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Cold War: A History From Beginning to End
Cold War * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted from the end of World War II until the end of the 1980s. Over the course of five decades, they never came to blows directly. Rather, these two world superpowers competed in other arenas that would touch almost every corner of the globe. Inside you will read about... ✓ What Was the Cold War? ✓ The Origins of the Cold War ✓ World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War ✓ The Cold War in the 1950s ✓ The Cold War in the 1960s ✓ The Cold War in the 1970s ✓ The Cold War in the 1980s and the End of the Cold War Both interfered in the affairs of other countries to win allies for their opposing ideologies. In the process, governments were destabilized, ideas silenced, revolutions broke out, and culture was controlled. This overview of the Cold War provides the story of how these two countries came to oppose one another, and the impact it had on them and others around the world.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2016
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Hourly History
693 books856 followersAt Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 18, 2023
Another Hourly History
Another great introduction to a most complex of subjects.
Another great introduction to a most complex of subjects.
June 5, 2022
From as far back as WWI the seeds of distrust between what became the two super-powers were planted.
Whilst more seeds were sown, by both sides, as a result of manoeuvring during the second war; post WWII saplings grew to become strong, hard wooden barricades. Those on both sides of the wire nurtured the sentiment: "you are either with us or against us - there is no middle ground". A sentiment neither of the two cared to hide from their neighbour or more precisely the entire world.
In America, with McCarthyism being blamed by many, a culture of conformity swamped the nation and was, some believe, as oppressive, stifling of free thought and individual expression (free speech) as the Soviet regime.
With hundreds of thousands, if not millions, finding an early grave and with millions, if not billiuons, of dollars and roubles down the pan, the history of the forty-year long war, it would seem, may have been avoided if those 'in charge' had made the time for a chat and agreed that some of their neighbours actually favoured setting their stall out between the two fences: on the middle ground - Fidel Castro being just one such 'middler'.
I do think it might be too easy to get bogged down in all the detail surrounding this war and this book may well skate quickly past much of it, but this is an engrossing read that informed me of much.
Whilst more seeds were sown, by both sides, as a result of manoeuvring during the second war; post WWII saplings grew to become strong, hard wooden barricades. Those on both sides of the wire nurtured the sentiment: "you are either with us or against us - there is no middle ground". A sentiment neither of the two cared to hide from their neighbour or more precisely the entire world.
In America, with McCarthyism being blamed by many, a culture of conformity swamped the nation and was, some believe, as oppressive, stifling of free thought and individual expression (free speech) as the Soviet regime.
With hundreds of thousands, if not millions, finding an early grave and with millions, if not billiuons, of dollars and roubles down the pan, the history of the forty-year long war, it would seem, may have been avoided if those 'in charge' had made the time for a chat and agreed that some of their neighbours actually favoured setting their stall out between the two fences: on the middle ground - Fidel Castro being just one such 'middler'.
I do think it might be too easy to get bogged down in all the detail surrounding this war and this book may well skate quickly past much of it, but this is an engrossing read that informed me of much.
January 6, 2018
Cold War : A History from Beginning to End by Hourly History (2016) is a very short, very silly history of the Cold War that is better to skip.
The book starts off by detailing the terrible repression that lead to the Cold War. This was, interestingly enough, in the US. It was allegedly furthered by the US just attempting to thwart Communist Revolutions that were happening around the world.
Russia apparently escaped The Great Depression via Communism. It must have been a great time there apparently, unless, possibly if you were one of the millions who died in the Holodomor. But this book, of course, doesn't mention them. Russia apparently had a booming economy in the 1930s.
The book goes on to describe how Communism sprung up in Eastern Europe but allegedly the Americans tried to thwart and undermine this too. This led the Russians to become upset.
There is almost no mention of the massive repression in Communist states. There is no mention of the Great Leap forward where Communism caused at least 30 million people to starve.
This isn't to say that the US's behaviour was always good and that they didn't support vicious, despicable dictators and regimes around the world in the fight against communism and that this did go against America's ideals. However, to fail to look at the real horror of Communism and it's economic failure when discussing the Cold War is laughable.
The book is really completely nonsense. I was hoping for something like the often excellent 'short introduction to' books but instead this book is completely fantastical.
The book starts off by detailing the terrible repression that lead to the Cold War. This was, interestingly enough, in the US. It was allegedly furthered by the US just attempting to thwart Communist Revolutions that were happening around the world.
Russia apparently escaped The Great Depression via Communism. It must have been a great time there apparently, unless, possibly if you were one of the millions who died in the Holodomor. But this book, of course, doesn't mention them. Russia apparently had a booming economy in the 1930s.
The book goes on to describe how Communism sprung up in Eastern Europe but allegedly the Americans tried to thwart and undermine this too. This led the Russians to become upset.
There is almost no mention of the massive repression in Communist states. There is no mention of the Great Leap forward where Communism caused at least 30 million people to starve.
