In this biography, Philip Taubman explores the life and career of George P. Shultz, focusing on his diplomatic achievements, particularly in ending the Cold War. The book delves into Shultz's ability to build relationships and his challenges within the Reagan administration. Based on exclusive access to Shultz's personal papers, it provides a detailed account of his service and legacy.
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a part of the Hebrew Wisdom Literature that delves into the meaning of life and human existence. It questions the doctrine of retributive justice and observes that human endeavors, wealth, power, and pleasures are ultimately fleeting and meaningless without a divine perspective. The book is structured around the refrain 'Vanity of vanities All is vanity!' and emphasizes the importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments as the foundation of true happiness and purpose. It also reflects on the limitations of human wisdom, the inevitability of death, and the transience of life, advising readers to enjoy the good things God provides while they can[1][3][5].
Fear No Evil is a memoir by Natan Sharansky that chronicles his experiences as a Jewish refusenik in the Soviet Union. The book describes his arrest in 1977, his trial on charges of espionage, and his subsequent imprisonment in the Soviet gulag. Sharansky recounts the physical and mental tortures he endured, as well as the strategies he used to maintain his dignity and resist his captors. The narrative highlights his love for his wife and family, his solidarity with fellow dissidents, and the role of his faith and intellect in surviving the harsh prison conditions. The book also reflects on the broader context of Soviet repression and the international campaign for his release, culminating in his liberation in 1986 and his aliyah to Israel[1][2][5].
This panel discussion on the legacy of George Shultz, former US secretary of state and Hoover Institution senior fellow, features the Hoover Institution’s director, Condoleezza Rice; Israeli politician and human rights activist Natan Sharansky; and Abraham Sofaer, the former legal advisor to the State Department under George Shultz and the George P. Shultz Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and National Security Affairs at the Hoover Institution. Together, they reflect on Shultz’s contributions to US foreign policy, human rights, and the end of the Cold War.
The discussion explores Shultz’s deep commitment to human rights, particularly in supporting Soviet refuseniks and advancing the cause of freedom in the USSR. The panelists recount how Shultz worked alongside President Ronald Reagan to integrate human rights into diplomatic negotiations, leverage the Helsinki Accords, and challenge the Soviet Union’s authoritarian system.
Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident imprisoned for 12 years for his activism, shares personal experiences of Shultz’s support for Soviet Jews and recounts the political maneuvering that contributed to his own release. Rice and Sofaer discuss Shultz’s diplomatic philosophy, his strategic role in Reagan’s administration, and his ability to bridge the gap between hardline anti-communism and pragmatic diplomacy.
The conversation also touches on the role of ideas in shaping policy and whether current generations fully grasp the stakes of international conflict in the way Cold War leaders like Shultz and Reagan did. The panelists debate modern revisionist views on the end of the Cold War with a strong defense of Reagan and Shultz’s deliberate strategy to weaken the Soviet Union.
Ultimately, the discussion serves as both a tribute to the life and times of George Shultz and a reflection on leadership, diplomacy, and the enduring battle of ideas in world affairs.
Recorded on February 12, 2025.
Uncommon Knowledge 
