This work investigates the intellectual legacy of George F. Kennan to determine how his strategic framework for containment applies to the complexities of modern American power. Barton Gellman, a journalist and author with extensive experience covering national security, examines Kennan's writings and diplomatic career to extract a coherent philosophy of statecraft. The book evaluates how Kennan's cautious, historically grounded approach to foreign policy contrasts with the interventionist tendencies that have characterized subsequent American administrations. By synthesizing archival research and historical analysis, Gellman presents a critical assessment of whether Kennan's Cold War-era principles remain viable in a multipolar global landscape.

Experts frequently cite this text as a rigorous examination of the intellectual foundations of American grand strategy. Readers often note the analytical density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of 20th-century diplomatic history to fully appreciate.