A witness to the waking of a world super power

Despite his Machiavellian morals, Henry Kissinger’s tale of the Asian nation’s newfound significance is a fascinating read, says TP O’Mahony.

On China: Henry Kissinger, Allen Lane £30,Kindle $11.74

FIVE years ago an internationally renowned economist was asked on RTÉ radio what advice he would give to Irish parents worried about their children’s future. “Teach them Chinese,” was his reply. This was yet another acknowledgement that if the 20th was the American century, the 21st was assuredly going to be the Chinese century.