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63rd out of 81 books
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The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War
A brilliant and revealing biography of the two most important Americans during the Cold War era—written by the grandson of one of them
Only two Americans held positions of great influence throughout the Cold War; ironically, they were the chief advocates for the opposing strategies for winning—and surviving—that harrowing conflict. Both men came to power during World W
...moreHardcover, 384 pages
Published
September 15th 2009
by Henry Holt and Co.
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I read this book leading up to Thanksgiving of 2009. My car was being repaired and I got to spend lots of time with the book. This is a dual biography, tracing the lives and careers of George Kennan and Paul Nitze. These two men were arguable two of the leading intellectual lights of the US Defense establishment but were on opposite ends of the intellectual spectrum, with Nitze being the more militaristic and conservative (the Hawk) and Kennan being the wise State Department old head who was ...more
Beginning with "The Long Telegram" sent by George Kennan from Moscow in 1946 "The Hawk and The Dove" traces the duel and dueling careers of Paul Nitze and George Kennan. The book is not a complete history of the Cold War, but it does provide some wonderful insights from two of the periods most thoughtful contributors. Nitze, the hawk, argued through most of his career that the United States must pursue arms and stand toe to toe with the Soviets to avoid destruction. Kennan...more
Thompson sets out to find the frame for the cold war, and find it he does. Both Nitze and Kennan devoted their lives and ideologies to the preservation of America against the expansionist policies of the Soviet Union. Kennan, the dove, was rather warlike for a dove, expunging policies of covert operations and espionage world wide to keep Communism in check, and Nitze, the hawk, knew all to well the terrors of nuclear warfare because he was one of the primary researchers at Hiroshima and Nagasak...more
One really does wonder how we haven't managed to blow ourselves up.
Paul Nitze, one of the integral figures to the Cold War, once heard that the Russian word for peace, mir, was the same word for world, and from that point on, he was convinced that the Russians were hell bent on world domination because when they asked for peace, they were really asking for the world. Thus, his entire attitude during the Cold War was that Russia wanted to run everything and would pursue that policy t...more
Paul Nitze, one of the integral figures to the Cold War, once heard that the Russian word for peace, mir, was the same word for world, and from that point on, he was convinced that the Russians were hell bent on world domination because when they asked for peace, they were really asking for the world. Thus, his entire attitude during the Cold War was that Russia wanted to run everything and would pursue that policy t...more
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The Hawk and the Dove was a subject that interested me--the Cold War and George Kennan whom I always liked. I had negative view of Paul Nitze and looked forward to the contrast between him and Kennan.
The book was much more complex than the title would suggest. It's an excellent history. Because Baker is Nitze's grandson, he had access to papers who one else had seen. Some from family sources. Then, at the end of the book, Baker recounts going to visit the school Nitze founded (Paul ...more
The book was much more complex than the title would suggest. It's an excellent history. Because Baker is Nitze's grandson, he had access to papers who one else had seen. Some from family sources. Then, at the end of the book, Baker recounts going to visit the school Nitze founded (Paul ...more
The Hawk and the Dove is one of the most accessible and enjoyable books about the Cold War to come out in quite awhile. The book's biographical studies of Paul Nitze and George Kennan makes the story engaging and easy to follow. The idea that Nitze was the hawk and Kennan the dove makes stark a more muddled picture, but their relationship nicely highlights philosophical differences in the Cold War. Nitze often pushed the hard line and the militarization of containment, while its author Kennan th...more
Paul Nitze and George Kennan are the focus of this history. The author, Nicholas Thompson is the grandson of Paul Nitze. He is an award winning author in his own right.Throughout the book I keep in mind that the author was related to one of the characters. Nicholas Thompson showed very little bias in presenting the story of these two men. His presentation was well written and professional.
This is both a history of the cold war and a biography of two me who contributed so ...more
This is both a history of the cold war and a biography of two me who contributed so ...more
rafaela
rated it
Recommends it for:
people that like things about the holocaust
Recommended to rafaela by:
the holocaust saction
I really liked the book. There are wonderful anecdotes and it the focus on the perspectives of the two men is illuminating. Although both men are legend in international relations, neither was ever really satisfied in their career, feeling they had been shut out of where they should be. There is sad moment where Nitze thinks he will get a plum spot in the Carter administration only to find himself without any job at all. a great read. Watch out, though, for the occasional lapse into conspiracy ...more
This book is a dual portrait of influential Cold War advocates, Paul Nitze and George Kennan, written by Nitze's grandson. It offers an insight into their opposing stances on such topics as the arms race, diplomacy, and foreign affairs.
This is a very readable book that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in contemporary history, specifically The Cold War which ran from the end of WWII until1989 with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
This is a very readable book that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in contemporary history, specifically The Cold War which ran from the end of WWII until1989 with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
More like 4.5 stars...
