The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Volume III: Endings

The Cambridge History of the Cold War #3

by Melvyn P. Leffler (Editor), Odd Arne Westad (Editor)

This volume examines the evolution of the Cold War from the Helsinki Conference of 1975 until the Soviet collapse in 1991. Leading scholars analyze the economic, social, cultural, religious, technological, and geopolitical factors that shaped the policies that ended the Cold War, looking at the personalities and policies of Carter and Reagan, Brezhnev and Gorbachev, Thatcher, Kohl, and Deng Xiaoping. They show how events throughout the world shaped the evolution of Soviet-American relations and also explore the legacies of the super-power confrontation in a comparative and trans-national perspective. Penetrating chapters examine how the Cold War affected and was affected by the environment, the global economy, consumer capitalism, human rights and non-governmental organizations. The authors also deal with demographic trends, capital flows, multilateral institutions, and geopolitical configurations. This is international history at its best: emphasizing social, intellectual, economic and geostrategic trends without losing focus on personalities, politics, and human agency.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Academic

688 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2010

About the author

Melvyn Paul is an American historian and educator, currently Edward Stettinius Professor of History at the University of Virginia

Reviews

[Steve Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume 3 presents the reliable shit-ton of amazing information (especially around Latin America and the root causes of Russia's '79 invasion of Afghanistan) that the previous 50 chapters have accustomed us to. I think it also addresses several areas that felt underrepresented in the previous volumes.

This history is monumental, and it provides the most comprehensive history of the period. My one disappointment is that it fails to address the governments' relations with big business. These relations were profoundly shaped by a cold war mentality, and many of the institutional structures that evolved around these relations are still around exerting influence.

[AskHistorians]

By far the most comprehensive book on the entirety of the Cold War, from origins to the collapse to resulting consequences. Written by eminent scholars in the field. A must read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and informative academic text, bringing to an end a three-volume companion to the Cold War.

[Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

same as other two ! though a couple of the arguments presented here felt kind of specious / weak to me.

[liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

biosphere and agriculture 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[Sarah u · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes for my reference:


April 2017

Essay 7: 'The collapse of superpower detente, 1975-1980' by Olav Njolstad

Essay 12: 'The Gorbachev Revolution and the end of the Cold War' by Archie Brown

Essay 16: 'The unification of Germany, 1985-1991' by Helga Haftendorn