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Loading... The China Diary of George H. W. Bush: The Making of a Global Presidentby Jeffrey A. Engel
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Available in print for the first time, this day-by-day diary of George H. W. Bush's life in China opens a fascinating window into one of the most formative periods of his career. As head of the United States Liaison Office in Beijing from 1974 to 1975, Bush witnessed high-level policy deliberations and daily social interactions between the two Cold War superpowers. The China Diary of George H. W. Bush offers an intimate look at this fundamental period of international history, marks a monumental contribution to our understanding of U.S.-China relations, and sheds light on the ideals of a global president in the making. In compelling words, Bush reveals a thoughtful and pragmatic realism that would guide him for decades to come. He considers the crisis of Vietnam, the difficulties of détente, and tensions in the Middle East, while lamenting the global decline in American power. He formulates views on the importance of 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 the ever-difficult Henry Kissinger. Throughout, Bush offers impressions of China and its people, describing his explorations of 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 the broad context of his public career, The China Diary of George H. W. Bush offers an unmediated perspective on American diplomatic history, and explores a crucial period's impact on a future commander in chief. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)973.928092History and Geography North America United States 1901- Eisenhower Through Clinton Administrations George H.W. Bush BiographyLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (4)
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Wikipedia in English (1)
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Sino-American relations were frozen in a lock-down since the Communist victory in 1949, with the US unwilling to recognize the legitimacy of Communist rule in China. However, in 1971 Henry Kissinger brokered an opening up and paved the way for President Nixon to visit China in 1972. In 1973, Nixon's successor, President Gerald Ford, established the United States Liaison Office (USLO) in Beijing, to which George H. W. Bush was appointed for 14 months from 1974 till 1976, serving as the Chief of the USLO and American Envoy, not actually, but often acting as Ambassador to China. George H. W. Bush personal style is credited for having made the mission a success, and laid the foundations of future diplomatic relations renewal.
When the Bushes arrived in China, in late 1974, China was still submerged in the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, which still raged although no longer as fiercely as during the first five years. There were very few foreigners in Beijing, and Bush personal style of going out and making contact, going out on his bike and shopping with Barbera won the hearts of some of the Chinese they met and worked with. Jeffrey A. Engel's edition of Bush's diaries also map the extensive contacts Bush built up and maintained within the diplomatic community in Beijing.
At 544 pages, The China diary of George H. W. Bush. The making of a global President is surprisingly readable. There are plenty of daily observations about the life of the Bushes in Beijing during this period, and the style of the diaries is as accessible and interesting as many diaries from numerous other visitors to China during the same period and later on. In fact, The China diary of George H. W. Bush is a lot more readable than some other contemporary diaries because George H. W. Bush does not display any of the anger and prejudice that is often found in other contemporary diarists.
For scholars, Jeffrey A. Engel's edition is a real treasure, as the editor provides footnotes and annotations throughout, mapping all of Bush's contacts he visited and made during his tenure in Beijing. Included in the volume is a 65+-page essay by the editor describing the significance of holding this post to the career development of George H. W. Bush and the development of Sino-American relations. (