America, Russia, and The Cold War, 1945 - 1996 [Paperback]

Walter Lafeber (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070360642 | ISBN-13: 978-0070360648 | Publication Date: November 1, 1996 | Edition: 8th

Using extensive materials from both published and private sources, this text focuses on US/Soviet diplomacy to explain the causes and consequences of the Cold War. It identifies major policy-makers and explores major crises in the post-1945 period. The author also looks at how the Cold War was shaped by domestic events in both the USA and Soviet Union. Material new to this edition includes: a rewritten post-1989 final chapter; the rewriting of the events in the 1950s, the Lyndon Johnson presidency and the Reagan presidential years; and a stronger focus on Soviet/Russian developments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill College; 8th edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070360642
• ISBN-13: 978-0070360648
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent survey of superpower relations, July 26, 2000

By 

Jason Colby (Ithaca, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America, Russia, and The Cold War, 1945 - 1996 (Paperback)

LaFeber's book certainly deserves its place in the canon of Cold War scholarship. The writing is concise, accessible, and witty, while the scholarship is excellent. This book will be invaluable to anyone looking for an introduction to superpower relations in the Cold War era.

I must admit I am surprised to find LaFeber's work attacked from the "left" by the esteemed reviewer from Edgewood, Washington. After all, LaFeber has received criticism almost exclusively from the right. It is true, as the reviewer points out, that the book does not deal extensively with the Third World aspects of the Cold War. That is because the title of the book is not "The Complete History of the Cold War," but rather "America, Russia, and the Cold War."

The reviewer from Washington's heart is certainly in the right place. I agree that the Cold War was often experienced as a "Hot War" by the Southern Hemisphere. But LaFeber's book explicitly examines the United States and the Soviet Union during this era. The Third World civil wars and insurgencies of this period were seldom directly related to U.S.-Russian relations. The reviewer's examples of Vietnam and Nicaragua are good ones, but they are misplaced. He is aiming his barbs at the wrong historian. True, Noam Chomsky has led the effort to recognize Third World suffering in the Cold War era. But so has Walter LaFeber. I refer you especially to Inevitable Revolutions.

I applaud the reviewer's conviction. I only wish he would direct his criticisms at more legitimate targets, such as John Lewis Gaddis and Tony Smith.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive interpretation..., February 17, 2000

By 

J.Q. Adams - See all my reviews

This review is from: America, Russia, and The Cold War, 1945 - 1996 (Paperback)

Previous reviewers on Amazon.com have called LaFeber's opus 'Revisionist Junk' which only shows the ignorance of this reader who hasn't the guts to publish their name. It is unlikely that this person has even read the book. LaFeber presents with strong documentary evidence, particularly new evidence that has only recently been released in the US and former Soviet Union, that details the events that led the two countries into the cold war. These documents and other evidence do not portray the US as big and bad nor does it portary the USSR as the poor Russians, rather it is an even account of how misunderstandings on behalf of both countries led the two down the path of fifty years of cold war. LaFeber shows that security concerns, and economic concerns are part of one's security, led the two nations into conflict. Ideology is a small part of this conflict, and economics makes up a part of ideology. LaFeber shows how these mutual misunderstandings and continual distrust that had been growing between these two emerging powers since the end of the 19th century played as important part in the coming of the cold war as any 'traditional' sources. LaFeber's book is one of the most concise, readable, and accurate explanations of the Cold War available. It is a must read for anyone interested in this time period, and one should not be deterred by the ignorance of one who thinks that revisionist is a curse word and who's mind is shut by their own ideological beliefs.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book is GOOD, March 14, 2000

By 

Wynn (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America, Russia, and The Cold War, 1945 - 1996 (Paperback)

LaFeber presents an indepth analysis of the causes, events and results of the Cold War. The issues are discussed in coherant and logical manner, arguments are tight and well supported. The book offers much valuble insight to the cold war, especially for students studing the topic.