George F. Kennan: An Annotated Bibliography

The writings of George F. Kennan-diplomat, historian, and Soviet expert-are a rich source for anyone trying to understand 20th-century United States diplomacy, particularly the struggles surrounding the Cold War. This bibliography is the first to bring together and annotate works by and about Kennan. The first section provides comprehensive coverage of Kennan’s books and journal articles. It also includes his most significant newspaper articles, book reviews, and selected U.S. Federal Documents. The second section, covering works about Kennan, includes articles, biographies, and monographs with substantial material on Kennan. The section is selective, focusing on recent comment, but providing a range of interpretations.

A Russian specialist in the State Department from 1926 to 1953, Kennan served in Moscow for several years and was Ambassador to the Soviet Union and to Yugoslavia. Kennan’s most influential contribution was the policy of containment of the Soviet Union, although he later became critical of the execution of that policy. This bibliography is the first to bring together and annotate works by and about Kennan.

The book’s first section provides comprehensive coverage of Kennan’s books and journal articles. It also includes his most significant newspaper articles, his book reviews, and selected U.S. Documents, such as Congressional hearing transcripts. The second section covers works about Kennan, including articles, biographies, and monographs with substantial material on Kennan. This section is selective, emphasizing recent opinion and comment, but the range of works provides differing interpretations and gives an overview of the historiographical developments in Cold War history.