To the amazement of the public; pundits; and even the policymakers themselves; the ideological and political conflict that had endangered the world for half a century came to an end in 1990. How did that happen? What caused the cold war in the first place; and why did it last as long as it did?The distinguished historian Melvyn P. Leffler homes in on four crucial episodes when American and Soviet leaders considered modulating; avoiding; or ending hostilities and asks why they failed: Stalin and Truman devising new policies after 1945; Malenkov and Eisenhower exploring the chance for peace after Stalin's death in 1953; Kennedy; Khrushchev; and LBJ trying to reduce tensions after the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962; and Brezhnev and Carter aiming to sustain détente after the Helsinki Conference of 1975. All these leaders glimpsed possibilities for peace; yet they allowed ideologies; political pressures; the expectations of allies and clients; the dynamics of the international system; and their own fearful memories to trap them in a cycle of hostility that seemed to have no end.For the Soul of Mankind illuminates how Reagan; Bush; and; above all; Gorbachev finally extricated themselves from the policies and mind-sets that had imprisoned their predecessors; and were able to reconfigure Soviet-American relations after decades of confrontation.
#738324 in Books 2014-09-16 2014-09-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.49 x 22.23 x 5.70l; 1.00 #File Name: 0374251622240 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Avoiding her own headline making news; the author dips into her family past somewhat repetitiouslyBy J. S. SchachterAnne Sinclair returns and pays homage to her grandfather; a man she never appreciated; admiring her father instead. There is a "reveal" well into her story that helps her understand him. Her writing is disappointing for a successful TV personality.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An excellent book; well researchedBy Margalit FliegelmannAn excellent book; well researched; carefully woven and elegant in not allowing any gossip bring the level down. If you care for art; recent Jewish history; family solidarity Paris and New York; this is the book for you. I read it in one sitting; that is how much I enjoyed it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting BookBy Trans-Borders LearningThe author tells us at the end that this book is impressionistic; like many of the paintings her grandfather sold. It meanders quite a bit; so if you are interested in chronology you will be disappointed. I found the book interesting nonetheless and gained both facts and knowledge about many topics related to France's WW II looted art history. I was also reminded of the complicated nature of families.