This isn't to say that the US's behaviour was always good and that they didn't support vicious, despicable dictators and regimes around the world in the fight against communism and that this did go against America's ideals. However, to fail to look at the real horror of Communism and it's economic failure when discussing the Cold War is laughable.
The book is really completely nonsense. I was hoping for something like the often excellent 'short introduction to' books but instead this book is completely fantastical.
February 2, 2021
I have never written a negative book review before, but I'm sorry to say this was the worst book I have ever read. It reads like a love letter to communism, written by a 16-year-old. If it was at least open about the blatant bias involved, that would be something, but it purports to discuss the Cold War impartially. The US in particular (and I'm not American) is criticised at every opportunity. Sometimes this is valid, other times it is speculative and/or petty. For the most part, a blind eye is turned to the Soviet Union, and especially to a command economy.
The only saving grace I can say is that it was short enough that it didn't waste more of my time.
The only saving grace I can say is that it was short enough that it didn't waste more of my time.
February 11, 2024
A fine book with fairly fine research works and balanced points of view
It is a well-researched work on the reasons for the rise of Communism to power and the course of the 20th-century Cold War between the United States of America and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union).
By and large the book exhibits quite a balanced and keen perspective on the half-a-century-long event that heavily affected all our early lives. The following line serves as a good example:
(Kindle Ed., p. 17)
...As discussed in the last chapter, fear of Communism led to a fear of being different and a fear of being accused of being a Communist...
The book is considerate and professional written and edited really “for the readers who may be beginners” in this specific top’ic:
(Kindle Ed., pp. 17-18)
America took Containment very seriously in the 1950s. China’s fall to Communism was perceived as a major threat to American security. Thus, the country frequently intervened in other nations’ affairs. Usually, this was through covert operations, as in Iraq in 1953 (see below)...
Y'all might think this one pair of parentheses with “see below” in 'em is nothing significant, but I have many, vivid memories of hard research for supporting info to better understand the lines myself. That one pair of simple parentheses lets you know you can simply move forward with the book lines, and it makes a huge difference.
(Kindle Ed., p. 27)
...America appeared hypocritical. How could it purport to protect these rights and freedoms abroad if it did not ensure them for all its own citizens..?
The author’s thoughts seem to be a bit inclining toward so-called the good-old, “typical,” liberal ideology and might feel “cliché” to many, but I feel like the author tried to keep the balance in many aspects without irritating too much even a pretty conservative person such as myself.
They don't really affect the flow of reading, but anyway here’s the list of the lines the editors should revise/ edit to boost up the fin'al quality of this already-fine book.
(Kindle Ed., p. 8)
...While certainly there was much violence and repression involved, Russia did undergo rapid industrialization in the wake of World War I, which made it one of the only booming economies in the 1930s. Undoubtedly, this also made Communism more appealing in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
Correction: ...While certainly there was much violence and repression involved, Russia did undergo rapid industrialization in the "wake of World War II," which made it one of the only booming economies in the 1930s. Undoubtedly, this also made Communism more appealing in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
(Kindle Ed., p. 12)
In the wake of World War II, the Domino Theory thus led to the American policy of Containment. To stop the spread of Communism (and its eventual spread to the United States), it needed to be contained where it was; it could not, under any circumstances, be allowed to spread beyond where it already existed. The Domino Theory and the policy of Containment became guiding foreign policy principles for the United States throughout the Cold War. They led the United States to intervene in other nations’ affairs time and again. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union divided much of Europe, and some of the rest of the world, into spheres of influence. Since Russia had sacrificed so much more than the U.S. to end the war (far more civilian and combatant casualties and unspeakable damage to their infrastructure and land), there was no way that the U.S. could limit their role in the post-war world...
Correction: In the "end" of World War II, the Domino Theory thus led to the American policy of Containment. To stop the spread of Communism (and its eventual spread to the United States), it needed to be contained where it was; it could not, under any circumstances, be allowed to spread beyond where it already existed. The Domino Theory and the policy of Containment became guiding foreign policy principles for the United States throughout the Cold War. They led the United States to intervene in other nations’ affairs time and again. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union divided much of Europe, and some of the rest of the world, into spheres of influence. Since Russia had sacrificed so much more than the U.S. to end the war (far more civilian and combatant casualties and unspeakable damage to their infrastructure and land), there was no way that the U.S. could limit their role in the post-war world...
(Kindle Ed., p. 13)
...As Europe especially reeled in the wake of World War II, the United States and its allies in Europe (chiefly Great Britain) greatly feared that weaker nations were susceptible to falling to Communism. The widespread destruction and death, as well as resulting starvation and poverty, might make the doctrines of Communism appealing to a great many people...
Correction: ...As Europe especially reeled in the "end" of World War II, the United States and its allies in Europe (chiefly Great Britain) greatly feared that weaker nations were susceptible to falling to Communism. The widespread destruction and death, as well as resulting starvation and poverty, might make the doctrines of Communism appealing to a great many people...
