Synopses & Reviews
A handy guide to everything you need to know about the Cold War.
Synopsis
The Cold War was a crucial conflict in American history. At stake was whether the world would be dominated by the forces of totalitarianism led by the Soviet Union, or inspired by the principles of economic and political freedom embodied in the United States. The Cold War established America as the leader of the free world and a global superpower. It shaped U.S. military strategy, economic policy, and domestic politics for nearly 50 years.
In A Brief History of the Cold War, distinguished scholars Lee Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards Spalding recount the pivotal events of this protracted struggle and explain the strategies that eventually led to victory for freedom. They analyze the development and implementation of containment, detente, and finally President Reagan's philosophy: "they lose, we win." The Cold War teaches important lessons about statecraft and America's indispensable role in the world.
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About the Author
Lee Edwards, PhD, is a Distinguished Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, adjunct professor of politics at the Catholic University of America, and veteran of Goldwater's 1964 campaign for the presidency. He lives with his wife in Alexandria, VA.
Elizabeth Edwards Spalding, PhD, is director of the Washington Program at Claremont McKenna College. She received a BA from Hillsdale College and a MA and PhD from the University of Virginia.