This classic work, first published in 1951 and now expanded with new material and an introduction by John J. Mearsheimer, brings together Kennan’s six Charles R. Walgreen lectures, two seminal articles on U.S.-Soviet relations, and additional reflections on American foreign policy. Kennan examines pivotal episodes in U.S. diplomatic history, from the Spanish-American War and the Open Door Policy in China to America’s involvement in the two world wars and the early Cold War. He scrutinizes the recurring tension between America’s moralistic ambitions and the often harsh demands of international power politics, warning against the dangers of hubris, overreach, and the illusion that the United States can remake the world in its own image.

Kennan’s analysis is marked by a call for humility, professionalism, and realism in American diplomacy. He critiques the militarization of foreign policy and the tendency to substitute moral posturing for pragmatic strategy, arguing that effective diplomacy requires a clear-eyed understanding of power, interests, and the limits of American influence. The book also includes Kennan’s influential writings on the policy of containment toward the Soviet Union, which became a cornerstone of U.S. strategy during the Cold War. In later essays, he reflects on developments such as the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race, urging a disciplined, long-term approach to foreign affairs.

Kennan’s prose is lauded for its clarity and insight, blending historical narrative with sharp policy critique. The expanded edition, with Mearsheimer’s introduction, situates Kennan’s arguments in the context of contemporary debates about America’s role in a changing world, making the book as relevant today as when it was first published.