(Kindle Ed., p. 33)
It was not long before the United States discovered these structures, again by spying on their island neighbor. They were terrified. Nuclear weapons so close to home was not something that U.S. citizens had experienced in the past, and Kennedy took a hard line...
Correction: It was not long before the United States discovered these structures, again by spying on its island neighbor. The American people were terrified. Nuclear weapons so close to home was not something they had experienced in the past, and Kennedy took a hard line...
(Kindle Ed., p. 33)
...Détente was an all-encompassing term that essentially meant that Cold War tensions and conflict would be scaled back...
Correction: ...Détente was an all-encompassing term that essentially meant Cold War tensions and conflict would be scaled back...
(Kindle Ed., p. 34)
...What was more, they did not adapt their tactics.
Correction: ...What was more, Americans did not adapt the Vietnamese tactics.
(Kindle Ed., p. 35)
...Also, Americans were also growing more and more discontented with the culture of conformity...
Correction: ...Also, Americans were growing more and more discontented with the culture of conformity...
(Kindle Ed., p. 37)
One of the most iconic moments of the Cold War 1970s was Nixon’s historic visit to China...
Correction: One of the most iconic moments of the Cold War in the 1970s was Nixon’s historic visit to China...
(Kindle Ed., p. 38)
...In some ways, the Iron Curtain came up just a little bit.
This line is the first and only that mentions the Iron Curtain. If the author had talked about the heartbreaking stories of the sever’/ separ’ated families in Germany and Korea with the Iron Certain shutting the borders between the two sides, this fine book would have become even better.
(Kindle Ed., p. 41)
...that did not mean that the Cold War “cooled off...”
Correction: ...it did not mean that the Cold War “cooled off...”
(or)
...that did not mean the Cold War “cooled off...”
(Kindle Ed., pp. 42-43)
Other crises peppered the 1980s before the end of the Cold War. Another major crisis occurred in the 1980s. While this was not well-known among civilians at the time, it was probably as dangerous as the Cuban Missile Crisis; at least the closest that the world had come to nuclear war since that event. It is known as the Able Archer Crisis and recently declassified documents have made us aware of it. During the Able Archer Crisis, America began exercises in preparation for nuclear war. The Soviets intercepted and observed what was going on. Because communication between the two countries was not good at the time, the Soviet Union did not attempt to contact the United States to find out what was going on, nor had the U.S. made the Soviets aware. Therefore, the Soviet government believed that the U.S. was actually readying itself for nuclear war. In retaliation, they too began to prepare to launch their weapon stores. Actual nuclear war was narrowly avoided when the two superpowers finally communicated and realized what was happening.
These two whole paragraphs better be revised/ edited or taken out for the quality of the book.
(Kindle Ed., p. 42)
...Even though the Cold War officially ended in1989...
A space is missing between in and 1989.
(Kindle Ed., p. 28)
Despite worries and attempts to undermine it, and despite the fact that it was antithetical in many ways to America’s own ideals, this cultural atmosphere would perpetuate well into the 1960s...
Nevertheless, some wise individuals with author'ity in their hands challenged this blind social atmosphere head on for the very America's own ideals' sake, and that made the country great anyway. Watch the mov'ie "Hidden Figures."
(Kindle Ed., p. 26)
...it also permeated home life and placed tremendous pressure on women especially. Women, whose chief role was wife and mother, were solely responsible for the physical, social, and moral health of their families. Put simply, this meant that if there was something “wrong” with any member of the family (if they failed to uphold the standards set for them by Cold War society), then it was the fault of the matriarch. This was one of the major problems with the culture of conformity, and would lead to the Feminist Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.
Great point: Yet, those biased believe it is NOT West-like, but something ori'ent[al]. Women and children have always been priorities when any danger ever approached a "normal" fam'ily. Y'all wanna talk about the hæ-stor'y of "anc'ient" Gr'ea/ Cor'ia/ Kor'ea, whose women had power and duty both in society and family, to com-pare/ -pair with that of Gr'eece or Rome, where women were not considered citizens, but mere properties?
(Kindle Ed., p. 37)
...China fell to Communism in 1949, and since then, relations between the United States and China were strained, with limited communications and trade. Nixon’s visit changed this. On the most basic level, it re-opened relations between the two major powers. However, it was far more significant. It showed that the U.S. could finally open talks and relations with a Communist nation apart from the Soviet Union. For the first time, America acknowledged that Communism did not automatically mean that a nation was allied with the Soviets. This was a major turning point in the Cold War. Partially because of Nixon’s visit to China, the Soviet Union also moved to soften relations with the United States. In another historic Cold War moment, Nixon and Brezhnev met...
Missing the important reason why the USA and PRC got closer: The near-all-out confrontation between the USSR and PRC in the 1960s. Washington was happy to exploit that opportunity to weaken the Soviet influence.
This book certainly has its shortcomings, I’d say again it is still a fine read, however, with fairly balanced points of view and relatively fine research works with necessary en-/ in-form’at-i’on for the readers of various backgrounds to learn this specific top'ic.
