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George Kennan: An American Life - The Definitive Biography of a Cold War Icon

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George Kennan, A Leading American Diplomat And Foreign Policy Expert During The Cold War George F Kennan: An American Life

George F. Kennan: An American Life

by John Lewis Gaddis

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3818 KB
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Print length	:	800 pages

George Kennan was one of the most influential figures of the Cold War. His insights into Soviet foreign policy helped shape American strategy for decades, and his writings on diplomacy and international relations remain essential reading for students of history and foreign policy.

This biography provides a comprehensive account of Kennan's life and work, from his early years in Milwaukee to his service as ambassador to the Soviet Union and his later years as a scholar and writer.

Early Life and Education

George Frost Kennan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 16, 1904. His father, Kossuth Kent Kennan, was a lawyer and diplomat, and his mother, Florence James Kennan, was a social worker. Kennan had two older sisters, Elizabeth and Alice.

Kennan attended St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, and then Princeton University, where he graduated in 1925 with a degree in history. After graduating from Princeton, Kennan studied at the University of Berlin and the University of Geneva.

Diplomatic Career

In 1926, Kennan joined the U.S. Foreign Service. He served in various diplomatic posts in Europe, including Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and Moscow. In 1944, Kennan was appointed chargé d'affaires at the American embassy in Moscow.

As chargé d'affaires, Kennan played a key role in shaping American policy toward the Soviet Union. He wrote the famous "Long Telegram" in 1946, which warned that the Soviet Union was a threat to American interests and that the United States needed to adopt a policy of containment.

Kennan's insights into Soviet foreign policy had a profound impact on American strategy during the Cold War. He served as a top advisor to several presidents, including Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy.

Later Years

Kennan retired from the Foreign Service in 1952. He then became a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He also wrote extensively on diplomacy and international relations.

Kennan's writings remain essential reading for students of history and foreign policy. He was a clear and insightful thinker, and his work has had a major impact on our understanding of the Cold War and the world today.

George Kennan was one of the most important figures of the Cold War. His insights into Soviet foreign policy helped shape American strategy for decades, and his writings on diplomacy and international relations remain essential reading for students of history and foreign policy.

This biography has provided a comprehensive account of Kennan's life and work. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating and influential figure.

George F. Kennan: An American Life

by John Lewis Gaddis

4.6 out of 5