Reviews for China policy, old problems and new challenges

The average rating for China policy, old problems and new challenges based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-11-09 00:00:00 Melissa Garrett ”The chance of a lifetime is not necessarily the next rung up the ladder. It may be the one on which you already stand.” Christopher’s greatest gift to Clinton was convincing him to put Al Gore on the ticket as his Vice-President. Clinton’s poll numbers shot up 10 points and he never looked back. When I think of the American politicians that have existed in my lifetime whom I most admire, it isn’t Bill Clinton, though I am in awe of his oratory skills (rivaled only by JFK and MLK ever, in my opinion), nor is it Al Gore, though I appreciate his work on the environment, nor is it Jimmy Carter, though I think he was a lot tougher than what the press gave him credit for, nor is it Barack Obama, though I admired his ability to stir a nation and to never, ever show the bone deep anger he must have felt at the ugly face of racism that he has had to endure. There are two men who easily come to mind who exuded so much stoic capability and truly believed in public service as a way to give back rather than as stepping stones in their careers. I would have voted for either one for president if I’d been given the opportunity. Warren Christopher Lloyd Bentsen They are roughly the same age. They certainly worked in the same political system. Every time I saw one or the other speak, I felt like I was hearing the truth and nothing but the truth. I don’t feel that way about any existing politicians. (The one that comes closest is Elizabeth Warren.) If Dan Quayle looks like he is about to have his ass handed to him it is because he is just about to have his ass handed to him. This is a transcript from the 1988 Vice-Presidential debate. Quayle: I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country. I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur. Judy Woodruff: Senator Bentsen? Bentsen: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy. (Prolonged shouts and applause.) What has to be done in a situation like that is to call in the — Woodruff: (Admonishing applauders) Please, please, once again you are only taking time away from your own candidate. Quayle: That was really uncalled for, Senator. (Shouts and applause.) Bentsen: You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator — and I'm one who knew him well. And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken. Warren Christopher was born in Scranton, North Dakota, and you would think starting out life in such a godforsaken part of the country (sorry North Dakota, I know of what I speak) that he was destined to become a well respected banker in the community or the owner of a local store. Fortunately for him, his father moved him to California when he was young. He graduated from Hollywood High School, along with the sons and daughters of movie stars. He was smart and was accepted to go to a small liberal arts college called the University of Redlands. When he saw how much it cost, he realized there was no way he could afford it. He wrote the University and declined the scholarship citing his economical difficulties. They wrote him back doubling his scholarship. Now what Christopher doesn’t tell you, and this is emblematic of the book as a whole, is that they had to be REALLY impressed with this young man to make him that offer. You have to read between the lines because Warren Christopher is never going to toot his own horn. The matter of fact style of this autobiography is, in itself, a lesson in how all of us should conduct ourselves. He worked for three Democratic presidents. With Lyndon B. Johnson, he was Deputy Attorney General. With Jimmy Carter, he was Deputy Secretary of State. With Bill Clinton, he was Secretary of State. Like a lot of Americans, for a long time after it happened, I was a firm believer that Ronald Reagan traded arms for hostages to release the Iranian hostages. I was wrong. Warren Christopher says in this book he never heard anything about any deal, and he was involved in the process from the beginning until the bitter/sweet end. It is another Reagan myth perpetrated by disgruntled Democrats, but also upheld by the firm belief that Republicans had that the Iranians were afraid of Reagan. The hands of Christopher Warren signing the agreement that released the hostages. Christopher was the point man on negotiating the release of the hostages, and believe me, he pressed them with the need to make this deal with him because they did not want to deal with a guy like Reagan. Carter was working tirelessly, 24 hours a day, working the phones, trying to bring those hostages home before he left office. Even Nancy Reagan mentioned, when she met him at the inaugural, that he looked exhausted. She was maybe expressing some pity for him, or perhaps she was just thinking that her black magic astrology witchcraft was finally starting to take hold in the Christian man from Georgia. Christopher signed the paperwork that would allow the release of the hostages on January 19th, 1981, the last day of office for Carter. Carter gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his tireless efforts. Unfortunately, the Iranians dragged their feet, and the hostages did not reach freedom until January 20th, the first day of office for Reagan, which helped fuel all the nefarious speculation about the deal that was done and by whom. There are many great moments in Christopher’s long career, but negotiating the release of the hostages was the top moment for me. He was so elegant and dapper. He was always so formal and somewhat stiff and serious. There is a moment when the Clinton team manages to put him in a t-shirt. ”Yesterday at the wonderful welcome home that Hillary and Al and Tipper and I had at the White House, I saw a remarkable sight---Warren Christopher wearing a T-shirt.” Laughter. “He did have it on underneath his Savile Row suit. Nonetheless, it was there. This is the same Warren Christopher, I would remind you all, who made People magazine’s best-dressed list; the only man ever to eat presidential M&M’s with a knife and fork.” Even when he was out of office, he was always offering to help with community concerns where he lived and always served at the pleasure of whichever president wished to call him. My copy is signed by Warren Christopher. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet him. The boy from Scranton walked with Presidents, Kings and Queens, prime ministers, and negotiated with dictators. He was a class act. He was a true public servant who believed in his country and the people he served. If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit I also have a Facebook blogger page at:

Review # 2 was written on 2020-03-31 00:00:00 Ryan Hoffmann This was an interesting memoir as, despite having grown up during Christopher's tenure as Secretary of State, I knew very little about him. As with many memoirs, there was definitely a bias in the narrative, but it was very approachable and Christopher came across as quite likeable. It was fascinating to read about how long and in the various capacities Christopher served in the public sector, and he offers great insights into various major events from his point of view. I'm looking forward to the eventual critical biography of Christopher or at least critical narrative of his tenure as Secretary of State, but in the meantime, this memoir was a great introduction to a lesser known public servant of the recent past.