It is a well-researched work on the reasons for the rise of Communism to power and the course of the 20th-century Cold War between the United States of America and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union).
By and large the book exhibits quite a balanced and keen perspective on the half-a-century-long event that heavily affected all our early lives. The following line serves as a good example:
(Kindle Ed., p. 17)
...As discussed in the last chapter, fear of Communism led to a fear of being different and a fear of being accused of being a Communist...
The book is considerate and professional written and edited really “for the readers who may be beginners” in this specific top’ic:
(Kindle Ed., pp. 17-18)
America took Containment very seriously in the 1950s. China’s fall to Communism was perceived as a major threat to American security. Thus, the country frequently intervened in other nations’ affairs. Usually, this was through covert operations, as in Iraq in 1953 (see below)...
Y'all might think this one pair of parentheses with “see below” in 'em is nothing significant, but I have many, vivid memories of hard research for supporting info to better understand the lines myself. That one pair of simple parentheses lets you know you can simply move forward with the book lines, and it makes a huge difference.
(Kindle Ed., p. 27)
...America appeared hypocritical. How could it purport to protect these rights and freedoms abroad if it did not ensure them for all its own citizens..?
The author’s thoughts seem to be a bit inclining toward so-called the good-old, “typical,” liberal ideology and might feel “cliché” to many, but I feel like the author tried to keep the balance in many aspects without irritating too much even a pretty conservative person such as myself.
They don't really affect the flow of reading, but anyway here’s the list of the lines the editors should revise/ edit to boost up the fin'al quality of this already-fine book.
(Kindle Ed., p. 8)
...While certainly there was much violence and repression involved, Russia did undergo rapid industrialization in the wake of World War I, which made it one of the only booming economies in the 1930s. Undoubtedly, this also made Communism more appealing in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
Correction: ...While certainly there was much violence and repression involved, Russia did undergo rapid industrialization in the "wake of World War II," which made it one of the only booming economies in the 1930s. Undoubtedly, this also made Communism more appealing in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
(Kindle Ed., p. 12)
In the wake of World War II, the Domino Theory thus led to the American policy of Containment. To stop the spread of Communism (and its eventual spread to the United States), it needed to be contained where it was; it could not, under any circumstances, be allowed to spread beyond where it already existed. The Domino Theory and the policy of Containment became guiding foreign policy principles for the United States throughout the Cold War. They led the United States to intervene in other nations’ affairs time and again. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union divided much of Europe, and some of the rest of the world, into spheres of influence. Since Russia had sacrificed so much more than the U.S. to end the war (far more civilian and combatant casualties and unspeakable damage to their infrastructure and land), there was no way that the U.S. could limit their role in the post-war world...
Correction: In the "end" of World War II, the Domino Theory thus led to the American policy of Containment. To stop the spread of Communism (and its eventual spread to the United States), it needed to be contained where it was; it could not, under any circumstances, be allowed to spread beyond where it already existed. The Domino Theory and the policy of Containment became guiding foreign policy principles for the United States throughout the Cold War. They led the United States to intervene in other nations’ affairs time and again. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union divided much of Europe, and some of the rest of the world, into spheres of influence. Since Russia had sacrificed so much more than the U.S. to end the war (far more civilian and combatant casualties and unspeakable damage to their infrastructure and land), there was no way that the U.S. could limit their role in the post-war world...
(Kindle Ed., p. 13)
...As Europe especially reeled in the wake of World War II, the United States and its allies in Europe (chiefly Great Britain) greatly feared that weaker nations were susceptible to falling to Communism. The widespread destruction and death, as well as resulting starvation and poverty, might make the doctrines of Communism appealing to a great many people...
Correction: ...As Europe especially reeled in the "end" of World War II, the United States and its allies in Europe (chiefly Great Britain) greatly feared that weaker nations were susceptible to falling to Communism. The widespread destruction and death, as well as resulting starvation and poverty, might make the doctrines of Communism appealing to a great many people...
(Kindle Ed., p. 33)
It was not long before the United States discovered these structures, again by spying on their island neighbor. They were terrified. Nuclear weapons so close to home was not something that U.S. citizens had experienced in the past, and Kennedy took a hard line...
Correction: It was not long before the United States discovered these structures, again by spying on its island neighbor. The American people were terrified. Nuclear weapons so close to home was not something they had experienced in the past, and Kennedy took a hard line...
(Kindle Ed., p. 33)
...Détente was an all-encompassing term that essentially meant that Cold War tensions and conflict would be scaled back...
Correction: ...Détente was an all-encompassing term that essentially meant Cold War tensions and conflict would be scaled back...
(Kindle Ed., p. 34)
...What was more, they did not adapt their tactics.
Correction: ...What was more, Americans did not adapt the Vietnamese tactics.
(Kindle Ed., p. 35)
...Also, Americans were also growing more and more discontented with the culture of conformity...
Correction: ...Also, Americans were growing more and more discontented with the culture of conformity...
