Around the Cragged Hill: A Personal and Political Philosophy [Hardcover]

George Frost Kennan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1993

"I have attempted to take the high ground, " writes George Kennan in the foreword to this work, "trying to stick to the broader discussion of things that would still be expected to be visible and significant in future decades." Against the background of a century of wars, revolution and uneasy peace, Kennan advances his thoughts on a broad front: how the individual's quest for power often translates into governments marked by an atmosphere of inflamed ambitions, rivalries, sensitivities, anxieties and suspicions; how a nation's size can create barriers between the rulers and the ruled. Rich in historical example, the volume is a summing up of the author's accumulated experience. A Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, George F. Kennan is the author of 18 books on Russia and the Soviet Union, the nuclear issues and diplomatic history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kennan airs controversial opinions in this book of personal and political reflections. Deeming the U.S. to be severely overpopulated, he dreams of a decentralized America broken into 12 constituent republics. He opposes "forced desegregation" of schools and urges U.S. leaders to adopt a modest foreign policy with a minimum of external involvement and large cutbacks in foreign aid. The goal, he stresses, should be to get our own house in order. "We are a nation of bad social habits," he chides, citing the national addictions to television, the automobile and junk mail. To tap the wisdom of the citizenry, the eminent scholar-statesman (author of 18 books; former ambassador to the Soviet Union) calls for the creation of a Council of State, an advisory body to the federal government that would address public-policy issues. He also sets forth his thoughts on what he calls "the demonic side of human nature," defined as our instinctive compulsion to sexual activity and the ego's endless search for reassurance.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The guiding intellect behind the postwar policy of containment and author of a dozen books, Kennan has figured prominently in foreign policy debates since World War II. In this tightly written and somber book, he reflects on the state of his country and what needs to be done. His thoughts are wide-ranging, covering American government, political ideology, and faith. In the second part of his book, Kennan addresses both domestic and foreign policy concerns. His most novel suggestion calls for the creation of a permanent advisory body, which he calls the Council of State, consisting of citizens with various talents who would serve as a sounding board for policy debates. This is not easy reading, but it is essential for those seeking to better understand the enigma that is is George Kennan. Recommended for academic collec tions.
- Ed Goedeken, Purdue Univ. Libs., West Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st edition (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393034119
• ISBN-13: 978-0393034110
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kennan proposes a "supreme court" for public policy, August 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Fort Lauderdale FLORIDA usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around The Cragged Hill: A Personal And Political Philosophy (Paperback)

George F. Kennan, a former ambassador to the Soviet Union, looks back at the 20th century and concludes that the US needs a group of senior advisors to guide US policy. The Council, as he calls it, would be appointed by the President from a list of nominated names, perhaps two from each state. This list would be a role of honor -- just being nominated would be considered to be an honor higher than the Congressional medal of Honor.

Nine people chosen from the list would serve, as the Supreme Court does, for life or until they are seen to be unfit or until they resign. A salary would keep these Council members independent from Congress or President, since they would have a budget to 1) investigate leading questions of the day and 2) implement their suggestions on a trial basis. For example, the COuncil might conclude that donating needs to drug addicts would reduce the spread of AIDs and they could run a trial to test their conclusion. Estimated budget might run $10 million a year.

The focus of his proposal is on the wisdom of experience. People who have seen so much over 40 or 50 years of public service could be called on to give their view of an issue....and the Country would benefit from this experience.

Kennan is still alive (as of August 1998) and he welcomes response to his proposal. I met him in June 1998 and at that time he expressed dismay that not one major book reviewer took his proposal seriously. He's a member of the Princeton Class of 1925, making him 95 years young this year. If you read the book and find it interesting, I"m sure he would appreciate a letter or a postcard with you comments: you can contact him through the University:

George F. Kennan Class of 1925 Alumni Office Princeton University Nassau Street Princeton, NJ 08540

Even after his passing, his family will no doubt appreciate learning that his writings have made a difference. Join him on that cragged hill and you will see the world and its future in a different way.

reviewed by Steve McCrea '81

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rare opportunity to converse with a very wise man., March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Around The Cragged Hill: A Personal And Political Philosophy (Paperback)

George Kennan is a rare commodity--an extremely intelligent, literate man who possesses a broad and encompassing view of life and the world at large and who has devoted his life to public service without desire for recognition or acclaim. This book gives the reader an opportunity to participate in his musings and to experience clear-eyed and patriotic visions reminiscent of Jefferson.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for Kennan Fans, September 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Around The Cragged Hill: A Personal And Political Philosophy (Paperback)

Not only students of Kennan's foreign policy writings will get something out of this book. The topics are wide-ranging, and the observations are thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on our addiction to automobiles. One criticism is the writing style, which is generally stuffy and verbose. (For example: "But what, to me, distinguishes this Spirit from the all-powerful Deity of established Christian doctrine is precisely the fact that the Spirit bears, in my view, no responsibility for the natural order of things in which the human individual is compelled to live.") Nevertheless this is a worthwhile book.