Nixon and Mao : the week that changed the world / Margaret MacMillan.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [375]-386) and index.

"This book looks at one of the transformative moments of the twentieth century: In February 1972, Richard Nixon, the first American president ever to visit China, and Mao Tse-tung, the enigmatic Communist dictator, met for an hour in Beijing. Their meeting changed the course of history and ultimately laid the groundwork for today's complex relationship between the countries. That monumental meeting--during what Nixon called "the week that changed the world"--could have been brought about only by powerful leaders: Nixon, a great strategist and a flawed human being, and Mao, willful and ruthless; assisted by two brilliant and complex statesmen, Henry Kissinger and Chou En-lai. And behind them lay the complex history of two great and equally confident civilizations: China, ancient and contemptuous yet fearful of barbarians beyond the Middle Kingdom, and the United States, forward-looking and confident, seeing itself as the beacon for the world.--From publisher description."--From source other than the Library of Congress

Setting out -- Arrival -- Chou En-Lai -- At the Diaoyutai -- Meeting with Mao -- Mao Tse-Tung -- The long freeze -- Breaking the pattern -- The polar bear -- The opening banquet -- Opening moves -- The secret visit -- Getting ready -- Getting down to business -- The irritant: Taiwan -- Indochina -- Haldeman's masterpiece -- Audience reactions -- The Shanghai communiqué.