(Kindle Ed., p. 37)
One of the most iconic moments of the Cold War 1970s was Nixon’s historic visit to China...
Correction: One of the most iconic moments of the Cold War in the 1970s was Nixon’s historic visit to China...
(Kindle Ed., p. 38)
...In some ways, the Iron Curtain came up just a little bit.
This line is the first and only that mentions the Iron Curtain. If the author had talked about the heartbreaking stories of the sever’/ separ’ated families in Germany and Korea with the Iron Certain shutting the borders between the two sides, this fine book would have become even better.
(Kindle Ed., p. 41)
...that did not mean that the Cold War “cooled off...”
Correction: ...it did not mean that the Cold War “cooled off...”
(or)
...that did not mean the Cold War “cooled off...”
(Kindle Ed., pp. 42-43)
Other crises peppered the 1980s before the end of the Cold War. Another major crisis occurred in the 1980s. While this was not well-known among civilians at the time, it was probably as dangerous as the Cuban Missile Crisis; at least the closest that the world had come to nuclear war since that event. It is known as the Able Archer Crisis and recently declassified documents have made us aware of it. During the Able Archer Crisis, America began exercises in preparation for nuclear war. The Soviets intercepted and observed what was going on. Because communication between the two countries was not good at the time, the Soviet Union did not attempt to contact the United States to find out what was going on, nor had the U.S. made the Soviets aware. Therefore, the Soviet government believed that the U.S. was actually readying itself for nuclear war. In retaliation, they too began to prepare to launch their weapon stores. Actual nuclear war was narrowly avoided when the two superpowers finally communicated and realized what was happening.
These two whole paragraphs better be revised/ edited or taken out for the quality of the book.
(Kindle Ed., p. 42)
...Even though the Cold War officially ended in1989...
A space is missing between in and 1989.
(Kindle Ed., p. 28)
Despite worries and attempts to undermine it, and despite the fact that it was antithetical in many ways to America’s own ideals, this cultural atmosphere would perpetuate well into the 1960s...
Nevertheless, some wise individuals with author'ity in their hands challenged this blind social atmosphere head on for the very America's own ideals' sake, and that made the country great anyway. Watch the mov'ie "Hidden Figures."
(Kindle Ed., p. 26)
...it also permeated home life and placed tremendous pressure on women especially. Women, whose chief role was wife and mother, were solely responsible for the physical, social, and moral health of their families. Put simply, this meant that if there was something “wrong” with any member of the family (if they failed to uphold the standards set for them by Cold War society), then it was the fault of the matriarch. This was one of the major problems with the culture of conformity, and would lead to the Feminist Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.
Great point: Yet, those biased believe it is NOT West-like, but something ori'ent[al]. Women and children have always been priorities when any danger ever approached a "normal" fam'ily. Y'all wanna talk about the hæ-stor'y of "anc'ient" Gr'ea/ Cor'ia/ Kor'ea, whose women had power and duty both in society and family, to com-pare/ -pair with that of Gr'eece or Rome, where women were not considered citizens, but mere properties?
(Kindle Ed., p. 37)
...China fell to Communism in 1949, and since then, relations between the United States and China were strained, with limited communications and trade. Nixon’s visit changed this. On the most basic level, it re-opened relations between the two major powers. However, it was far more significant. It showed that the U.S. could finally open talks and relations with a Communist nation apart from the Soviet Union. For the first time, America acknowledged that Communism did not automatically mean that a nation was allied with the Soviets. This was a major turning point in the Cold War. Partially because of Nixon’s visit to China, the Soviet Union also moved to soften relations with the United States. In another historic Cold War moment, Nixon and Brezhnev met...
Missing the important reason why the USA and PRC got closer: The near-all-out confrontation between the USSR and PRC in the 1960s. Washington was happy to exploit that opportunity to weaken the Soviet influence.
This book certainly has its shortcomings, I’d say again it is still a fine read, however, with fairly balanced points of view and relatively fine research works with necessary en-/ in-form’at-i’on for the readers of various backgrounds to learn this specific top'ic.
June 6, 2022
It was impressive how this book managed to pack a complex piece of history into a short space and explain it fairly well. However it was written more like a university essay and completely ignores anything negative about communism at all, instead focusing on the faults of the US and how they “thwarted” communism.
February 20, 2018
Did not finish it. The writing is below what I would expect and the analysis of the Cold War lacking, even to a beginning audience.
May 10, 2020
Lopsided. 90% of this book is about what the US did during those 4 decades, especially what it did wrong.
January 21, 2019
While reading the book I was wondering how simply life of Nations and people around the world get influenced or ruined by selfishness and cruelty of few other countries who believed and still believing in their fucking selves!
May 27, 2019
Cold War was indeed a pretty complex phenomenon. To present this complex set of events in such a simple manner is quite remarkable. Detailing suffers but that is how it could be in so few pages.
