• A genuinely international history of the Cold War
• Devotes much attention to the Cold War's domestic as well as international dimensions
• Covers the entirety of the Cold War era, highlighting key players, such as Stalin, de Gaulle, and Reagan
• Written by a major American authority on the post-war period
• Gives equal attention to the impact of the conflict on the Third World, as well as on the West and on Asia
• Highlights key developments, such as the Berlin Wall and the 'Star Wars' missile defense strategy

The massive disorder and economic ruin following the Second World War inevitably predetermined the scope and intensity of the Cold War. But why did it last so long? And what impact did it have on the United States, the Soviet Union, Europe, and the Third World? Finally, how did it affect the broader history of the second half of the twentieth century - what were the human and financial costs? This Very Short Introduction provides a clear and stimulating interpretive overview of the Cold War, one that will both invite debate and encourage deeper investigation.