This is a very well-written and interesting joint biography of two of the biggest U.S. players in the Cold War, written by Nitze's grandson (though I could detect no partisanship on his part). These men disagreed on many issues during their long friendship, yet never lost respect for each other. Near the end, Thompson quotes from a speech which Nitze gave at his son's 1953 boarding school commencement, using the image of the tension in a bow or guitar, which c...more
This is a very well-written and interesting joint biography of two of the biggest U.S. players in the Cold War, written by Nitze's grandson (though I could detect no partisanship on his part). These men disagreed on many issues during their long friendship, yet never lost respect for each other. Near the end, Thompson quotes from a speech which Nitze gave at his son's 1953 boarding school commencement, using the image of the tension in a bow or guitar, which c...more
I've read a fair amount about the Cold War and about the personalities who led the fight. Nick Thompson (the grandson of Paul Nitze) has written a fascinating, balanced and revealing account of the intertwined lives of two of the greatest men (and minds) who fought the fight. A really well written, extremely well researched read. I highly recommend it.
Margaret Sankey
added it
Dual biography of the polar opposite strategists of US strategy for the whole stretch of the Cold War--the diplomat Kennan and the aggressive interventionist Nitze. Perhaps most strikingly, despite their keen professional rivalry and clashes, they were personal friends and gentlemen colleagues capable of remaining civil over a decanter of scotch.
Jared
marked it as to-read
Having read Kennan's memoirs (which constitute an absolutely compelling and moving, if idiosyncratic, personal survey of mid-20th century history and diplomacy) and being somewhat familiar with Nitze's work, and having heard Mr. Thompson interviewed on the radio, I am eager to read this book.
This dual political biography is an enjoyable, engaging and fascinating look at the Cold War through the parallel lives of two of its central actors. A must read for anyone interested in the Cold War, American foreign policy and 20th century American history.
Zach
rated it
Suprisingly readable biography of two critical figures in US national security and diplomatic policy for much of the Cold War.
The author effectively combines descriptions of their personalities with their work to create an often moving story.
It should be noted that for students of national security policy, this does not go into the detail and analysis of other works on national security policy, especially the many devoted to Kennan's "Containment" policy. St...more
The author effectively combines descriptions of their personalities with their work to create an often moving story.
It should be noted that for students of national security policy, this does not go into the detail and analysis of other works on national security policy, especially the many devoted to Kennan's "Containment" policy. St...more
A fascinating look at two of the most important men involved in cold-war decision and opinion making. Though Thompson is Nitze's grandson, he is very even-handed in his presentation of the two friends and rivals.
This was one of the 2010 RUSA Notable Books winners. For the complete list, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/a...
A fantastic look at the Cold War from beginning to end told through the lives of the two most influential architects and executors of Cold War policy. A must read for all who are interested in this subject
Any foreign policy practitioner (or armchair historian) would find this book enriching and entertaining. Plus Thompson can really write.
Wonderful book about the two men who were instrumental in the development of cold war policy. Interesting.
Two of my favorite dead white men, written by one of their grandsons. What's not to love?
Clearly written history of the cold war from two not all that different perspectives after all
Paul Nitze and George Kennan shaped US thinking about the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. They were friends and colleagues who disagreed more than they agreed. This fascinating book portrays their contrasting careers, friendships and family lives while identifying the unique place in history that each man played.
Tom
added it
Upcoming author appearance, so reading an advance copy.
Thompson does a great job with this dual biography of Paul Nitze (the Hawk) and George Kennan (the Dove), providing two contrasting perspectives of the history of the Cold War. I believe, however, that George Kennan would strongly disagree with the author's thesis that Nitze's approach to the Soviet Union, based on the idea that the US could win an all-out nuclear war against its adversary, was "complementary" to, rather than opposed to, Kennan's theory of containment.
An informative read. I learned a lot about Nitze and Kennan and their lives and views. I also learned a good deal about the Cold War and the roles they played in it.
I'm not sure if the subtitle's claiming this is a history of the Cold War. To my mind it's not. It's certainly a narrative of the service of two men influential in how America competed with the Soviet Union in the Cold War years. The material is biographical and heavily anecdotal rather than analytical. And always interesting.
High level coverage of the careers of Paul Nitze and George Kennan. While this is a decent coverage, it's not very deep: while it does talk about the men it really doesn't dive deep into their personas or motivations. Indeed the impact Paul Nitze had on neocon thought was almost not even mentioned.
Was there anything truly new in this book? no. Was it a decent overview of two of big cold war players? Yes.
Was there anything truly new in this book? no. Was it a decent overview of two of big cold war players? Yes.
Not a complete history of the Cold War -- and it didn't try to be. Instead, this book takes the unique approaches of (1) following two of the period's most thoughtful and influential contributors and (2) portraying the Cold War in shades of grey rather than black and white.
Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides
marked it as to-read
This seems like an interesting book, but not really what I'm in the mood to read right now.
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