Henry Kissinger equally comfortable on world and small-town stages

SHARON — International diplomacy and rustic community support come together next weekend at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon when Henry Kissinger will be among the authors at the 15th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing on the Green, Aug. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.Kissinger will be there with his latest book, “On China.”The part-time Kent resident has the distinction of being the only secretary of state most people can name. For some, it was because he served during the memorable presidency of Richard Nixon (and then Gerald Ford). But outside of the events of that presidency, what Kissinger did for world diplomacy during his years in office was groundbreaking enough to earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. His accomplishments included detente with the Soviet Union; the Paris Peace Accords that took the United States out of Vietnam; and the 1971 Beijing, China trips, when he was Nixon’s national security advisor. The relationship that he helped forge with China has lasted for the past 40 years, he said last week, in a phone interview with The Lakeville Journal from his Kent residence.“Both countries have such different historical backgrounds and patterns, and neither had much experience dealing with each other’s societies,” Kissinger said. “Nations interact all over the world, even more so now. How we get along and compete depends on relationships. That basic pattern of a relationship has been maintained all these years, through eight American administrations, both Republicans and Democrats. Credit does not go to any one person.”At 88, Kissinger is still consulting, doing speaking engagements and imparting his invaluable insight into world affairs. “On China” looks back on the process, what has come since, and most importantly, he said, where we need to go from here.“It’s not a book about me. I don’t appear until page 214,” he said, with a chuckle. “But what I have learned I hope will help people understand what needs to be done to maintain those relationships into the future.”That said, Kissinger said he agreed to take part in the booksigning primarily to support the library. “The local community means a lot to Nancy and me. We have very happy times here and always try to give something back. I always go to the fairs the firemen have. And yes, I love playing bingo.”Local legend often places Kissinger at the bingo table at the Kent fire department’s summertime fair, sometimes with his friend Oscar de la Renta, who also lives in Kent.Being able to move relatively freely around Kent and surrounding towns — and taking part in the life of a small town — is one of the things the Kissingers cherish about living here. He said he maintains his own “light” security — not the Secret Service.

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