The Trial of Henry Kissinger

The explosive treatise from recently deceased journalist, author, and provocateur Hitchens—originally published in 2001 and then again in 2012—offers a no-holds-barred indictment of veteran Washington diplomat and power broker Henry Kissinger for a host of crimes related to covert military activity, the suppression of democracy, and the violation of human rights. Simon Prebble narrates in a dialect similar to that of fellow Englishman Hitchens, while also capturing the distinct tone of erudite rebellion that the author cultivated in the media spotlight. Of course, the personal vendetta that fuels the narrative may be impossible for any speaker other than Hitchens to fully convey, but Prebble rises to the occasion to the greatest extent possible. Prebble does an especially effective job of portraying Kissinger in the quotes and anecdotes featured in the text, tackling his vocal mannerisms and public persona without descending into caricature. A Twelve paperback. (Apr.)