The Cold War between the former Soviet Union and the United States indelibly shaped the world we live in today--especially international politics; economics; and military affairs. This volume shows how the globalization of the Cold War during the 20th century created the foundations for most of today's key international conflicts; including the "war on terror." Odd Arne Westad examines the origins and course of Third World revolutions and the ideologies that drove the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. towards interventionism. He focuses on how these interventions gave rise to resentments and resistance that; in the end; helped to topple one and to seriously challenge the other superpower. In addition; he demonstrates how these worldwide interventions determined the international and domestic framework within which political; social and cultural changes took place in such countries as China; Indonesia; Iran; Ethiopia; Angola; Cuba; and Nicaragua. According to Westad; these changes; plus the ideologies; movements and states that interventionism stirred up; constitute the real legacy of the Cold War. Odd Arne Westad is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 2004 he was named head of department and co-director of the new LSE Cold War Studies Centre. Professor Westad is the author; or editor; of ten books on contemporary international history including Decisive Encounters: The Chinese Civil War; 1946-1950 (2003) and; with Jussi Hanhimaki; The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts (2003). In addition; he is a founding editor of the journal Cold War History.
#836319 in Books Cambridge University Press 2010-08-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .94 x 5.98l; 1.29 #File Name: 0521731941436 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. No Drama HereBy DannoThe title of this book is very dramatic; and I expected a story to match. Nope.There's no question that the author is a tremendous scholar and an expert on Haiti. But this book is too 'inside baseball' for anyone not already thoroughly knowledgeable on the slave rebellion in Haiti. Based on the title; I expected the heightened drama of an oppressed people wresting freedom from slavery. Instead. I got blow-by-blow descriptions of interminable pissing contests among government agents vying for turf.Lots of bureaucratic butt-covering memos? Yep. Revolution? Not so much.This author has written plenty; and probably has a book out on the Haitian revolution that's bigger; more dramatic; and less claustrophobic.Try that one first.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Popkin; as usual; is clear and concise. ...By Ethan G.Popkin; as usual; is clear and concise. His analysis is dead on. His work on slavery in Haiti is of use to both sides of the Atlantic.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A Very Engaging and Informative History of Haiti's Anti-Slavery RevoltBy RogerI just completed reading Professor Popkin's new book and I am very impressed; indeed. I have always been interested in the French Revolution of 1789; including its interplay with the anti-slavery uprising of 1791 in the French colony of Saint Domingue (the future Haiti). The two historical events are very deeply connected. This book does a masterful job of explaining how.The relationship between the two world historical events is more complex than I had previously thought. While it is true that the 1789 Revolution encouraged and opened the door to the Haitian revolt; each have their own roots and dynamics. I like how the author presents the interconnection as a two-way street; so to speak. France's declaration abolishing slavery throughout the empire on February 4; 1794 (later reversed by Napoleon Bonaparte; in 1802) was part declaration of universal freedoms and part recognition of the de facto situation created in Saint Domingue by the success of the slave revolt.The title of the book; "You Are All Free;" was the announcement that ran through the streets of Cap Français (today's Cap Haitien) on June 21; 1793. In order to defeat a revolt that united Royalists; plantation owners and disgruntled sailors in France's naval fleet; France's commissioner's (governors) were obliged to call upon the Black population to fight on the side of the Republic. They declared abolition in the colony's northern province in order to win its allegiance. In the course of the battle for the city; it burned to the ground. That catastrophic event was the backdrop to the declaration of February 4; 1794.I spent two days in Cap Haitien in 2007. The feeling of history one feels there while pondering the city's history and visiting its monuments is awe-inspiring. My next visit will be all the more significant thanks to Professor Popkin's impressive research and writing.May 7; 2011.