December 21, 2018
This is a popcorn history of the Cold War. First, this is very short which automatically means that it hasn't got much details about the various incidents occurred during more than half a century of war. This seems more like a very short summary that has been written in a hurry like the students preparing for the exam on the very last day. Respect to the author for efforts but the book didn't satisfy the details I was looking for. Being a history buff, I might be unfair in seeking detailed description of events and their various aspects, this book could have encompassed a lot more for a general reader.
July 22, 2020
A good read.
This 47 pages of history of cold war examines , Why it had started,events which leads to cold war,how it got shaped ,how it impacted the world politics, international Relations between countries,pe this cold war had impact on the life of the citizens of both the countries USA and USSR ,about the fear ,Korean war,Cuban crisis, Vietnam war,however , Afghanistan war is not given its due importance which finally led to the collapse of the USSR .The book ends with an important chapter on The Legacy of Cold war .
Overall , A very good book that has summarized the events of Cold War very nicely and also in detail wherever it was required.
This 47 pages of history of cold war examines , Why it had started,events which leads to cold war,how it got shaped ,how it impacted the world politics, international Relations between countries,pe this cold war had impact on the life of the citizens of both the countries USA and USSR ,about the fear ,Korean war,Cuban crisis, Vietnam war,however , Afghanistan war is not given its due importance which finally led to the collapse of the USSR .The book ends with an important chapter on The Legacy of Cold war .
Overall , A very good book that has summarized the events of Cold War very nicely and also in detail wherever it was required.
September 1, 2021
More biased than the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
December 3, 2017
The Cold War can arguably be called the longest war of the Twentieth Century. During World War I, Russia experienced a revolution that changed the biggest country in the world forever. Inspired by the writings, beliefs, and theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, a movement was started that would eventually overthrow the government, kill the Tsar and his family, and topple one of Europe’s oldest royal houses. Although technically the power was supposed to be with the people, a dictatorship was soon established.
The Second World War saw a change in the United States’ and western European policy when the Soviet Union became an ally of the allied forces fighting Germany and Japan. This change of bedfellows was a question of perceived danger versus real danger but was always a union wracked with distrust.
The United States and the Soviet Union came out of World War II as the two undisputed world powers. The Domino Theory was behind the West's mistrust of the communist ideology. This set the political lines and social climate for the next forty years. A government was either for or against; there was little chance of claiming neutrality. Although direct conflict never occurred, many wars were fought throughout the world with these two world powers as their catalyst.
The McCarthy Era of the 1950’s will go down in US history as one of the blackest. The fundamental rights, established at that nation’s inception, were suspended and violated. The Arms Race was another expensive and terrifying aspect of the Cold War.
This book is a short but informative missive that gives the reader a bird’s-eye view of a long and complicated conflict. Like all of the books in this series, further reading to fully understand the subject is a must.
The Second World War saw a change in the United States’ and western European policy when the Soviet Union became an ally of the allied forces fighting Germany and Japan. This change of bedfellows was a question of perceived danger versus real danger but was always a union wracked with distrust.
The United States and the Soviet Union came out of World War II as the two undisputed world powers. The Domino Theory was behind the West's mistrust of the communist ideology. This set the political lines and social climate for the next forty years. A government was either for or against; there was little chance of claiming neutrality. Although direct conflict never occurred, many wars were fought throughout the world with these two world powers as their catalyst.
The McCarthy Era of the 1950’s will go down in US history as one of the blackest. The fundamental rights, established at that nation’s inception, were suspended and violated. The Arms Race was another expensive and terrifying aspect of the Cold War.
This book is a short but informative missive that gives the reader a bird’s-eye view of a long and complicated conflict. Like all of the books in this series, further reading to fully understand the subject is a must.
November 20, 2019
O livro,embora de forma sucinta, faz uma boa avaliação do que foi a Guerra Fria e acerta em muitas de suas análises como por exemplo, quando afirma "Most recognized that World War I had been a contributing factor to the outbreak of World War II, therefore they also understood that the peace had to be very different."
A única ressalva que faço ao exposto no livro é quando ele analisa o papel da mulher no pós-guerra criticando o que chama de família tradicional, automaticamente dando guarida a teorias feministas:
"... If you were different, you might be a Communist. Thus, the phenomenon known as “Domestic Containment” emerged in the years after World War II. Just like the American government had a responsibility to contain Communism elsewhere in the world, all private citizens had a responsibility to contain Communism in their own lives, at home and in their communities. As previously presented, this led Americans to accuse each other of Communism and created a “witch hunt” atmosphere. However, it also permeated home life and placed tremendous pressure on women especially."
Mas isto é apenas um detalhe e cada um ao ler considera ou não este tipo de comentário, portanto, recomendo o livro como uma boa introdução à definição da Guerra Fria.
A única ressalva que faço ao exposto no livro é quando ele analisa o papel da mulher no pós-guerra criticando o que chama de família tradicional, automaticamente dando guarida a teorias feministas:
"... If you were different, you might be a Communist. Thus, the phenomenon known as “Domestic Containment” emerged in the years after World War II. Just like the American government had a responsibility to contain Communism elsewhere in the world, all private citizens had a responsibility to contain Communism in their own lives, at home and in their communities. As previously presented, this led Americans to accuse each other of Communism and created a “witch hunt” atmosphere. However, it also permeated home life and placed tremendous pressure on women especially."
