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The Cold War

A World History
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( 2,327 ratings, 243 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Cold War by Odd Arne Westad provides a comprehensive overview of the global cold war, analysing its origins, major events, and impact on international relations. Focusing on the ideological battles between the United States and the Soviet Union, the book explains how these superpowers influenced political, economic, and social landscapes worldwide. Westad examines how the conflict reshaped national identities and contributed to the geopolitical tensions of the late 20th century.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are fascinated by historical perspectives on global tensions and enjoy a detailed analysis of the geopolitical dynamics that shaped the latter half of the 20th century. Written by a renowned historian, it's perfect for those intrigued by the complex interactions between political ideologies, military strategies, and cultural influences during this pivotal era.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A major history of the conflict that shaped every aspect of our world.

As Germany and then Japan surrendered in 1945, there was tremendous hope that a new and much better world could be created from the moral and physical ruins of the conflict. Instead, the combination of the huge power of the USA and USSR, and the near-total collapse of most of their rivals, created a unique, grim new environmentβ€”the Cold War.

For over forty years, the demands of the Cold War shaped the life of almost all of us. Europe was seemingly split in two indefinitely. This is a book of extraordinary scope and daring. It is conventional to see the first half of the 20th century as a nightmare and the second half as a reprieve. Westad shows that for much of the world, the second half was by most measures even worse.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviewer feedback indicates that The Cold War by Odd Arne Westad is an impressive synthesis of the global conflict, praised for its clarity and depth over 600 pages. The book is noted for its comprehensive narrative, linking the Cold War to broader global events and offering valuable insights into its ideological and geopolitical dimensions. Reviewers commend its detailed analysis of how the conflict influenced the world, suggesting it is essential reading for those interested in historical and political contexts.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141979915

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 July 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 492g

Pages: 720

About the Author

Odd Arne Westad is S.T. Lee Professor of U.S-Asia Relations at Harvard University, where he teaches at the Kennedy School of Government. He has published over fifteen books on modern and contemporary international history, among them The Global Cold War, which won the Bancroft Prize, and Restless Empire. He is the co-author of The Penguin History of the World.

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