Kennan and the Art of Foreign Policy
Called by the publisher an "intellectual biography" and an "interdisciplinary analysis," this is little more than revisionist history at its worst. Confusing, wordy, and arrogant, the work is highly critical of the noted historian and diplomat. In a long and convoluted analysis, Stephanson (history, Rutgers Univ.) finds much wrong with Kennan, with faults including an incomplete understanding of Marxism, an ever-present "Western bias," and an alleged preference for authoritarian over democratic regimes. Given Kennan's long and productive career in both diplomacy and academe, a balanced and readable assessment of his career would be most helpful. Unfortunately, it will not be found here. See Kennan's own Sketches from a Life , reviewed in this issue, p. 00.- Ed. -- Joseph W. Constance Jr., Boston Coll. Libs.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.