Mas isto é apenas um detalhe e cada um ao ler considera ou não este tipo de comentário, portanto, recomendo o livro como uma boa introdução à definição da Guerra Fria.
September 19, 2018
There are many negative review in Goodreads, however, the book has done a great job to squeeze history of cold war and makes it like a capsule. It is only introduction of a complicated detailed history which will surely kindle reader's inquisitiveness to read more.
The book exposes hypocrisy, selfishness, dominance of US. The political leaders of America gave a very stereotyped lifestyle called "culture of conformity', as a tool of destruction of communism, where men would do all hard-work, women would be ideal home maker and raise kids. The Feminism movement evolved from that culture of conformity and many Asian countries imported it which created havoc in their culture due to contextual error.
In the name of elimination of communism, US created instability in many countries like Cuba, Vietnam, Iran etc. which spilled unnecessary bloods.
So, in nutshell, this book will glue readers and makes them inquisitive to know more about international politics, history of wars, political movements and this is the measuring tape of a book's usefulness.
The book exposes hypocrisy, selfishness, dominance of US. The political leaders of America gave a very stereotyped lifestyle called "culture of conformity', as a tool of destruction of communism, where men would do all hard-work, women would be ideal home maker and raise kids. The Feminism movement evolved from that culture of conformity and many Asian countries imported it which created havoc in their culture due to contextual error.
In the name of elimination of communism, US created instability in many countries like Cuba, Vietnam, Iran etc. which spilled unnecessary bloods.
So, in nutshell, this book will glue readers and makes them inquisitive to know more about international politics, history of wars, political movements and this is the measuring tape of a book's usefulness.
July 6, 2019
Perfect subject for this format
Hourly History is a great series that provides people interested in history such great resources. The interest in history has been on the rise in recent years and it has become one of my favorite things to learn about. I obtained 6 years of college credits before I realized how fascinating history was, so there are many areas that I don't have the slightest hint of knowledge about. I believe the best way to approach something that I know so little about, is by using a macro scope or start by getting a "big picture" understanding. This approach is good for all subjects, but is especially true for something like the Cold War. With Hourly History, I don't have to be intimidated by topics that are foreign to me. It helps me identify the areas that I want to dig deeper on.
Hourly History is a great series that provides people interested in history such great resources. The interest in history has been on the rise in recent years and it has become one of my favorite things to learn about. I obtained 6 years of college credits before I realized how fascinating history was, so there are many areas that I don't have the slightest hint of knowledge about. I believe the best way to approach something that I know so little about, is by using a macro scope or start by getting a "big picture" understanding. This approach is good for all subjects, but is especially true for something like the Cold War. With Hourly History, I don't have to be intimidated by topics that are foreign to me. It helps me identify the areas that I want to dig deeper on.
March 8, 2021
A primer overview of the Cold War period from its beginning after WWII up until the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is not an in-depth review of the Cold War period. Case in point: It is striking the author did not address the role the Middle East—specifically the Yom Kippur War of 1973 could have had in starting WWIII – changing the Cold War into a hot war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. For those that have forgotten what happened during the conflict, The U.S. at this time was actually placed on Defcon 3 (the highest state of readiness in peacetime) because both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. were saber rattling due to the U.S. supporting Israel and the U.S.S.R. supporting Egypt and their allies during the Yom Kippur conflict. Again, this booklet is as mentioned, more a primer of the topic at hand and not a scholarly endeavor of Cold War conflicts.
September 19, 2020
This book is a very good option to learn about a lot of things that really happened in the cold war. Especially for students like me who didn't find history interesting enough to remember anything!
A lot of things are given on a platter and it doesn't seem messy. The ending however, I found rather abrupt. As pointed out by someone else too, the Afghan war which lead to the fall of USSR (among other things) was not given its due in the book.
Coming to think of it, this war between the two "super powers" really did shape the future globally! It wouldn't be an understatement.
A lot of things are given on a platter and it doesn't seem messy. The ending however, I found rather abrupt. As pointed out by someone else too, the Afghan war which lead to the fall of USSR (among other things) was not given its due in the book.
Coming to think of it, this war between the two "super powers" really did shape the future globally! It wouldn't be an understatement.
July 4, 2018
I read this book to brush up on Joseph Stalin before reading Animal Farm which is an allegory based on the Russian Revolution of 1917 (Napoleon represents Stalin)
This was an interesting read on a Cold War that lasted for nearly 50 years.
Allies during the war, the United States and Russia quickly turned into enemies with Nukes!
They couldn't use them without killing billions so they used other countries as pawn pieces on an anti-communist chess board.
This was an interesting read on a Cold War that lasted for nearly 50 years.
Allies during the war, the United States and Russia quickly turned into enemies with Nukes!
