George Kennan and the Dilemmas of US Foreign Policy

David Allan Mayers

ISBN 10: 0195051394 / ISBN 13: 9780195051391

Edité par Oxford University Press December 1988, 1988

A propos de cet article

N° de réf. du vendeur 277296

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: George Kennan and the Dilemmas of US Foreign Policy
• Éditeur: Oxford University Press December 1988
• Date de parution: 1988
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0195051394
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780195051391
• Reliure: Hardcover
• État de l'article: Very Good
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Biography

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

This political-intellectual biography is the first to consider the thought of George Frost Kennan in the context of his many years of government service and subsequent political counsel. Drawing on in-depth and original research in a variety of archival collections, Mayers presents a comprehensive, critical review of Kennan's participation in foreign policy--from fledgling diplomat in Moscow in 1933 to respected critic on the sidelines. Stressing throughout the various intellectual and political sources of Kennan's analyses and recommendations, Mayers first details Kennan's early career, the formation of his personality, and intellectual influences through the end of World War II. He then analyzes the important period from 1946 to 1950, when Kennan was acknowledged as the American government's chief expert on Soviet affairs and held a high level place in the day-to-day formulation of foreign policy. Finally, Mayers discusses Kennan's record after his retirement as a critic of America's external policy, particularly his support of a policy of sensible detente and nuclear arms limitation as the only alternative to global destruction. The most exhaustive account to date of a towering figure in American postwar foreign policy, diplomacy, and intellectual history, this book will attract a wide readership among students, scholars, and general readers."

Revue de presse

`The most cogent and complete chronicle ever written of Mr Kennan's ideas and strategic concepts.' New York Times Book Review

`Riveting ... Both the foreign policy expert and the non-specialist can learn much from this book.' Christian Science Monitor

`The fullest and best documented account to date ... He is critical of Kennan but measured in his judgements.' Times Higher Educational Supplement

`well-written analysis of George Kennan's career as a scholar-diplomat ... He has found a worthy intellectual biographer in David Mayers.' International Affairs

`Mayers ... has produced a work of careful scholarship, a conventional mix of political and intellectual biography' Alex Danchev, University of Keele, Millenium, Journal of International Studies

`The book is the fullest treatment so far of Kennan's diplomatic career and his subsequent commentary on foreign policy ... a superb book that fills in many missing details on a story whose outline is already known ... a richly detailed account of the work of an important figure. Mayers has amassed voluminous material, organized it brilliantly, written it beautifully, and offered scores of profound insights.' American Historical Review

'The book is the fullest treatment so far of Kennan's diplomatic career and his subsequent commentary on foreign policy ... a superb book that fills in many missing details on a story whose outline is already known ... a richly detailed account of the work of an important figure. Mayers has amassed voluminous material, organized it brilliantly, written it beautifully, and offered scores of profound insights.' Robert D. Schulzinger, University of Colorado, Boulder, American Historical Review