevsky (9-volume set), Reason and Persons, and Oedipus Rex (Translation Classics). Its author resources include foreign writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Victor Hugo, Cervantes and Molière, as well as translators such as Zheng Kelu, Sun Jiameng, Li Jianwu and Zhang Kun. The publisher has brands such as "Translation Classics Selections" and "Translation Documentary," and emphasizes translated works in foreign literature and the humanities and social sciences, while also publishing bilingual dictionaries and foreign-language educational books. Public information is limited; the above is based on the book information in the database.

版权信息
致谢
第一章概述
一
二
第二章欧洲大陆政治家
一
二
三
四
五
第三章不列颠岛国政治家
一
二
第四章梅特涅与政治均势的定义
一
二
三
四
五
第五章同盟的形成
一
二
三
四
五
第六章同盟的考验
一
二
三
四
第七章同盟的危机
一
二
三
第八章《肖蒙条约》与和平的性质
一
二
第九章维也纳会议
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
第十章神圣同盟与安全的性质
一
二
三
第十一章梅特涅与保守的困境
一
二
三
四
五
第十二章亚琛会议与组建和平
一
二
三
四
第十三章《卡尔斯巴德决议》与在中欧的主导地位
一
二
三
第十四章特罗保会议与欧洲的组织
一
二
三
四
第十五章莱巴赫会议与欧洲的治理
一
二
三
四
五
第十六章希腊的叛乱
一
二
三
四
第十七章从政之道
一
二
三
四
参考文献
一、档案
二、传记或传记类专著
三、专题研究及专著
四、基本参考书目
五、其他参考资料

FAQ

What is the difference between this book and Kissinger's Diplomacy?

A World Restored is Kissinger's academic starting point, focusing in depth on the reconstruction of European order from 1812 to 1822; Diplomacy has a broader scope, surveying the entire history of Western diplomacy from Richelieu to the post-Cold War era. The former is more specialized and profound, the latter more comprehensive.

How difficult is this book to read?

This book is a serious work of historical and political analysis, involving considerable historical background and abstract political concepts. It requires a certain degree of concentration and relevant background knowledge; it is not a popular introduction.

What are the features of this edition from Shanghai Translation Publishing House?

This edition is an authoritative Chinese translation with rigorous rendering and helpful translator's notes that aid in understanding the historical background and technical terms. It is an important edition for the study of Kissinger's early thought in the Chinese-speaking world.

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About the author

基辛格 Author

Kissinger is a political author introduced to Chinese readers through translated works; verifiable public information about his life is limited, and basic details such as nationality and dates of birth and death cannot currently be confirmed. The database contains two of his works, Reconstructing the World and The White House Years, commonly classified under politics and documentary literature. Judging from their subjects, his writing centers on international relations, foreign-policy decision-making, and the experiences of political figures, combining documentary narrative with analysis and examining political realities through firsthand observation or historical context. Reconstructing the World focuses on the formation and reorganization of international order, while The White House Years belongs to political documentary writing. Together they reflect a sustained attention to the exercise of power and diplomatic practice. Because reliable personal information is limited, this introduction avoids speculation about his life, education, or positions and presents his writing and thematic influence solely on the basis of the available works.

冯洁音 Author

Feng Jieyin, about whom public information is limited, appears from her available works to be chiefly engaged in the translation, annotation, and editing of foreign literature. Seven of her works are held in the collection, spanning foreign literature, culture, and politics. They include Lolita: The Annotated Edition, Borges the Professor, The Patrick Melrose Novels (five-volume set), Culture and Memory Loss: Writing on the Edge of Time, Rebuilding the World, Finally, and Living in a Corner. These titles suggest that her interests range from close reading of classic fiction and the presentation of writers' lectures to cultural memory and political questions, combining literary and intellectual concerns. Her editorial and translational work helps Chinese readers understand textual backgrounds and details, and offers solid editions for the spread of the relevant writers and works.

唐良铁 Author

Tang Liangtie is an author about whom little public information is available. The library currently holds only one work by this author, titled Rebuilding the World. According to the existing records, the book falls under the category of politics, and its title points to a concern with the reconstruction of world order, possibly touching on international structure, institutional change, and political transition. Since the author's dates of birth and death, nationality, educational background, and professional appointments cannot be confirmed, no speculation is offered here. As for the writing, the author addresses themes within politics, and the work's placement in that category suggests its content relates to public affairs and the building of order. For readers interested in political questions, the book may serve as an entry point into relevant discussions; however, given the limited information, its academic standing and actual influence are difficult to assess. Readers are advised to consult the bibliographic details and the text itself.

毛云 Author

Mao Yun is an author about whom relatively little public information is currently available. Neither nationality, dates of birth and death, nor educational background is clearly recorded in existing sources, and no established English name can be confirmed. According to the library's records, only one work by Mao Yun, The Rebuilt World, is held, and it is classified under politics, suggesting that the author's writing interests lie in political issues and the construction of order. A single work is hardly enough to sketch a full picture of the author's writing, but the title and category suggest that the book may deal with themes such as the rebuilding of political order, institutional transition, or social change. Because biographical details, other works, and critical commentary are lacking, it is not yet possible to identify the specific features of the author's style or to assess influence among scholars or readers. This introduction is based solely on the facts in the library and reliably confirmed public knowledge, and it may be supplemented and revised should more complete information about the author and the work become available.