What is the author's tone in On China by Henry Kissinger?

On China by Henry A. Kissinger is a work of non-fiction. The tone of the book is typically non-partisan. This is a particularly difficult tone to achieve considering the personal experiences and controversial material in the text.

Kissinger gives objective views and historical facts about many of the occurrences in China and the US during this time. He also reveals personal insights and opinions about various leaders and events. For example, it is clear that Kissinger greatly admired Zhou Enlai. However, he refrained from making comments on other important leaders although it is clear that those opinions exist. In discussing Mao, for example, Kissinger tended to stray from personal opinion and instead focus on his attributes and work as a politician rather than focus on his strengths and weaknesses as a human being.

Kissinger also sticks to the facts when it comes to the execution of foreign policy after he left office.