Product Description

The conflict between Russia and America shaped the world for over four decades. Both were universalist powers – they wanted every country in the world to copy their model of government and economy. They could not rest until the other side had been vanquished, and until the mid-1980s this included the prospect of nuclear war.

In a new edition of one of the best-selling books in the Seminar Studies in History Series, Martin McCauley looks at the epic struggle between the two superpowers that put everyone in danger. In a clear and accessible manner, the book:

• Gives a succinct summary of the main turning points in the conflict
• Looks at how the whole world was sucked into the Cold War
• Shows how the arms race eventually bankrupted Russia
• Discusses whether or not America and Russia have learnt anything from this confrontation

Also containing a Chronology, Glossary and Who’s Who of key figures, this revised second edition of Russia, America and the Cold War is essential reading for all students of twentieth century history.

Martin McCauley is a seasoned writer and broadcaster who has a wealth of experience in Russian and international affairs. His recent publications include The Origins of the Cold War revised 3rd edition (2008), Stalin and Stalinism revised 3rd edition  (2008) and The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union (2007)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #149201 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

From the Back Cover

The conflict between Russia and America shaped the world for over four decades. Both were universalist powers – they wanted every country in the world to copy their model of government and economy. They could not rest until the other side had been vanquished, and until the mid-1980s this included the prospect of nuclear war.

In a new edition of one of the best-selling books in the Seminar Studies in History Series, Martin McCauley looks at the epic struggle between the two superpowers that put everyone in danger. In a clear and accessible manner, the book:

• Gives a succinct summary of the main turning points in the conflict
• Looks at how the whole world was sucked into the Cold War
• Shows how the arms race eventually bankrupted Russia
• Discusses whether or not America and Russia have learnt anything from this confrontation

Also containing a Chronology, Glossary and Who’s Who of key figures, this revised second edition of Russia, America and the Cold War is essential reading for all students of twentieth century history.

Martin McCauley is a seasoned writer and broadcaster who has a wealth of experience in Russian and international affairs. His recent publications include The Origins of the Cold War revised 3rd edition (2008), Stalin and Stalinism revised 3rd edition  (2008) and The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union (2007) .

About the Author

Martin McCauley is former Senior lecturer in Politics at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London. An extremely accomplished author, he has written three other Seminar Studies volumes: The Khruschev Era, Russia, America and the Cold War and Stalin and Stalinism and two trade history books for Longman History: Bandits, Gangsters and the Mafia and Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Customer Reviews

Fairly Good
A good overview of the main events of this period: if you're just generally curious about the Cold War and what the main events and trends in it were, this is quite suitable. However, the sheer brevity of the format of this series of books (and 'Seminar Studies' is very good, believe me) works against a fully fleshed-out account of this topic. There are mentions of certain events but they lack a little background needed to explain them. I kept finding myself reading some remark and thinking 'But "why" did that happen?'. Still, a good read, and well-explained.