They couldn't use them without killing billions so they used other countries as pawn pieces on an anti-communist chess board.
August 11, 2019
Cold War essentially was a dangerous game. The reason was that it was not fought at one place or even between actual initiators of the conflict. Indeed Cold war was a war of attrition but attrition of allies and satellite countries and regions. Cold War itself spanned over 4 decades and remnants can be seen now also. Hourly history does a great job of compressing the whole thing and presenting in crisp form.
August 20, 2020
Informative
So much of what is talked about happened when I was just a kid enjoying life in the 50's. Climbing trees, riding my bike, balling softball and playing in the creek none of this was in my thoughts. Yet it all had a great effect on my life. All this was going on. Conformity. People were afraid of being called a communist. Now they are afraid of being called a racist. History repeating itself? The cold war is still going on?
So much of what is talked about happened when I was just a kid enjoying life in the 50's. Climbing trees, riding my bike, balling softball and playing in the creek none of this was in my thoughts. Yet it all had a great effect on my life. All this was going on. Conformity. People were afraid of being called a communist. Now they are afraid of being called a racist. History repeating itself? The cold war is still going on?
December 1, 2022
The Cold War between the two superpowers, the USA and USSR started at the end of World War II and lasted more than forty years till the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.
It was interesting to read how it impacted people's lives. Because of the fear of being labeled a communist, people felt that they had to conform.
This concise book does an excellent job in giving us the background and covers the important historical facts.
It was interesting to read how it impacted people's lives. Because of the fear of being labeled a communist, people felt that they had to conform.
This concise book does an excellent job in giving us the background and covers the important historical facts.
March 15, 2023
This is NOT history!!!
I'm sure I have never read a more opinionated book that the author calls history.
Whoever the author is......no one claims authorship to any of these "history" books....
Pretty sure the author was educated in Stalingrad or Leningrad or maybe Moscow. Definitely a big supporter of Communism.
Stop calling these books history and just admit your biases and opinions are what you're writing
I'm sure I have never read a more opinionated book that the author calls history.
Whoever the author is......no one claims authorship to any of these "history" books....
Pretty sure the author was educated in Stalingrad or Leningrad or maybe Moscow. Definitely a big supporter of Communism.
Stop calling these books history and just admit your biases and opinions are what you're writing
May 15, 2024
When the Powerful are Fearful
The exploration of cold war mentality is fully encompassing. Decade by decade analysis makes it clearer. Events and magnitude are clearly identified with respective leaders. However, there is a lot illustrated on the US and very little on the Soviet Union.
Political leaders should read this to desist from holding humanity hostage to their ideologies.
Rated low for narrowing spectrum of coverage.
The exploration of cold war mentality is fully encompassing. Decade by decade analysis makes it clearer. Events and magnitude are clearly identified with respective leaders. However, there is a lot illustrated on the US and very little on the Soviet Union.
Political leaders should read this to desist from holding humanity hostage to their ideologies.
Rated low for narrowing spectrum of coverage.
February 4, 2019
Very nice and informative!!
I always had that doubt why US has involved into conflicts with many countries round the world and I finally found the answer which is the Cold war, thanks to this book.Very informative,very revealing about the impact it had round the world in the past and even today.....
I always had that doubt why US has involved into conflicts with many countries round the world and I finally found the answer which is the Cold war, thanks to this book.Very informative,very revealing about the impact it had round the world in the past and even today.....
March 30, 2024
Los libros de 'Hourly History' siempre han sido de mi agrado; compactos y muy informativos sobre temas en específico y éste no fue la excepción, 50 páginas dedicadas a los acontecimientos más importantes sobre la guerra fría de una manera breve y concisa. Siempre quedo con ganas de más, ya depende de cada lector en indagar más sobre el tema leído! 4/5
May 31, 2024
Short but enlightening
I like these “Begining to end…” history books because they let us grasp what the subject is about in a couple of hours. This one, is very clear and gives a very good insight on such a difficult and long period (40 years) that we lived through and shaped our way of thinking in many ways. Thankful it’s over!
I like these “Begining to end…” history books because they let us grasp what the subject is about in a couple of hours. This one, is very clear and gives a very good insight on such a difficult and long period (40 years) that we lived through and shaped our way of thinking in many ways. Thankful it’s over!
March 17, 2025
Clear and concise. A good, if brief, history
A good, clear history of one of the most divisive periods of the 20th Century. These brief histories don't go into too much detail, but give a good, broad outline of the main points but are usually still quite informative, despite their brevity.
A good, clear history of one of the most divisive periods of the 20th Century. These brief histories don't go into too much detail, but give a good, broad outline of the main points but are usually still quite informative, despite their brevity.
February 20, 2018
A good read with definite information
A very good read, a crash course on cold War. Indeed knowledgeable and informative. One can understand cold War, the causes and the aftermath impact with the help of this book.
A very good read, a crash course on cold War. Indeed knowledgeable and informative. One can understand cold War, the causes and the aftermath impact with the help of this book.
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