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jarrodsbirch95's review against another edition
4.0
Like all good biographies, this tells you as much about the time in which its subject lived and the people with whom they worked and battled as it does about the ins and outs of their life. In this case, Gaddis gives an insight into 50-60 years of US-Russian relations, starting from post-Revolution but pre-WWII all the way up to the collapse of the USSR in 1991. In Gaddis' retelling of that period, we get the pleasure of Kennan's perspective on (and relations with): FDR, Truman and Kennedy; Marshall, Acheson and Kissinger; Stalin, Brezhnev and Gorbachev. None of these perspectives are boring; all - in true Kennan style, one learns - have a generous dollop of histrionics. All of this makes Kennan an entertaining subject.
My only qualm was that even as an International Relations graduate, the reproductions of Kennan's (many) articles, speeches, diary entries and letters about the Cold War felt a little tiresome. Maybe these were unavoidable here, but they tended to add up and in some parts felt like a crutch for broader analysis of events.
My only qualm was that even as an International Relations graduate, the reproductions of Kennan's (many) articles, speeches, diary entries and letters about the Cold War felt a little tiresome. Maybe these were unavoidable here, but they tended to add up and in some parts felt like a crutch for broader analysis of events.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
5.0
As an audio book, I had little idea how long this book is until I started downloading it. Once going through some of the chapter titles, some in yearly increments, I prepared for the trusty fast forward. This planned event was not needed (well maybe the first few chapters could have been condensed). . Great book. Really fascinating description of the Cold War development. Although not a conservative, I found the section on Reagan really enlightening. It seems Reagan was more nuanced in his foreign policy than I thought. Incredible career spanning the entire Cold War, and it does a nice job of contrasting containment from MAD. The repeated discussion of the need, and negatives, of NATO was fascinating as well.
I think the author does a good job of trying to balance the incredible talents with some of the complimentary flaws that Kennan possesed.
Again, excellent book and good review of the Cold War as seen in a US-USSR context. Some discussions do get short changed. For example, Vietnam is discussed only as it relates to the US-Soviet relationship, and even then very briefly.
I think the author does a good job of trying to balance the incredible talents with some of the complimentary flaws that Kennan possesed.
Again, excellent book and good review of the Cold War as seen in a US-USSR context. Some discussions do get short changed. For example, Vietnam is discussed only as it relates to the US-Soviet relationship, and even then very briefly.
tac107's review against another edition
5.0
This is the rare political biography that I finished all the way through even though I knew nothing about the person to begin with. What an excellent book.
I was recommended this by a friend because of my interest in Cold War foreign policy. I had never heard of George Kennan before, so I figured I would skim this massive book. I couldn't put it down! It's engaging without oversimplifying, and it contains just enough detail to be interesting without falling into the trap of recording every thought or correspondence. Wonderful from beginning to end.
I was recommended this by a friend because of my interest in Cold War foreign policy. I had never heard of George Kennan before, so I figured I would skim this massive book. I couldn't put it down! It's engaging without oversimplifying, and it contains just enough detail to be interesting without falling into the trap of recording every thought or correspondence. Wonderful from beginning to end.
frodomom214's review against another edition
4.0
FINALLY DONE GOOD LORD THIS TOOK FOREVER TO READ.
But it was good. Lots of food for thought. Like how we try and try, but never get it quite right.
But it was good. Lots of food for thought. Like how we try and try, but never get it quite right.
paulgrostad's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A comprehensive biography of Kennan, and very well written.
quisby's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent biography, although Kennan himself rubbed me the wrong way, principally because of the lengthy navel-gazing diary passages. He used excellent imagery and style but came off as irritatingly conceited. In spite of the fascinating times in which he lived, Kennan had a fundamentally dull career, except for some stints in Moscow.